Wow.. Min. Wage in the US is only $5.15/hr

[Silverstring]

Re: Wow.. Min. Wage in the US is only $5.15/hr

I've never had an issue with the minimum wage being low. Truthfully, I don't think it should be much higher. Heck, it was even lower when I had my first summer job and I didn't have a problem with it then.

Umm, when did you get your first summer job? Was it around 1955? Adjusted for inflation, the purchasing power of the minimum wage is at its lowest point since 1955! That's crazy. Not to mention your point is probably moot because your first summer job most likely was worked while you were still being supported by your parents and just wanted disposable income.

I love the "personal responsibility" canard. Remember, there is a difference between making a personal decision to take responsibility for yourself and your family and setting up policy that says all people are on their own.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Wow.. Min. Wage in the US is only $5.15/hr

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/06/....ap/index.html

You learn something new everyday.

One of the proposals in the article said it should eventually be raised to $7.25/hr. That is still extremely low. I don't know how any person that is single could live off of $7.25/hr, I imagine it's much harder for single parents.

I like Chris Rock's joke about min. wage "Minimum wage means if your employer could legally pay your *** less, they would".

It's so bad that everything is getting expensive in this country, and jobs just aren't paying enough to balance things out with the cost of living. I'm contemplating a career change myself, granted I'm in the business world but they still try to underpay you there.

[mjb2124]

Re: Wow.. Min. Wage in the US is only $5.15/hr

Umm, when did you get your first summer job? Was it around 1955? Adjusted for inflation, the purchasing power of the minimum wage is at its lowest point since 1955! That's crazy. Not to mention your point is probably moot because your first summer job most likely was worked while you were still being supported by your parents and just wanted disposable income.

I love the "personal responsibility" canard. Remember, there is a difference between making a personal decision to take responsibility for yourself and your family and setting up policy that says all people are on their own.

Ummm, 1995 or so. My summer job paid for my college books, room and board, utilities, food etc.... So while I had the job, yes I was supported by my parent's. However, the $4.xx an hour I made paid for what I needed while attending that year of college when I didn't work. I wouldn't call that disposable income as it was necessary for me to survive while away at college.

It's all about personal responsibility IMO. The government isn't here to hand money to people like many want. Too many people try to live outside their means and then cry that the government isn't doing enough. I know that doesn't include everyone, but it does include many. I just find it a sad state of society that so many people want to rely on government and not their own self to create a better life or way of living. Like I said, it's easier for most to make excuses as to why they can't or why the government should hand them money than to improve themselves or make themself more valuable.