The Minimum Wage Debate - Why We Can't Have Nice Things
I've been following this topic closely because, quite frankly, every politician who has made a comment on the matter seems to have their head so far up their own arse they see sunshine. Obama's recent executive order for federal contractors in essence does nothing, another neutered attempt of this moron to make a sweeping change that ends up actually doing nothing. His attempts to influence congress to change the national minimum wage to $10.10 fortunately, at this point, seems to be nothing more than a pipe dream. More political floundering and flourishing for this failed president for him to point blindly and shout about how the Republicans have sabotaged him yet again. But I digress. Obama's recent actions have merely shone the spotlight on the issue of minimum wage yet again, and has allowed some of the scum of the nation a soapbox. Some speak about an awakening of the workers in an almost Marx-esque movement. I only wish their thinking was half as sophisticated. Instead we are dealing with morons like this young man. Not only is it his "right" to be paid a higher wage, but he seems confused as to why working 14-24 hours a week at KFC doesn't provide him with a wage to move out of his father's house where he lives with his girlfriend and two children. This has got to be some sort of joke, right? No, sir, an entry level fast food job will not even come close to supporting your family of four. It never has, it never should, and it never will.
I've worked plenty of dead end entry level jobs. You get promoted when you learn new skills and become more valuable. Most of the times these promotions come with extra responsibilities related to your skills and rarely with an increase in authority. Proficiency in a second language, speed/productivity, interpersonal communication skills, technological proficiency, all provide employees with adjusted and increased compensation. It's the basic incentive offered for workers to become better workers, make more money, and at the same time do whatever the business does in a better, more profitable way. No doubt some companies do it better than others, but the basic logic makes sense.
I'll leave it up to you, dear reader, to read what the media has to say about the issue instead of rehashing their points regarding franchise standards and the national debate.
Why is this issue so important? Because Obama's crusade against small business and working people has been masked, in the traditional democratic way, as appearing to be in favor of small business and the working people. The American dream is an abstract, almost ridiculous concept that we often reference in regards to business and entrepreneurship in these United States. The basic precepts, that anyone can come to this nation and through hard work and dedication make a great living for themselves, is often and rightly challenged by those who recognize that our society and economic model is more complicated than that. Regardless, the concept has some merit. I've never heard of anyone except the lucky few lottery winners who come into large amount of money by accident. Few could argue with the logic that hard work and dedication provides a greater chance of financial success than not. We are witnessing an end to that thinking. I don't want to use buzzwords such as socialism or communism because that's disingenuous, but we do seem to be witnessing a dramatic change in attitude. People, fast food workers, seem to believe that holding a job -any job- and working part time hours entitles them to the American dream.
The Obama administration has sabotaged this principle. It has created disincentives to working more and set up barriers to improvement.
Regulation provides barriers to business.
Minimum wage increases > less workers afforded > layoffs
Minimum wage increases > business costs increase > prices in general increase > inflation
AHCA defines full time employment as <30 hours/week
Less full time work
Hour caps > working 40 hours a week, a standard work week, is now a 'benefit' instead of an expectation > businesses don't want to pay for the extra benefits, cap hours, hire more part time workers > decrease in unemployment > decrease average income
Corporations are still people
Enough said. Big business and special interests, the people Obama swore would play no part in Washington or politics, now have more influence than ever
If the fast food strike happens I hope McDonalds, KFC, and Burger King do the right thing and fire everyone who participates without hesitation. You are a fast food worker. You are replaceable. You are entitled to nothing.
It's a shame the Republicans can't do at least something right by providing a viable alternative. Maybe when they stop nominating out of touch, elderly white men more concerned with fighting a losing battle regarding abortion and gay marriage than winning votes something can be done about the ridiculous state of affairs 8 years of this imbecile Obama has imposed on this nation. Somehow, though, I doubt it.
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Originally Posted by Markas
