Should wages/salaries be capped? (preach, God, charity)

[michel]

I seem to remember a thread recently on the subject of people living on minimum wages, and the implementation, by law of applying that dictate.

There could be an argument made to 'cap' salaries; for example, actors ? The famous, who often live off giving talks at luncheons, footballers, boxers..........etc.

Is it creditable that this should be the case?:-
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlf...nds%20salaries

DAVID SCHWIMMER is still shocked by the staggering salaries he and his co-stars earned for starring in hit US TV sitcom FRIENDS.
But the actor insists his $1 million (GBP550,000)-per-episode wage was nothing compared to the income generated by the show's producers.
The 38-year-old actor, who is preparing to take London's West End by storm in NEIL LaBUTE play SOME GIRLS when it opens on Thursday (12MAY05), remains embarrassed by the negative press his salary received.
But Schwimmer was determined to take his fair share of Friends' profits so he could put the money to good use.
He says, "That was what I called silly money. No one deserves a million dollars a week for anything. Oh God no! I mean, no way!
"But you've got to look at the bigger picture. You realise that if they could afford to pay each actor a million dollars a week, they must be making 10 times that themselves.
"And you can be damn sure the production company was not going to give it away to charity."

What do you think?

[Mike182]

it makes me sick that footballers get paid stupid ammounts to kick balls


but then, there is a lot of money in the sports industry!

i would never vote that peoples earnings should be curtailed, that would take away all incentive to work hard, but i would agree with higher tax rates for the rich, and lower rates for the poor.

[c0da]

Think about it this way though... A footballer on 100k a week is paying 42k a week to the government in tax. Thats a lot of money that the government could use to help people, but choose to waste.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by c0da2006

Think about it this way though... A footballer on 100k a week is paying 42k a week to the government in tax. Thats a lot of money that the government could use to help people, but choose to waste.

leaving them on 58k a week, more than my parents see in a year. they could live on 20k a week!

but let us not just discuss footballers, what about the pay check politicians get each year?

[evearael]

I do not believe in arbitrary legislative caps on income in the private sector.

That said, I vote with my dollar and my time: I do not own a television. I boycott movies with actors/producers/etc. of objectionable character. I do not buy cds that glorify violence, demean women, or preach hatred. I do not buy gossip mags.

If these people are making obscene salaries and you object, ask yourself if you are in fact financing them. Turn off the tv.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by evearael

I boycott movies with actors/producers/etc. of objectionable character.

how do you mean "objectional character"?

[michel]

Originally Posted by evearael

I do not believe in arbitrary legislative caps on income in the private sector.

That said, I vote with my dollar and my time: I do not own a television. I boycott movies with actors/producers/etc. of objectionable character. I do not buy cds that glorify violence, demean women, or preach hatred. I do not buy gossip mags.

If these people are making obscene salaries and you object, ask yourself if you are in fact financing them. Turn off the tv.

Good point; I think that is the answer. Vote with your feet. The trouble is that these shows do get the mass viewing, whatever rubbish they put out.

If the answer is as you have said above (and I totally agree), how do you (as an individual - with your social 'duty' to improve what you see around you ......go about effecting changes ? Do you have a duty to do more than just turn the TV off ? (It may sort you and yours out, but it leaves the world to go on rotting)

[Sunstone]

I'm not for capping incomes, but I do have three qualms about them.

First, I'm concerned about the incomes of executives who have captive boards of directors. It seems that many executives these days are taking bonuses, etc. regardless of their performance.

Second, I'm concerned that the poor might be becoming poorer. Since this is a political topic, it's hard to find definitive evidence that's the case, but if it's happening it doesn't bode well for the future health of society.

Third, I'm concerned the socioeconomic classes are isolating themselves from each other. This, too, doesn't bode well for the health of society.

[evearael]

how do you mean "objectional character"?

For instance, I boycott actors and actresses who engage in domesitc violence...

how do you (as an individual - with your social 'duty' to improve what you see around you ......go about effecting changes ?

Activism begins in the home. The family is one of the most fundamental units of culture and has a huge impact on its transmission. To transform our culture, we must first transform our families. Parents should nurture and love their children, and raise them to be confident and empowered individuals. Abuse in all forms must end.
You should fight for change in the most effective way at your disposal. Support your neighbor as she finds the strength to end domestic abuse. Call the police if you learn of molestation. Help your elderly neighbor take in her groceries. Build up your community one act and one relationship at a time. Encourage others to become involved. Raise awareness for the resources available to assist people of varying needs. Raise support for those good programs that are struggling. Become involved in the local institutions, like schools, to ensure that they are doing the very best they can for our children. Lobby for change on all levels. Protest and fight injustice that you encounter on a daily basis... don't look the other way. It is easy to right a check, it is hard to actually confront injustice and hate when you find it.

Do you have a duty to do more than just turn the TV off ? (It may sort you and yours out, but it leaves the world to go on rotting)

Of course, but guess what the effect of one million doing the same is? Five million? Ten million? You are not helpless, that is not an excuse for inaction (and no, Michel, I'm not criticizing you in any way ). We all have responsibility to fight injustice by all means at our disposal... I fight the excesses and distorted values of the media by limiting my intake. I fight rape and sexual assault by being open about my experiences and taking on the shame-filled silence that allows the wicked to roam free. Pah actually posted an excellent thread on the subject:
10 Ways to Fight Hate
Just realize that every action, no matter how slight, has an impact on the world around us and that enough tiny actions of love and goodness can translate into positive change in a much larger system.