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Biden Calls For The Minimum Wage To Be Raised To $15/h, And Here Are The 30 Best Reactions
President-elect Joe Biden has unveiled a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal on Thursday. A part of it calls for a fatter paycheck for those working on federal minimum pay. Biden suggested boosting the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour, arguing that "No one working 40 hours a week should still be below the poverty line."
While presenting his speech on Thursday night in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden also went ahead of the critics reluctant to believe the plan will come true. “People tell me that’s going to be hard to pass. Florida just passed it—as divided as that state is—they just passed it. The rest of the country is ready to move as well.”
The federal minimum wage hasn’t been increased since 2009, and for over 33 million workers, the proposal feels like a tipping point for the better. But the Republicans balk at the idea, which makes Biden’s plans likely to be delayed. This, of course, has stirred heated reactions on social media, with many people weighing in on the needlessly ‘dramatic’ $15 wage discourse that’s been angering those conservatives.
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#1
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
And I'd upvote your THIS! about twenty times if I could.
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Uncommon Boston 5 years ago
Spoken by someone who has never worried about having enough money to eat.
Cheryl Fontaine 4 years ago
The people who need a job are those in the GOP...so far the only activities they are ever engaged in is preventing people from voting, preventing the votes from being certified, and using the massive "campaign donations" they get from corporate America to inhibit the rights of the people.
Cheryl Fontaine 5 years ago
Yeah, it's great if people can get a college education, but EVERYONE deserves a living wage...absolutely everyone!
CharliAnn Olney 5 years ago
I am GOP. I support FULLY the raise in minimum wage. MOST of my GOP friends do as well! Why are we lumped together with some a -- oles
RELATED:
#2
Sheldon Liberman 5 years ago
It's small business owners that will bear the brunt of increased costs. The old America is where dreams cames true; the new America is where they die.
Ginny Swart 5 years ago
Absolutely right, something badly wrong here.If Jeff and Mark got hit by the generosity virus they could give all of it away and just keep one billion for their personal needs . That would solve the minimum wage problem for the working class for the foreseeable future. Tch- Dont know why I am not in charge of USA finance! !
Bryan Parker 5 years ago
Both Facebook and Amazon raised its company minimum wage to greater than $15 per hour years ago. Both companies acknowledged that earning less than $15 per hour was not a livable wage.
Bacony Cakes 5 years ago
I don't think Mark Zuckerberg counts, due to the fact that he's a robot. All that money obviously belongs to the Generic Omnipresent Covenant™.
Cheryl Fontaine 4 years ago
People like Bezos and Zuckerberg spend millions making sure the laws are NEVER re-written that might make them actually pay fair taxes or a living wage to their employees. Those payments are made to congressmen and women....quite a racket they've got going for themselves....just in case you ever wonder why so many people spend so much money trying to get elected to ANYTHING... just another rung on the ladder to utter corruption at the public trough.
elfin 5 years ago
In Victorian England the argument was made that child labor was necessary because without that cheap labor businesses would go under. Child labor was outlawed. Without that cheap labor, wages for adults went up and families did better than before. Also, they didn't lose their children to accidents with heavy machinery in factories.
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
One answer is MINIMUM TAXATION: A lot of wealthy individuals and companies pay ZERO in taxes because of loopholes. There are also caps on Social Security and Disability payments for those making a lot of money. WHY? They can afford to chip in more. Remove those caps.
#3
Bacony Cakes 5 years ago
Nah, it's more of a Sierpinski Scheme. Pyramids within pyramids.
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Jaybird3939 5 years ago
All the billionaires have made more billions over the last year. Wonder how much they've donated to help out the impoverished and hungry?
The federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour, has not been updated since 2009 even though it has been called an unlivable income in most parts of the country. But the newly elected president Biden’s “American Rescue Plan” gives hope after the economy lost 140,000 jobs in December and unemployment claims surged in the latest weekly count by the most since March due to the pandemic.
But the procedure to pass the $15/h boost will not be a straightforward one. According to Bloomberg, “The Biden administration, due to take office next week, would need at least 10 Republican votes in the Senate to get its relief bill through Congress—unless it goes through the budget reconciliation process, where a bare majority is enough.”
Other major parts of the $1.9 trillion Biden relief plan include:
- $2,000 stimulus checks on top of the $600 that Congress approved in December;
- $20 billion national vaccine distribution program that would provide free shots to all U.S. residents regardless of immigration status;
- $350 billion in state funding, local and territorial governments, and $20 billion for public transit systems;
- extending unemployment benefits;
- requiring employers to offer paid sick leave to their workers during the pandemic (estimated to benefit 106 million workers);
- expanding tax credits for low- and middle-income families, as well as expanding child tax credit;
- $170 billion to help schools to open;
- $30 billion rental assistance for low-income households;
- financing small businesses and providing grants for such employers.
