Stop Raising The Minimum Wage & Stop Whining

$6.55 is far too low. Minimum wage in Australia is $14.31 as of this year, and most places pay around $20/h anyway.

And you can't judge people - ie. "Don't pop out kids", that is simply a stupid statement to make.

reply to post by VitriolAndAngst


I have never seen anyone that has so many economic facts wrong. Robert Reich is a known left-wing political hack that panders to the populists...like yourself.

Please get with the facts. The facts are that the minimum wage hurts the poor, and the people supporting it want to hurt the poor and help big business.

Your anti-globalization rant is off topic. Outsourcing is not evil. Its time people get out of a 1950's mindset and move into the knowledge economy.

The system is not going to fail, just because you desperately want it to. Oh noes! People in California bought into a real estate bubble - its a sign of the end! Give me a break.

Supporters of the minimum wage are supporters of big business and pandering to the poor on policies that give the illusion of helping when in fact they hurt everyone.

[edit on 29-7-2008 by ALightinDarkness]

reply to post by ALightinDarkness


Outsourcing is not bad when its a few specific jobs but when you do it for all our producing jobs its horrible for the economy and we are now feeling the burn. The fact is we are not a producing nation anymore we are a consumer nation. We have HUGE export deficits and we cant even have a strong dollar if we wanted to because the interest payments we owe on all the borrowed money will crush us. We are also a debtor nation not a creditor nation like in the past. So if anyone is still living in the 50s its you. We need to become a producing nation again and quit passing these IOUs all over the world and start making the GDP actually mean something besides how much we consume.


[edit on 29-7-2008 by mybigunit]

Why have minimum wage in the first place?

Here in Norway we dont have it, you essentially have to negotiate your pay with the employer, unless the employer has his own set of wage rules he follows.

Originally posted by Manincloak
$6.55 is far too low. Minimum wage in Australia is $14.31 as of this year, and most places pay around $20/h anyway.

And you can't judge people - ie. "Don't pop out kids", that is simply a stupid statement to make.

Setting minimum wage is like telling an employer you HAVE to pay this person so much for being born. An employer should be allowed to pay ppl for the quality of work and the effort put into the work. Someone who is willing to settle for being a janitor should not make the same amount as someone managing an office. Sorry, but managing is a higher skill than mopping and dumping trash.

I clean my house all the time for free. There is no skill required in mopping my floors and washing some windows. If an employer thinks a janitor is going over and beyond, he can pay in accordance. If the janitor thinks the employer is being unfair, he can quit and get another job or figure out a way to work for himself.

People have the right to tell a potential employer, this is what I am willing to work for just as an employer should have the right to say, I won't pay anymore than this until you have proven yourself to me.

And yeah, when those of us working are picking up the slack for other ppl's kids, then I would hope that those who can't afford the kids would use a little intelligence in reproducing.

because this thing is 27 pages long, I stopped at page 7 or 8. sorry.

I wanted to make sure the following points were made, even if I risk being redundant:

1. 'poor people shouldn't have kids, they should use protection/abortion'

so, are you saying you support funding family planning, and keeping abortion legal, or possibly making abortion covered by medicaid? Because the programs we did have were cut all to hell. and also, sex ed in schools is nonexistent. I know, I was still in school when they started taking that stuff out.

2. 'it's always a poor person's fault that their life is messed up'

no it isn't. many are born into poverty. sorry to burst your bubble, but all americans aren't born Middle Class, and told to 'go out there and BE somebody'.
In fact, back when I was a poor kid just got my GED, I wanted to talk to the Workforce Development (formerly Job Service) woman about getting help via all these 'programs, that are out there' to go to college. I was told that I wouldn't be elligible, also was advised not to go to school, as I couldn't afford it if I did use the programs I did qualify for.

