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[Meow Mix]

Originally Posted by freethinker44

Wouldn't work. In order to gain maximum profits, companies would have raise prices to offset the cost of higher wages for employees, which would nullify the effect of higher wages. It would work if we enacted profit capping laws though. That would solve that problem.

I'm really conflicted. On one hand people should be free to make profits from their risk. On the other hand, this hypercapitalist "profit at any cost, screw you little guy I don't care if you die in a ditch, I'd rather your children starve than for my income to drop a cent" that has taken over capitalist endeavors is so dehumanizing it's unbearable.

[Alceste]

Originally Posted by Meow Mix

I'm really conflicted. On one hand people should be free to make profits from their risk. On the other hand, this hypercapitalist "profit at any cost, screw you little guy I don't care if you die in a ditch, I'd rather your children starve than for my income to drop a cent" that has taken over capitalist endeavors is so dehumanizing it's unbearable.

An honest wage for an honest day's work. Who wants or needs any more than that?

[Mr Spinkles]

Originally Posted by Mr Spinkles

Great Scott! Just thinking about all those taxes made me vomit caviar and lobster bisque all over my maid's face. How can job-creators survive anymore?

Originally Posted by Meow Mix

This made me almost spit water onto my screen!

Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it but Great Zeus' Beard! The mere mention of all those taxes made me spew veal tartar all over my shoeshine boy's back. My monocle flew onto the polar bear rug, my top hat landed on the African rhinoceros bust, and so on.

[Meow Mix]

Originally Posted by Alceste

An honest wage for an honest day's work. Who wants or needs any more than that?

But I agree with that, I was conflicted on how to *solve* the issue. As someone pointed out, if (given the current hypercapitalist, profit-first mindset) companies must pay a living wage to their employees then I believe it's true they *would* just raise prices and thus negate the benefit to the employees rather than miss out on even a single cent of their precious profits.

How to solve that?

[Alceste]

Originally Posted by Meow Mix

But I agree with that, I was conflicted on how to *solve* the issue. As someone pointed out, if (given the current hypercapitalist, profit-first mindset) companies must pay a living wage to their employees then I believe it's true they *would* just raise prices and thus negate the benefit to the employees rather than miss out on even a single cent of their precious profits.

How to solve that?

Incrementally increase the minimum wage in the direction of a living wage. Typically, the problem solves itself. Our minimum wage increase in this province is happening in phases to give business time to adapt. Each year since 2011 it's gone up about $0.75. So, over three years it will go from $8.00 to $10.25. Studies have shown that all the doom and gloom predicted by business owners never seems to happen. Because people at the low end of the wage scale pretty much have to spend all of their income to survive, these wage increases go directly back into the local economy, which is good for everybody's business. Of course, those people are still buying shoes made in China for a dollar an hour, but they're buying them from other people who are making $10.25 an hour, and spending it all locally.

To address the issue of cheap labour, I really think people need to police their own purchasing habits a little better. Part of the drive for cheap goods is stagnant wages. We just can't afford organic, local food and hand-made shoes from the local cobbler. When we earn more, we're more likely to spend a little extra for a more ethical purchase. (Some of us are, anyway).

[Πολυπέρχων Γʹ]

Looks like Baruch Obama had fun celebrating his new election victory:

Obama Bombs Yemen Hours After Winning Reelection « Antiwar.com Blog

Not even a full day had passed before newly reelected President Obama ordered another drone strike in Yemen.

The drone war violates both domestic and international law, and the Obama administration’s vehement disdain for transparency in government is the only thing keeping it from public and legal scrutiny. Beyond the law, it’s terrorism.

[Dingbat]

Originally Posted by Πολυπέρχων Γʹ

Looks like Baruch Obama had fun celebrating his new election victory:

Obama Bombs Yemen Hours After Winning Reelection « Antiwar.com Blog

Not even a full day had passed before newly reelected President Obama ordered another drone strike in Yemen.

The drone war violates both domestic and international law, and the Obama administration’s vehement disdain for transparency in government is the only thing keeping it from public and legal scrutiny. Beyond the law, it’s terrorism.

I will give you that the drone strikes are a mess and a horrible extension of Bush Era policy. I think probably the most disturbing part of the election cycle was when Romney and Obama discussed how much they love Drone strikes and that Romney said we should do even more. That is just insane. Unfortunately the only candidates against that policy didn't have a chance in hell.

[Reverend Rick]

Originally Posted by Alceste

An honest wage for an honest day's work. Who wants or needs any more than that?

The thing is, people want so much more than a days pay for a days work. They expect their employer to become their parent giving them a retirement plan, health insurance, paid vacations and holiday pay as well.

You have to pay workers compensation, unemployment, match their social security and medicare.

The truth of the matter is people do not work hard all day long. My formula for my wages is that workers give you about 6 hours work every 8 hours.

My son used to work for me and confronted me about his wages. At the time he was inexperienced and I was paying him 15 dollars an hour. He asked me why other employees made much more than him.

One day we had 100's of light fixtures to hang and the work was repetitive. Each man was working in a different room. At the end of the day, I asked him to walk with me and discuss his wages.

He had hung 16 fixtures that day. We went to other rooms and more experienced men had hung 32 fixtures. I told him lets do the math. The other men at the time where making 25 dollars an hour.

I said son, you cost me 7.50 a fixture to install them. If I paid the other men that much they would be making 30 an hour. You tell me who is making more money than who?

[Magic Man]

Originally Posted by Reverend Rick

The thing is, people want so much more than a days pay for a days work. They expect their employer to become their parent giving them a retirement plan, health insurance, paid vacations and holiday pay as well.

You have to pay workers compensation, unemployment, match their social security and medicare.

Oh gods! You mean they actually want benefits too!? The nerve of them wanting a decent life!

The truth of the matter is people do not work hard all day long. My formula for my wages is that workers give you about 6 hours work every 8 hours.

And?

[Apex]

Originally Posted by Reverend Rick

The thing is, people want so much more than a days pay for a days work. They expect their employer to become their parent giving them a retirement plan, health insurance, paid vacations and holiday pay as well.

It is in an employers best interest to give their employees a decent amount of paid vacation. Studies have shown that employees who get regular time off produce higher quality work than those who do not.