#4
Calypso poet 5 years ago
I actually had a Democrat on Twitter making the argument that teens will be making more than teachers at $15 an hour. Never mind that you would have to work 40 hours a week every week without missing a day all year to make $31k in a year. People need better math skills. And not be greedy assholes. "If I never got it before no one should"
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
I know a lot of parents who have lived almost a year with their kids at home. They would agree: PAY TEACHERS WHATEVER THEY WANT.
James Mills 5 years ago
wait america's teachers are payed $15 an hour that's awful. glad i don't live there.
NWB 5 years ago
yeah America you need to look at other countries with a decentish minimum wage, healthcare, where professionals like docs, nurses teachers are well paid and a burger flipper is still getting meal rates, Sunday extra rates, nighttime rates...and don't need tips. Cause of minimum wage of around $20. It isn't perfect but it bloody bets the shitshow America has!
Rosesinmyhair 5 years ago
Eric Steward stop being so obtuse and actually research what you are talking about instead of spouting crap you've picked up from other sub humans.
#5
DKS 001 5 years ago
when it comes to cleaning your unflushed sht and all the paper towels on the floor next to the trashcan - damn straight us janitors need at least $15 / hr
Elizabeth Molloy 5 years ago
Janitors and garbage collectors are the most important people in our society. They keep everywhere clean!
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Mohsie Supposie 5 years ago
The answer should have been: No, they don't need to make $15 an hour. They need to make MORE than that! $15/hr is the absolute minimum.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 5 years ago
Yupp. And they should really think about who they demand save their ass and maybe consider letting them use their toilet.
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Steve Cruz 5 years ago
I worked as a janitor in a high rise that was mostly law firms and accountants. One day the supervisor told us to ignore floors 72-75, the biggest law firm in the building and the most disrespectful towards janitors. They didn't clean up anything after themselves -- food spilled on carpet, crumbs on desks, drinks thrown into trash cans, newspapers and food all over execuive bathrooms. They threatened to sue. The owner of our company sent them a letter: a lawsuit would take 60-90 days, cost her nothing because she wouldn't even hire an attorney. The judge would order her back to work and she would comply. The firm, meanwhile, would wallow in their mess for 2-3 months. They finally agreed that their employees would stop being pigs and janitors would return. If we encountered any unnecessary filth or mess, we were to take photos and submit a work order, and we would be paid EXTRA to clean it up. It's amazing how MONEY TALKS.
Mark Kelly 5 years ago
pfft here in Canada janitors at schools get paid over $21 an hour to start.
#6
Steve Wilson 5 years ago
Let’s be clear. The primary reason why a capitalist hires any employee is because the capitalist expects the employee to bring him more wealth than he/she costs.There are no altruistic motives.
Naima Ebiche 5 years ago
I agree and this frightens me. Exploitation of men by men... What could go wrong?
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
Nothing. Because the exploited have been indoctrinated from since they were born that they need to work hard and never doubt their bosses if they want to be successful in life.
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Ram Lastname 5 years ago
Makes sense only if you make the assumption that the minimum wage translates to exploitation.
Daniel Callaway 5 years ago
You ever get employed by a poor man or woman? I did once back around 1971 and got the lowest pay of my life. Job only lasted 10 months and he went out of business.
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
Australia has had Living Wage since the 1990s and some businesses went under. Many thrived, because workers had more disposable income. Mor Aussies returned to school, thus upping their earning potential. Fewer Aussies needed housing and food assistance. Many CEOs suffered: they did not get raises for two years. The current minimum wage in Australia is $19.84 -- be sure to include that ALL Australians have HEALTH CARE, to boot.
Jason Chevallard 5 years ago
"Small" businesses are done. Thanks you idiots - it's basic economics!
Fred L. 5 years ago
That´s how the service industry works, everywhere, getting as much money as possible from the clients and giving as little as possible back to the people who do the actual service. A logical but sad truth.
Vicky Zar 5 years ago
Mainly in the US tough. Other countries do have proper minimum wages AND nothing of that "tip" culture garbage. Plus: minimum 25 days paid leave a year, paid sick days, maternity leave up to 3 years, ..... should I go on?