3. 'minimum wages increased mean pay cuts for the middle class'

so you think if you give up a few bucks to help out the guy under you, you'll be hurting? wait until that same guy robs your ass at gunpoint to feed his children.
If you don't have a living wage, and you don't have adequate social programs, then the poor will simply take it out of your ass.(please don't mod me, that is there to hammer the point in)

4. 'Low paying jobs aren't hard work, and don't require skill'
LULZ.
My mom did low-paying jobs for the last 30 years, and no-one EVER had to stand over her shoulder. and nobody ever had to stand over my shoulder either.
The Lowest Paying Jobs are often the hardest. if you don't believe me, you just go and get a job at any number of low-paying places, like say, a non-unionized manufacturing job. we have those in the west and midwest.
My dad died from a heart attack after a job I did with him in New Mexico loading Medical File cabinets, which were not emptied, and and had concrete in the bottoms.
that day I got my dad's check. it was for about $15, for that morning.
the job killed my dad, and all I got was 15 bucks.
and a physically disabled mother to take care of. By Myself.

so I think the middle classes need to suck it up and help people out so that kind of thing doesn't happen anymore.

there weren't 'programs out there' for me. I didn't go out and have any kids, and I didn't get in trouble with the law or anything.

all I did was a minimum wage job with no benefits and no regulations.
and that pretty much altered the course of my life for the last 6 years.

I did work my ass off in factories and restaurants and construction and whatever else, while my mom had to wait 5 years to get social security.
and that's only $600 a month.

during those 5 years I PAID FOR EVERYTHING. the government was zero help. we didn't 'qualify'. we 'slipped throught he cracks'.

no, I didn't any family to help me. the family I did have were poor working people like me.

so, for all that, I'm still going to make it, even though last year I lost the tips of my two middle fingers to a 100 year old shear in a Machine Shop. one of those 'Jobs that pay what the work is worth'.
I think my fingers and my dad's life were worth a hell of a lot more than $5.85 or even $10.

but like I said, I'm making it, and I'm not complaining, I just don't want my future kids to have to live in a world where that kind of thing can even possibly happen, much less routinely happen.

The past is past and the slave shops at least here in America are gone. If people think they are worth more then what they make then prove it by getting with the program. The American dream is alive and well and anyone, "ANYONE" can make their dreams come true. The only problem is they don't want to put forth the effort and hard work to do it or they want to lay blame for their excuse to not do it. People make more than minimum wage because they have proved their selves and work hard. They also don't stick around if the job won't take them anywhere.

Originally posted by MegaTherion
1. 'poor people shouldn't have kids, they should use protection/abortion'

so, are you saying you support funding family planning, and keeping abortion legal, or possibly making abortion covered by medicaid? Because the programs we did have were cut all to hell. and also, sex ed in schools is nonexistent. I know, I was still in school when they started taking that stuff out.

Or..... here's a fascinating concept. How about they exercise some self control and keep their pants zipped and their legs closed?

2. 'it's always a poor person's fault that their life is messed up'

It is their fault that it remains in a messed up state. It certainly is not my fault or other ppl's fault if your life is messed up, so I am not sure why you would be owed a certain amount just because you might be starting out poor. In America you CAN change your situation, but when this country is completely overrun by socialism, then all of us have lost the opportunity we have been given by our founding fathers.


3. 'minimum wages increased mean pay cuts for the middle class'

so you think if you give up a few bucks to help out the guy under you, you'll be hurting?

I AM SERIOUSLY BAFFLED BY PPL'S MENTALITY!!! Why does one person who has been there longer, proven themself, and has more skill HAVE to owe another person anything? Why does a boss not have the right to set payment for HIS workers based on what he sees fit for his company? WHY DO PPL HAVE THE MENTALITY THEY ARE OWED ANYTHING??????????

but like I said, I'm making it, and I'm not complaining, I just don't want my future kids to have to live in a world where that kind of thing can even possibly happen, much less routinely happen.

And I don't want my children to live in a country that was meant for ppl who are willing to take personal responsibility but has turned into a socialist state. I don't want my kids having to give up their potential and their money in order to pick up the slack for your kids. I don't want all my earnings that I have achieved through hard work, determination, and using my brain to be handed over to other ppl's kids when it belongs to me and my offspring!!!

reply to post by justamomma


in reply to your comment on item 1. :
how's that workin' out for ya?

about this 'me me me' stuff:

ever hear of social responsibility and CIVIC DUTY?
you obviously don't understand the concept of GOVERNMENT.

we all put our money in the pot so as to help each other. that's called Taxation.

so, if you think you have no responsibility for anyone else, and no one has responsibility for you, then you don't get to use MY police force, that I paid for with MY tax dollars.

you have to go buy your own cop. you don't get to use anything public, because you don't think anyone needs a hand up or is owed anything.

