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?