Load More Replies... c Fuller 4 years ago
I'll tel you what, I'll have to shut down. There isn't enough profit in my business becuse the property tax appraisers have shot the property taxes through the roof over all the stupid Californians moving here and jacking up real estate prices and those of us who created this community can't afford to live here anymore.
#7
Robert Catte (It, It's) 5 years ago
They have to be in jail first to need bail money.
Load More Replies... Rosesinmyhair 5 years ago
Did you know after the Civil War. ... Racist restaurant owners embraced tipping as a way to employ freed slaves without actually having to pay them any wages. America. Ain't she Grand!🙄
Brett Layton 5 years ago
Conflating two seperate issues here, unless theres some actual proof that all non republican owned and run businesses pay their people better. Lets not distract from the issue at hand (wealth inequality) by dogpiling unrelated crap on top of it til we lost sight of what we were talking about to begin with.
k1ddkanuck 4 years ago
I just realized you were probably joking. You never really know these days :D
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#8
Luther von Wolfen 5 years ago
I work with homeless people. Some of them have jobs - convenience stores, meat processing, driving a snow plow. These are essential jobs and they're in a homeless shelter.
James016 5 years ago
I think she is the one that said the entire family is nuts
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Steve Cruz 5 years ago
Mary L Trump wrote an expose on her disgusting uncle President Donald Trump. Mary L Trump IS A HERO!
CharliAnn Olney 5 years ago
Sorry, they will still be working poor. Know why. Because the fat cats will raise the prices on everything just to, you know, show you, that prices will go up!
Patti Renwick Parrish 5 years ago
Working for a non-profit organization. Unfortunately they do not have to give raises... or meet minimum requirements.
Jason Chevallard 5 years ago
The minimum wage is supposed to be STARTING POINT, not somewhere you stay! Economics 101 FAIL!!!!
#9
Gloria J Williams 5 years ago
I needed to correct my last entry. I think you are worth more than $15.00 per hour, especially since we are paying more for less. The products are shrinking rapidly. For can goods that used to be in 15oz cans, they are now in 12 oz cans and you are paying the same price for it.
Gloria J Williams 5 years ago
ou are worth more than $15.00 per hour, especially everything going up in price.
Daniel Callaway 5 years ago
I quit eating at Fast Food Joints just because of the ignorant asses cant even get your order right. How can you expect them to keep from contaminating the food?
Florence Hastings 5 years ago
In this country (denmark) all businesses are closed except supermarkets. If people need to eat let them make the food themselves. Geesch, it’s logical even for a chicken.
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
Also remember that the "enhanced benefit" of $600/week was tied to UNEMPLOYMENT. Fast food workers didn't receive that enhanced payment.
Bacony Cakes 5 years ago
@Eric Like you? Trust me, we have plenty more Grumpity Frumpity Hemo-Goblins like you.
#10
Andrew Gibb 5 years ago
When I worked in Burger King in the UK I noticed that the average meal cost around an hour of my time. Funny that it happens world wide and that the price of the meal has gone up when wages have.
Brandy Grote 5 years ago
Except wages haven't increased in the US, and prices still go up. So pay the people enough to buy stuff.
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CowboyHank 5 years ago
Yeah, I thought you were wrong. The federal minimum wage in 1998 was $5.15. You kinda proved yourself wrong.
DKS 001 5 years ago
$7.25 in '98? That is STILL the minimum wage in a lot of states, and it's 2021!
Aldhissla VargTimmen 5 years ago
that's why she used the word "current", I think you might have read over that :)
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Kisses4Katie 5 years ago
DAMN WENDYS PAID THAT MUCH IN 98?? I got paid as a front end manager at Kmart in 2002 : $5.15/hr. I got paid as an assistant manager at Dollar General for $7.35 an hour in 2009. My latest job was at Taco Bell for $9.50 an hour 3rd shift register. This year.
Ram Lastname 5 years ago
Non-American here. This kind of thing actually happens? As in, the minimum wage not keeping up with inflation?
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
It's called WAGE THEFT. Higher profits go into CEO pockets, and none of it "trickles down" to workers.
Jim Patrick 5 years ago
D H you think the cost of goods only go up for business's? No it goes up for everyone including the worker that $7.25 an hour. So you feel that it is ok for business's to raise the cost of product to cover the increase but not ok for min. Wage worker to want/need income raise to cover the exact same cost of goods increase that business use to jack up the price of their product & worker should still only get $7.25? That is like saying people who have some or a lot of money are ok to raise prices to either stay equal or earn even more money, but the person struggling or barely getting by should not get pay increase, they should become more poor & struggle even more, losing more of what they really didn't have in the first place. I would almost bet you bitch about every program that are set in place to try to help these people keep their bobbing in the water instead of going completely under. Cost of living increase= increase of cost to everyone not just business owner.