I and my children and your children are tax payers and future tax-payers.

my parents and grand parents and great grand parents on and on and on
were ALSO tax payers.

therefore my family has earned the right to public help, because we paid our taxes.

like I said, if you believe in 'Standing on your own two feet' to such a great degree, then you just go buy yourself your OWN COP, your OWN FIREMAN, your OWN EMT, and you'll need all the cars and weapons and tools for them.
and you'll have to feed them, and their kids, and you'll also be needing a lot of other stuff, unless you live on a self-sufficient little island somewhere.

so let me know when you stop spending MY money on YOUR protection.

I don't need to be paying for YOUR kids safety or schools and I don't need to be paying for YOUR retirement, or any of the other public services you feel are OWED to you.

reply to post by Solarskye


I am a living testament to the American Dream.

I started with less than nothing and worked my way pretty far up the food chain for a 24 year old.

however, lest anyone think I've retracted my EVIL COMMUNIST AGENDA (snicker), I believe in helping other people get there too.

people with no initiative, it is their fault for their position.

however, saying that opportunity is available for everyone is a little naive.

if it's there, maybe some people need more help finding it, maybe curcumstances aren't always in your control.

Originally posted by MegaTherion

in reply to your comment on item 1. :
how's that workin' out for ya?

considering that I have taken responsibility for my two sons, I'd say pretty good!!

about this 'me me me' stuff:

ever hear of social responsibility and CIVIC DUTY?
you obviously don't understand the concept of GOVERNMENT.

we all put our money in the pot so as to help each other. that's called Taxation.

so, if you think you have no responsibility for anyone else, and no one has responsibility for you, then you don't get to use MY police force, that I paid for with MY tax dollars.

you have to go buy your own cop. you don't get to use anything public, because you don't think anyone needs a hand up or is owed anything.

uhm, about the police officer bit Fine w/ me so long as you keep you and your kids hands out of my honey pot!!

I am all for helping those I trust and who are my family and friends. But to have my money taken away and out of my control to be abused in the way it is IS wrong. You don't understand the original principles this country was based on obviously.

None can love freedom but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license, which never hath more scope than under tyrants. ~ John Milton

When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic. ~ Ben Franklin

Repeal that [welfare] law, and you will soon see a change in their manners. ... Six days shalt thou labor, though one of the old commandments long treated as out of date, will again be looked upon as a respectable precept; industry will increase, and with it plenty among the lower people; their circumstances will mend, and more will be done for their happiness by inuring them to provide for themselves, than could be done by dividing all your estates among them. ~ Ben Franklin


Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. ~ Ben Franklin

A society that puts equality...ahead of freedom will end up with neither equality nor freedom. ~ Milton Friedman

If you want a Big Brother, you get all that comes with it. ~ Erich Fromm

Now those who seek absolute power, even though they seek it to do what they regard as good, are simply demanding the right to enforce their own version of heaven on earth, and let me remind you they are the very ones who always create the most hellish tyranny. ~ Barry Goldwater


NOW: Let us look at what Adolf Hitler had to say about what some of you are pushing.

The National Government will regard it as its first and foremost duty to revive in the nation the spirit of unity and cooperation. It will preserve and defend those basic principles on which our nation has been built. It regards Christianity as the foundation of our national morality, and the family as the basis of national life.


Believe me, National Socialism would not be worth anything if it were to be confined to Germany and did not secure the rule of the superior race over the whole world for at least one or two thousand years.

Society's needs come before the individual's needs.

And now a word from another admitted communist, vladimir illich :

The way to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation. (the bourgeoisie is the middle class btw)

While the State exists, there can be no freedom. When there is freedom there will be no State.

From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.
~ karl marx

The education of all children, from the moment that they can get along without a mother's care, shall be in state institutions at state expense.
~ karl marx

Against individualism, the fascist conception is for the State; and it is for the individual in so far as he coincides with the State, which is the conscience and universal will of man... ~ Mussolini

In our dreams, people yield themselves with perfect docility to our molding hands. The present education conventions of intellectual and character education fade from their minds, and, unhampered by tradition, we work our own good will upon a grateful and responsive folk. We shall not try to make these people, or any of their children, into philosophers, or men of science. We have not to raise up from them authors, educators, poets or men of letters. We shall not search for great artists, painters, musicians nor lawyers, doctors, preachers, politicians, statesmen -- of whom we have an ample supply. The task is simple. We will organize children and teach them in a perfect way the things their fathers and mothers are doing in an imperfect way. ~ JD Rockefeller


Now come again w/ what you were saying about civic duty??


