Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Not Like Things Used to Be

During the convention this week I've heard the $15 minimum wage idea voiced several times. I don't know what it is in your state, but I think nationally it has to be a minimum of $7.25, which in my opinion is pitiful. I believe Senator Ted Cruz has said he proposes to do away with the minimum wage to help small business owners. I say if your profit is at the expense of paying your employees a fair wage you don't need to be in business.

I believe the minimum wage is something like $14 in Oregon or at least we're stair stepping our way to that. Also I've heard said a number of times this week that no person in America should live in poverty if they are working a full time job. I agree with that, but I'm not real sure what defines poverty. More than money I suspect.

Looking at the paper this morning I see that in Seattle the average rent is $2,031 per month. In Portland it was $1,764 per month, and in San Francisco it was nearly $3,400 per month.

Both our children graduated college with jobs that paid enough they could rent an apartment on their own with no roommates sharing the rent. I doubt that's possible for a lot of graduating college students today.

I know there's the argument of starting at the bottom and working up but what defines bottom? If a person works 40 hours a week at $15 are they living above poverty level, especially if they have to pay their own healthcare? What if they're a single parent?

I'm very confused by all this talk. I think I understand why people are frustrated over wages. Republicans oppose unions and want to keep the minimum wage low for the benefit of businesses. What happens to people working full time jobs trying to make a living wage if Republicans get their wish?

What happens to workers who work 40 hour weeks at minimum wage and still see being self supporting out of their reach?

I'm not talking about people on welfare, I'm talking about working people.

It's enough to make giving up and depending on government subsidies look inviting, especially if minimum wage is $7.25.

What do you think about all this?

16 comments:

  1. I was curious, so I googled the federal poverty level. It starts at $11,770 for one person and increases by about $4,000 for each additional person in the family. I don't know how anyone could be expected to live on such little money. The federal poverty level is used to determine eligibility for federal programs.

    In NY, the minimum wage will increase to $11 an hour this December, and eventually increase to $15 by the year 2018. $11 an hour works out to be about $23,000 a year.

    It's a reminder to not take for granted the financial security that we have. It also means that charitable organizations can use our support, whether it is donations, money, or time. It has been my experience that those who are disabled, have a mental illness or who function cognitively with a limited capacity are the groups that are most vulnerable and most likely to fall into this category of poverty.

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    1. This is what happens when politicians stop seeing the faces of people and see only $$$$.

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  2. Here in Michigan the minimum wage is $8.50 as of January, up from six something. New hires in the auto industry that used to be considered good skilled trade jobs are now starting between $17 and $19 in a two-tier system with older workers getting more. A result of the bankruptcy. When Trump says that we need to lower wages in America to compete on the world market he's crazy. Corporate greed needs to be addressed to give better wages to the little guy. The golden parachutes CEOS get is truly disgusting.

    One thing Hillary wants to do is make in harder to outsource jobs overseas to factories that are violating human rights and fair-trade standards which will make their goods cost more so our factories and compete on a more even footing.

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    1. I'm not opposed to all wealth but I strongly oppose wealth made by not paying employees a fair wage that allows them to properly support a family and provide healthcare for their families.

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  3. You've got things right here. Cruz's idea is just plain slavery. Cruz obviously expects people to work for nothing. You're right. Any business that can't afford to pay minimum wages should not be in business.

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    1. I can only hope something ends Senator Cruz's time in government before we have to deal with him again in 2020.

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  4. If you think of it this way. Walmart has "had" to raise their prices because they are forced to pay minimum wage now. We are paying more so employees can still live below the poverty line but three Waltons—Rob, Jim, and Alice (and the various entities that they control)—will receive an estimated $3.1 billion in Walmart dividends from their majority stake in the company. (from walmart1percent.org). That gives you pause to consider.

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    1. Exactly the reason I shop at Walmart only as a last resort and feel guilt ridden every time I enter the doors of one of their stores.

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  5. The minimum wage in Washington state is $9.47. Seattle passed a $15 minimum wage to be phased in, currently at $11. This is not yet a living wage in our high cost of living city.

    If we are to truly provide a living wage for full time employment, we will all need to share the cost. Prices of goods and services will go up.

    When we traveled in the Scandinavian countries, we did not tip, except to round up to the nearest Kroner.This was because the waiters and service providers all made a living wage. Eating out was more expensive, but you knew you were paying people who worked hard for a living.

    I do feel that a blanket $15 minimum wage is not fair, since in low coat areas, this would be a windfall and compete with beginning professional jobs, like beginning teachers, for instance. But then teacher salaries are way too low.

    I am in favor of raising the minimum wage nationally to at least $10 per hour, and then having local governments raise it higher as fits the cost of living.

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    1. I agree with your point about a national minimum wage of $10. IIn Mississippi $10 might be about equal to $15 on the wast coast.

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  6. I think we are due for a major correction in our economy. Henry Ford, I believe, paid his workers well not out of the goodness of his heart but so that he could sell his employees cars.

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    1. Had not heard that about Henry Ford. Hope I can remember it long enough to use it. Makes good sense to me.

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  7. There is no way I could pay rent in the PNW. Thank goodness I own. $8.50 minimum wage here in Arkansas. Olga makes a good point and Henry was ahead of his time. If business only realized that if the work force can barely afford to buy food, they sure aren't going to buy their products and services.

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    1. Greed is the biggest danger involved with capitalism. As soon as business owners and companies stop seeing faces and only see numbers trouble begins.

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  8. I'm for raising the minimum wage. People cannot live not he current rate. If you're working full-time, you should be able to eek out a living. We have to decide what kind of country we want.

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    1. Absolutely, and that can only happen when we apply pressure to elected officials at the local, state, and federal level.

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