Kallyn Desmarais 5 years ago
dunno why you were downvoted, so I did my little bit to help, because you're spot on, mate. I've been saying this for years. And watch, cost of living and product go up every year, sometimes every month even if the wages stay the same as in the 70s/80s. My parents in the 80s had only one of them working, two cars, and bought whatever houses we were living in rather than renting. That one person working? They're making that same exact amount as in the 80s, and even them working two jobs at that rate instead of one, plus the other parent in the typical household working too...can't even afford rent, let alone buying a house and two cars and private school for the kids like back in the day. Clearly wages didn't move. Literally; they're not even a hundred dollars higher, TOTAL, than like 1985. But boy did cost of everything else go up.
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#11
H Edwards 5 years ago
It's so frustrating to hear my 15 year old nephew say that poor people can get rich if they just work hard. Poor people work harder than anyone else.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 5 years ago
"Pull yourself up by your bootstraps!" _ "Where the f**k are the BOOTS?!"
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Sandra Schug 5 years ago
Billionaires do the least hard work! It's all their employees trying to live on the crumbs they are offered. What's amazing is that companies COULD CHOISE to pay a living wage rather than Givt forcing them to. The problem isnt the poor it's the GREED!
#12
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
If you can't afford to pay your employees a decent wage, you're doing something wrong.
Carol Emory 5 years ago (edited)
One thing it will also reveal is the restaurants that exploit their service staff. Currently in our state, waitstaff make $2.13 and hour with the rest of their wages meant to be made up in tips. Uhmm...why? Can't the boss afford to pay his employees a decent wage?
Sue User 5 years ago
THIS! Also need to raise this amount. It has not raised since I was a waitress FORTY years ago.
Load More Replies... Brandy Grote 5 years ago
If your business fails because you pay your workers a little more, you're a bad business owner.
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
There are currently 180 towns and cities with minimum wage above $13/hour on its way to $15/hour. They're all doing just fine.
Boudewijn van der Mik 5 years ago
Didn't America have a Civil War about Slavery once? Who won?
P1 No-Name 8 months ago
If your business model doesn't provide a living wage for your employees - then just maybe your business shouldn't exist.
Julie Hoecherl-Grobner 5 years ago
All of these comments are ridiculous and they clearly have no concept of how economics work.
Studio5301 5 years ago
In the mid/late 90's, I had a doctor recruiting biz, just breaking even.. I was paying my secretary $15/hr. With the workman's comp, medical, SSec, unemployment, vacation, payroll costs, A-woman costs me $44,000 a year. She was only taking home $19,000. Then Clinton increased all these taxes, and I could not afford her and 5 other 1/2 time employees. I closed the biz in 2016. At $15/hr, a fast food meal will cost $12 =16. Instead of buying the newest iPhone, etc, if people would invest in any amount of stock or CD, they would have funds. I started working at $1.25 a hour and save/invested everything I could.
Sue User 5 years ago
I started at 3.35 hour. Could I save money then...yes. But I couldn't now. Costs have outstripped earnings.
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H Edwards 5 years ago
In the UK we have different minimum wage depending on age. It ranges from £4.15 for an apprentice up to £8.72 (about $11.80) for people 25 and over.
Carrot dude 5 years ago
Doesn't this make people way more inclined to hire kids though?
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WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
Funny enough, by raising the minimum wage, you also invest heavily in the economy. The more people have got to spend, the more they will spend.
Kendra Miller 5 years ago
I'd like to add "They earn half of their family's income because it is impossible to afford to live without a partner" e.g. roommates
Jim Patrick 5 years ago
And if this was done Eric Steward you would more than likely lose your job to one of these people you have called "burdens" because they have ethics & human character instead of your I am better than everyone else & I am entitled to act like "grown person with a toodle attitude and characteristic calling people names , treating other disrespectfully, truly thinking you are better than others, are demeaning,. .... making any business you are with look bad and undesirable for anyone to business with. And I am sure that your lack of character would make you undesirable to any place that pays min wage. Those "looser" mainly deal with public in person and "grown" you don't have what it takes/you lack ability. So in the end your grown a**e would be lower than a "looser"& unemployed. No one is irreplaceable including you and your flawed attitude .
Brandy Grote 5 years ago
Of the 156,000 jobs lost in December 2020, all were held by women. Men actually GAINED 14,000 jobs in that same time.