OH and in light of the last quote, let's quickly look at one more statement by one of our founding fathers:

The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. ~ John Adams

[edit on 29-7-2008 by justamomma]

Originally posted by MegaTherion

so let me know when you stop spending MY money on YOUR protection.

I don't need to be paying for YOUR kids safety or schools and I don't need to be paying for YOUR retirement, or any of the other public services you feel are OWED to you.

You are not spending your money on my protection, you are spending your money on all of our enslavement. thanks a lot

And I quite agree w/ your last statement! just one thing.. I don't feel that I am owed anything.. not by you, not by joe bloe and certainly not by the government. What I am owed in life is what I got inside my mother's womb. everything else, I must and have worked for!



[edit on 29-7-2008 by justamomma]

reply to post by justamomma


I can't believe you say I'm paying for your enslavement.

you just try Anarchy for a week or so.

with no medicines, no system at all?

you really think the world would be better as a medeival society?

because that's what you are proposing, and that leads to Feudalism.

the ultimate end of Conservative thought and Capitalism, in the extreme, is Feudalism.

you want slaves, do you?

that's what happens when the employer picks the wage.

not having a minimum wage is a slippery slope to slavery and indentured servtude.

maybe I'll employ your kids and make them work for pennies a day, 20 hours a day?

and toss 'em out the back door when they aren't productive anymore.

it's not my responsibility.

By thinking you are somehow separate from reality, that is all of us and your environment, you are being not only childish in your notions, but also extremely dangerous to society.

but I'm not going to argue with you anymore.

you just have it your way with this Anarchy of yours, this statelessness, and see how you like Chinese Rule.

I have never said that all capitalism and all socialism are right, or wrong.

there must be a balance.

If you don't care for anyone other than just yourself, or just your family, then no one is going to bail you out when you need help.

in fact, if the markets crash, and your job goes away, don't come around my place looking for a job, or looking for a handout, I'll just sit back and laugh.

do you understand what I'm getting at?
probably not.

just go dig up another 30 quotes.

let Dead People think your thoughts for you.

Originally posted by MegaTherion

I can't believe you say I'm paying for your enslavement.

Whether you believe it or not, I said it and I meant it.

you just try Anarchy for a week or so.

I will take anarchy over tyranny any day.

you really think the world would be better as a medeival society?

because that's what you are proposing, and that leads to Feudalism.

Hmm.... you may want to go get your eyes checked. Not sure where you read that I said we would be better off as a medeival society.

the ultimate end of Conservative thought and Capitalism, in the extreme, is Feudalism.

Free market capitalism is the way to go!

you want slaves, do you?

Are you smoking crack? Where did you get that idea?

that's what happens when the employer picks the wage.

slave:

1. a person held in servitude as the chattel of another
2. one that is completely subservient to a dominating influence

In free market capatilism one person is free to set the price he is willing to pay for the service of another while the other person is free to refuse to work for those wages. That doesn't sound like slavery to me.

Now forcing an employer to have a minimum wage amount for those working under him sounds closer to slavery in my opinion. Telling ppl that they must pay a federal income tax or they will be jailed sounds a little closer to slavery.

not having a minimum wage is a slippery slope to slavery and indentured servtude.

Actually having a minimum wage is a slippery slope to slavery. Go educate yourself please before you try to come at it from this angle again w/ me.

You are asking the gov't to set the standards in one area, rest assured they are happy to do so because they want you to beg for their help in that area knowing that it will give them the right to set standards in others.

maybe I'll employ your kids and make them work for pennies a day, 20 hours a day? and toss 'em out the back door when they aren't productive anymore.

From your previous and recent posts, I don't doubt you would do this. If it were to happen today though, they could easily shove the finger in your face and go work somewhere else or for themselves.

By the time they are adults though, I am sure you ppl will have had your way and they will be paying this very price for in not doing so, they could risk being thrown into jail.

it's not my responsibility.

Way to express the wave of the socialist system that is taking over!! bravo.

Unless you mean that my kids individual welfare is not your responsibility and in that case, I will agree with you 110%. Keep your hands and your ideas to yourself around them!