Luna Lovegood 5 years ago
Plus, those teenagers that are working after school are often not just "earning extra spending money", they are trying to earn money for college and such so they can maybe not be in massive debt for years, or at least minimize that debt.
#14
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
I always hear "BUT THE STOCK MARKET"! And.... people having money to buy things and stay out of debt is bad how?
Katy McMouse 5 years ago
I'm so ridiculously sick of people using the stock market argument. The last time my husband brought that up, I asked him how the stock market was enhancing our financial situation as an average pay check to pay check family. Or, for that matter, anyone else we knew. He hasn't used that argument since.
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Matheus Oliveira 5 years ago
So true! The Big Mac Index shows just how crazy this is.
Load More Replies... Steve Cruz 5 years ago
The current minimum wage in Australia is $19.85 (and every person in Australia has HEALTH CARE). Australia has had living minimum wage since the 1990s. What did it cost big corporations? CEOs went without raises for two years. Meanwhile, businesses at the bottom end benefited because their target clientele had more disposable income. Fewer people needed housing and food aid. More people returned to school, enhancing their earning power.
#15
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 5 years ago
Eh... depends. They should definitely earn enough so they aren't too susceptible to bribery. Also, if they do a good job, they should be paid accordingly. Sit on their a**e and fall asleep? Nope, sorry, no money for today, Mr.
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Fernando Rodriguez 5 years ago
Not so sure about this one. If the company wasn't inherited, then the owner was skilled enough to build a company that over pays him. People/Money management is also a skill after all.
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
Stupid statement. In 2014, 40% of businesses had under 10 employees. Not all businesses are huge profit centers with owners who do nothing. A lot of owners are in there working with the crew.
earringnut 5 years ago
I'm convinced there is no such thing as "unskilled labor". Just because you didn't go to learn how to do a job doesn't mean you didn't need to learn it.
Susan Reid Smith 5 years ago
If it is a small business, the owner gets paid last, after rent, supplies and payroll.
#16
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
Even worse, some of them might even decide to quit their second and third job.
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
And afford health care! And education! And *gasp* consumer goods at a price that means other people's wages can be higher, which will then spiral out of control into... profits! .... Yeah, I don't get the American mindset sometimes, and I *am* American. *sigh*
Load More Replies... Steve Wilson 5 years ago
I’m still waiting for the total economic collapse that was supposed to happen in all the places where it has already been done. What gives? It appears that all those businesses are still in business.
Bacony Cakes 5 years ago
Imagine being able to be educated without instantly becoming the Weimar Republic. Despicable.
#17
Luther von Wolfen 5 years ago
But you don't have to pay professional athletes more. Or Senators, CEOs, talk radio hosts or plastic surgeons.
Bacony Cakes 5 years ago
Or any other of the useless jobs, such as "megachurch owner" or "entire business that created raid shadow legends".
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Emyo Jennifer Nakayama 5 years ago
As long as the cuts come from the top, the company will make it easily! Cut one top man and pay all the underlings a decent wage.
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
And can't you see that the profit margins allow for these wage increases IF and only IF CEOs and stock holder majorities agree to earn only $100 million a year instead of $150 million?
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#18
Julia Caruso 5 years ago
The business you work for IS supposed to pay you enough to pay your rent, bills, and other various costs of living... it's called a job. People have them so they can pay for those things specifically. Heard of it? Or are you so privileged that you've never needed to work in your life to provide for yourself.
lakitha tolbert 5 years ago
Seriously though! what the F* is the OP talking about? Its called having a job! Wow!
Load More Replies... Rosesinmyhair 5 years ago
So P*wder ..When there are no workers left because they have "improved the value of their labour" how are you going to be served properly at the restaurants/Supermarkets etc. Who is going to clean your schools and hospitals..who is going to do the crap s**t you won't do because your labour is worth more than that? You are what is wrong with the human race.
Chuck Royal 5 years ago
We should also point out that we HAVE improved the value of our labor. Look at productivity figures over the last 50 years, then compare it to the minimum wage and corporate profits over the same time.
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
This is why UNIONS existed, until business groups duped voters into adopting "Right To Work" laws, which actually translate into "Right To Fire Without Reason."
Sue User 5 years ago
I love (sarcasm) the argument of "get a better job". Like there is this endless supply of jobs that are "good" and pay a decent wage. 42 percent of jobs pay less than 15 dollars hour. Even if everyone could get better jobs, who would do all that work ? Even if you gave all unemployed work, it still doesn't cover it. Forget economics, it is basic math
Nicole Weymann 5 years ago
"Improve the value of your labor": does anyone really think workers will voluntarily be given more money than their individual contracts state when/if they randomly start performing more or more complicated tasks? And OF COURSE businesses are at least co-responsible for paying their workers' bills. Why do you think people go to work if not to earn money?
#19
Bacony Cakes 5 years ago
It was a martinus. If he wanted multiple, he would've asked for it.
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Luther von Wolfen 5 years ago
100+ years ago, workers in US were rioting and striking for basic safety and a living wage. I'm just making an observation.
aj B 5 years ago
Yep and they had the perfect opportunity during this. I'm sure lots of people would villanize them for it, but the instant someone in washington spouted "essential workers" should have led to a massive walk out. After all the economy doesn't protect them why should they protect it.
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Pat Hansen 5 years ago
You are correct! That's why they don't publish wages in other countries. Most of them have a minimum wage of more than $20 per hour. In Scandinavian countries the say the guy that delivers the beer is as important as the guy who runs the brewery!
Pippa Runs 5 years ago
At 17 yo I earned $11/hr. That was amazing for the 90s. Then in 2016 I got a job purely for my academic resume. I was offered $10.73/hour. I was the highest paid employee in the kitchen. I was astonished. No way I could pay my bills.
Mickie Shea 5 years ago
Agreed, and how is this all suppose to happen when new keep on elect'n republicans to office.
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
Average pay for Congressmembers is $175,000/year. Rep. Alexandria Ocaso-Cortez, or "AOC," is one of the few who have worked as a restaurant server and bartender. She is routinely mocked by those from wealthy families whose first job was as a junior attorney in the family law firm. Over 70% of congressmembers have never worked a job that pays minimum wage.
Robert Thompson 5 years ago
It used to take 10,400 Hours of labor to buy a house. Let's tie minimum wage to that! Each city will have a corresponding minimum wage...
Wolf Gamer 5 years ago
Eric Steward, if that's really how you feel, you can't go anywhere that pays their workers minimum wage. Hope you like farming! Those people sustain our economy. People like you, sir, disgust me.
#21
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
I love the "Undercover Boss" series where a CEO goes undercover, finds out how committed his employees are despite their terrible working conditions and in the end comes to the conclusion that he's been underpaying his employees for years. But only a few of them actually raised the wages in the entire company.
Ren Karlej 5 years ago
They always think they're going to uncover the workers doing a bad job - hah!
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Kristy Nelson 5 years ago
YES! Anyone who works full-time should be able to provide the basics of living for themselves and their families. Food, shelter, and health are pretty basic survival necessities! There are SO many things that would improve if people had these basic needs met!
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
And that is the KEY POINT: Anyone working FULL TIME should be able to earn enough to cover the necessities. AND there should be a safety net so people at that earning grade do not fall onto the streets after one hardship.
Bacony Cakes 5 years ago
Dear Eric Steward, please find enclosed... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0V0ODEOvSg.
#22
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
Poor American: " Yeah, but it's not actually that he's making that much money because Jeff got his expenses too and, like, you know it isn't actual money like, you know, that he can immediately draw from his bank account in cash, you know what I'm saying? And he earned that money all by himself so why should the government be allowed to, like, rob poor Jeff with a 20% tax rate? "
Ren Karlej 5 years ago
Thank you for producing this crap argument sarcastically.
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Kendra Miller 5 years ago
There is a quote I like, it's possible to become a millionaire just through hard work and talent. It is NOT possible to become a billionaire without exploiting your workers, venders or customers.
uber mensch 5 years ago
Maybe he could scrape by on $1M/hr, and use the rest to pay employees? Or, I dunno... maybe taxes?
Luther von Wolfen 5 years ago
People act like Trump is bad. Bezos is just sitting back going "Yeah, take the heat, orange clown."
Joshua Brenneman 5 years ago
Bezos is literally Smaug on a stash if gold. He won't part with a single coin
Mickie Shea 5 years ago
Hey, Jeff only takes no brakes during his hour at the office. Jeffy's to busy counting his money to even stop for coffee or a conversation.
soni w 5 years ago
Right....STOP BUYING ALL HIS S**T THEN. BOYCOT THAT F****R AND BUY LOCAL AND STOP WATCHING HIS CHANNELS. HIS WEALTH IS BECAUSE OF YOUR GREED AND INSATIABLE NEEEÉD TO HAVE FUCKN EVERYTHING!
DogMatic 4 years ago
When I buy an item from Amazon instead of locally, it's because it is cheaper, & my income isn't high enough to pay the extra it would cost to buy locally. Also, 'local' to me is a rural area with few retail facilities. Cost of transport to shops is frequently higher than cost of delivery. Many necessities are unavailable to me anywhere other than online, e.g. I purchased mobility equipment online recently. It isn't always about greed.