By thinking you are somehow separate from reality, that is all of us and your environment, you are being not only childish in your notions, but also extremely dangerous to society.

Again, I would set down whatever it is you are smoking and really think about what you have said here. You are correct in a sense.. I am dangerous to "society" because I believe in respecting the individual and the property that belongs to the individual.

but I'm not going to argue with you anymore.

You probably shouldn't since you are either very confused w/ this indoctrination of socialist democracy or it is what you are pushing for in a country that was not founded on such BS ways of thinking.

you just have it your way with this Anarchy of yours, this statelessness, and see how you like Chinese Rule.

I'll give you $1 to go buy a clue........ how's that for helping my fellow citizens, AND it will be given by me rather than stolen from me.

I have never said that all capitalism and all socialism are right, or wrong.

there must be a balance.

Well, when you ask those in power to set standards for you and to give handouts, there will hardly be a balance. Again, just give it a few years and then let's talk about how well this worked out for you.

If you don't care for anyone other than just yourself, or just your family, then no one is going to bail you out when you need help.

Well, I am certainly not going to look to the government to bail me out of any situations bc it always will come with a hardcore price. Study history.

in fact, if the markets crash, and your job goes away, don't come around my place looking for a job, or looking for a handout, I'll just sit back and laugh.

I don't even know you. Why would I come to you for a job or a handout.

Way to practice your principles btw.

Oh, and it won't matter soon what you would or wouldn't be giving anyone bc soon your federal gov't, the country to which you are a citizen, will be dictating all that for you.

do you understand what I'm getting at?
probably not.

Oh, I am crystal clear on what you are getting at. The sad thing is it is quite obvious you are not. AGain, in a few years you will understand what you were saying. By then, I am afraid it will be too late though.

just go dig up another 30 quotes.

let Dead People think your thoughts for you.

If you insist!! (I'll give you a few, but 30 is more than I care to stick up)

Be not intimidated... nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretense of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice. ~ John Adams


It should be your care, therefore, and mine, to elevate the minds of our children and exalt their courage; to accelerate and animate their industry and activity; to excite in them an habitual contempt of meanness, abhorrence of injustice and inhumanity, and an ambition to excel in every capacity, faculty, and virtue. If we suffer their minds to grovel and creep in infancy, they will grovel all their lives. ~ John Adams


The laws of man may bind him in chains or may put him to death, but they never can make him wise, virtuous, or happy. ~ John Quincy Adams

All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
~ Samuel Adams

The tyranny of a multitude is a multiplied tyranny. ~ Edmund Burke

Driven from every other corner of the earth, freedom of thought and the right of private judgment in matters of conscience, direct their course to this happy country as their last asylum. ~ Samuel Adams

No government ought to exist for the purpose of checking the prosperity of its people or to allow such a principle in its policy. ~ Edmund Burke


When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property. ~ Thomas Jefferson




[edit on 29-7-2008 by justamomma]

Originally posted by justamomma




You are not spending your money on my protection, you are spending your money on all of our enslavement. thanks a lot

And I quite agree w/ your last statement!

just one thing.. I don't feel that I am owed anything.. not by you, not by joe bloe and certainly not by the government. What I am owed in life is what I got inside my mother's womb. everything else, I must and have worked for!

But you still had help from family and friends which you admitted see the hypocrisy in this? I sure as hell do. If you were all into the I need no help, its all on me idea you would have turned their help down or not have asked for it.

PS i think you were asked twice in this thread what exactly you do for a living ohh self employed one. And it still hasnt been answered I think you are full of ,, well you know. You are full of $%$%


Me? Im in the party rental business. I rent out party tents, and equipment for weddings, festivals, get togethers and stuff .

[edit on 29-7-2008 by forthepeople]

Run this idea out to it's extreme and see how it works. Why don't we just cut to the chase and set minimum wage at $1,000,000 ( 1 million dollars) a year? That way we'd all be millionaires right? Why not? Well, because it devalues the dollar. A burger and fries would cost you $500 - $1,000 if you got paid that much? Why? Because it would mean that the owner would have to spend $3 million a year just to employ a shift of 3 workers.

I suspect that the minimum wage hike is simply a liberal tactic to make the poor feel better. "Yeah! I got a raise". Right, but the price of everything just went up. Eventually mid-level employees will get a cost of living allowance raise, and managers will get paid more to keep up. The final result will be that the same cost ratio will be in place for everyone. It's just a shell game.