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Kari Panda 5 years ago
Unpaid internship is another thing that shouldn‘t exist. I wonder how many countries have that at all. The only unpaid internship I am aware of in my country is a mandatory two-weeks internship for all pupils in 8th grade or so, so they could see what real jobs are like.
Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
An unpaid internship is basically slavery in a business suit. "Work for free," they say. "You'll learn the ropes of actual work," they say. 100% pure male bovine feces! You'll be making coffee, cleaning the break room, and performing other grunt work.
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yesyes? 5 years ago
I make 2.13 hr. And there is always one person who feels the need to tell us that they aren't tipping the restaurant should pay us a living wage. It's so sad people don't get that they don't and if you don't tip the only person you're hurting are the employees who still have to tip out busboys,barstaff and even the kitchen has their hands out.
M Kate McCulloch 5 years ago
Most of the unpaid internship positions here are for college credit towards a degree - and some of the unpaid internships are paid for by the intern... So not just working for free, but paying to work.
Katchen 5 years ago
People who come from poor households where they need to be a breadwinner or kids who grow up in the foster care system can’t take unpaid internships because they need to be paid. Making unpaid internships the cost of getting an entry level job closes those jobs to people who don’t come from the middle class or higher.
Jo Johannsen 5 years ago
In 1970 I started working at Thrifty's - at that time the minimum wage was $1.85, but as a union worker, I got a whopping $2.15/hout. Living high, I tell ya!
#24
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
Somehow poor people in the US get very offended when you propose a tax system where the extremely rich people pay more on taxes than the poor. The furiosity and vigor they show when they are defending the rich never ceases to amaze me.
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
Some poor people. Many of us would gladly tax Elon Musk to a mere less-billionaire-y status.
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Luther von Wolfen 5 years ago
Whoa, there. The Trolley Car Problem is a thought experiment. It shouldn't be applied to the real world, where people's actual lives are on the line.
Bryan Charles 5 years ago
AND SOMEONE remind this Canadian ok —- what is this AMERICAN DREAM BS that I have heard for 50 yrs — Bezos is over the top because HE SUCCEEDED —- Australia’s min wage is $20 hr & the welfare bums have 12 months to SHAPE UP or else !!
Steve Wilson 5 years ago
I live in Oklahoma. A couple of years ago I took a random survey & asked about 20 different people if they would be willing to pay 5% more for their WalMart purchases if they knew the extra money would go for higher employee wages. It was about 50-50. 50% said “no” & the other 50% said “f**k no”. Not a single person said ‘yes’. ‘Murica.
Brandy Grote 5 years ago
Imagine working at a place and not being able to afford to eat there (except whatever piddly meal they might provide - for a cost). Imagine how much money you could make if your workers COULD eat there in their day off - with their kids!
#25
Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
Good job, Bridget! Some people are such snarky jerks that they would make excellent poster children for birth control.
#26
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 5 years ago
They look back fondly to the times they didn't have to pay anything to their workers at all.
M O'Connell 5 years ago
That is basically how it works in a rampantly consumerist society. The whole point seems to be to reduce costs to increase potential customer base. If that process leaves half of the people out, so be it!
#27
CharliAnn Olney 5 years ago
Please quit lumping us and I will quit lumping you!
Load More Replies... CharliAnn Olney 5 years ago
Not EVERY conservative! I support it 100% and so do most of my Conservative friends. Know why? Because, we know it will actually GROW the economy!
Sharon Ingram 5 years ago
Not every. Why do you do that? Just because a person is a conservative doesn’t mean they are in the 1% of rich, that they are racist, etc. just like every person who is a liberal is not a moron with no sense. We, all of us, have to stop labeling and start listening. I am trying to understand. Can we do that?
#28
P1 No-Name 8 months ago
This is sickening - sort yourselves out, pay your workers for Gods sake!
Mickie Shea 5 years ago
That's good, as inflation only rose by 19.1% since 2010. That is still way under 20%, which leaves them with just over (5) five dollars spending power. Won't even buy a beer and at their wages the poor should not be drinking alcohol. Just think, at the current rate within a few years the poor will have to pay the rich just to get a job. Ut Oh! If the poor have no buying power, who'll be buying the goods and services of the rich? Oh well, that's their problem. not ours.