Originally posted by dbates
Run this idea out to it's extreme and see how it works. Why don't we just cut to the chase and set minimum wage at $1,000,000 ( 1 million dollars) a year? That way we'd all be millionaires right? Why not? Well, because it devalues the dollar. A burger and fries would cost you $500 - $1,000 if you got paid that much? Why? Because it would mean that the owner would have to spend $3 million a year just to employ a shift of 3 workers.

I suspect that the minimum wage hike is simply a liberal tactic to make the poor feel better. "Yeah! I got a raise". Right, but the price of everything just went up. Eventually mid-level employees will get a cost of living allowance raise, and managers will get paid more to keep up. The final result will be that the same cost ratio will be in place for everyone. It's just a shell game.

The price of everything is going up dbates and wages are not.....how do you solve that one?

[edit on 29-7-2008 by mybigunit]

Originally posted by forthepeople

But you still had help from family and friends which you admitted see the hypocrisy in this? I sure as hell do. If you were all into the I need no help, its all on me idea you would have turned their help down or not have asked for it.

Well, "admitted" implies some sort of shame and I was never ashamed. I would have been more ashamed stealing from strangers than accepting graciously the voluntary help from family and friends. And mostly the help came in the way of being able to pick brains for ideas, although there was certainly monetary help. But I have done the same for them and for others.

I am also hardly against seeking help from non profit charities. There are many that ppl can go to for help w/ food, clothes, and bills. They are funded by private donations of ppl wanting to help others.

But food stamps and medicaid, along w/ other such programs is stealing bc that money is not voluntarily given. It is taken from ppl's income that should they not pay, they will risk being thrown into jail.

PS i think you were asked twice in this thread what exactly you do for a living ohh self employed one. And it still hasnt been answered I think you are full of ,, well you know. You are full of $%$%

Because I didn't answer to your satisfaction, I am full of $%$%? First off, I don't think it is anyone's business necessarily and not answering hardly makes me full of $%$%. HOWEVER... I have answered this question. I am almost positive it was on this thread and if not, then it was on another thread. If you have this overwhelming desire to know, go find it.

Me? Im in the party rental business. I rent out party tents, and equioment for weddings, get togethers and stuff and i pay my laborers good money cause im not stingy.

And they work hard make me a lot of money setting up huge tents, tabes and chairs and i share the wealth.

Bravo for you!! You want a cookie or a cracker for your efforts!

Actually I think that would be fun. My ex wanted to do the same thing (only he wanted to do it on his own terms meaning start his own business) which I encouraged him to do so regardless of the sacrifices it would entail. He chose to continue in the job that he was unhappy in, which ultimately was his choice and I respected and supported him in.

But seriously, what is the point what I do or what you do so long as we are relying on ourselves and not the gov't and other ppl's tax money for our personal benefits?

reply to post by mybigunit

It's true, but raising the minimum wage doesn't help anything. It just accelerates the price jump in products and services. It's the equivalent of taking air out of your left tire when your right tire is running low. If you just focus on the tires on the right side you'll feel better about the situation. If you're looking at the whole picture you'll see that it accomplishes nothing.

The overall increase in goods is more about energy costs than anything. At best this is a (very) short-term solution.

Originally posted by dbates
reply to post by mybigunit

 

It's true, but raising the minimum wage doesn't help anything. It just accelerates the price jump in products and services. It's the equivalent of taking air out of your left tire when your right tire is running low. If you just focus on the tires on the right side you'll feel better about the situation. If you're looking at the whole picture you'll see that it accomplishes nothing.

The overall increase in goods is more about energy costs than anything. At best this is a (very) short-term solution.

Actually as Ive pointed out earlier in this thread its the opposite. If you look at history inflation has come first and wage hikes second. Raising wages dont cause inflation government spending and the fed causes inflation. In fact minimum wages NEVER keep up with inflation. If minimum wage was to be where inflation (inflation is purchasing power) is today (To me minimum wage = a living wage) then it should be at $10 to $12 an hour. But history is on my side on this one. I know what you are saying and you are right that if we were to raise the wage to $20.00 an hour that would be inflationary but it has never happened. Never has minimum wage hikes caused inflation. Always the Opposite.

[edit on 29-7-2008 by mybigunit]