#29
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
Captions are wrong. People all stare in awe when a guy manages to make millions per day over the backs of underpaid workers, but no one bats an eye when people get underpaid, exploited and have to work in the most terrible working conditions.
juice 5 years ago
i think it's people don't care when Bezos makes that much, but as soon as you mention essential workers they flip out. (to me the eyes seem more angry and less staring in awe)
Load More Replies... Mickie Shea 5 years ago
Hey! What if Jeff sends out for a hamburger, fries and a malt. Think about the triple down effect. gotcha
Mark Kelly 5 years ago
pfft not me, I get pissed at people like Jeff Bezos. Also, I make above minimum wage because I have valuable skills.
#30
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
people who type run the world.... just try to get anything done without data entry
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 5 years ago
True. I could flip my own burger but ... no, you know what, I could actually also do data entry. But that doesn't mean burger-flippers don't need to earn wages they can live from.
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Jaybird3939 5 years ago
So you sit in front of a microphone and listen to others all day and play on your phone. Yeah, let yourself think you're more valuable than the secretary's who spend all day on running errands for you and taking your abuse. (I am meaning politicians, btw)
Patti Renwick Parrish 5 years ago
Been at my job for 18 years, non profit = no raises, no minimum wage. Just because I 'type on a computer ' all day DOES NOT mean I make a lot of money.
somnomania 5 years ago
my friend who worked at mcd's for 10+ years has permanent nerve damage in her wrist from flipping the fry basket. never tell me that fast food is an easy job for losers.
Mark Kelly 5 years ago
I fix cars though not a licensed mechanic which is more valuable than both.
Bacony Cakes 5 years ago
Well, look who's the most worthy of being paid in the world! It's Mr. Baldy McDoesFA!
JESSE REED 5 years ago
To act like there is no hierarchy in jobs is silly. the reason some jobs are paid less is because there is no investment in yourself in order to obtain such jobs. this is not a debate about the importance, Its a debate about supply and demand. Jobs that require no refined skills have unlimited supply of labor and therefore the demand is lower as is the pay, where as someone who may have a job that is not as labor intensive, but requires a refined and practiced skill or knowledge set are not in high supply and thus are paid more. Has nothing do with importance, just the level of skill and investment required.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 5 years ago
I think she knows and thinks that's not right. I disagree with her there, though, to be honest.
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Andrew Gibb 5 years ago
they need to pay for heating in the many rooms of many mansions that they never use
Bacony Cakes 5 years ago
Don't forget paying for the shininess of their practically junk pile of Ferraris.
Load More Replies... #32
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
Relax, In 2080 the tipped minimum will be $2.13 while your rent will be $6000/mo for a 100 square feet room.
Bacony Cakes 5 years ago
nah more like a dingy cramped pod with one window at the back and the world's least comfortable bed
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#33
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
That's how the rich have been able to keep the poor under control. "Listen Jake, if I raise your wage, I'll have to raise Manuels wage also. And we both don't want Manuel to get rich, do we? "
#34
Julia Caruso 5 years ago
If republicans hadn't been so bent on maintaining the cycle of poverty to stay in positions of power in society, we wouldn't need such a drastic increase in the minimum wage. If they had allowed the minimum wage to increase over time to correlate with inflation, this would be a non-issue. Republicans are always complaining about their manufactured crisis. It's ridiculous.
#35
TTorrest Author 5 years ago
Here's the direct link from the tweet above. Scrolling through it was insane and literally made me ill: https://mkorostoff.github.io/1-pixel-wealth/
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Uncommon Boston 5 years ago (edited)
Some very profitable companies pay their employees much more than minimum wage. Costco is a perfect example. --- Costco average employee wage $23/hour with benefits (https://www.businessinsider.com/highest-paid-retail-jobs-in-the-us-2019-6#2-shane-co-sales-associate-15)
Naima Ebiche 5 years ago
I don’t really understand why it bothers people that other workers get their hourly wage increased ? Would it diminish you ? Why don’t you be happy that they could now have money to get a house (instead of sleeping in their car or a trailer) and be able to pay a doctor and medecine when they need them.
Aroace tiger 5 years ago
This is so sad. The people who are keeping the earth turning are apparently not worthy of $15... This world is messed up.
Cori 5 years ago
For the record, $15/ hr is still less than $30,000/ year BEFORE taxes. The average cost of rent in the US is $784/ month, which comes out to about $9,400/ year. That's JUST rent. There's still food, transportation, utilities, medical and a myriad of other life essentials to consider. There is a reason people can work 80 hours a week and still just barely scrape by.
Orionpax75 5 years ago
I still think minimum wage should be at the very least $20-25 bucks an hour $15 is bullshit you can't pay rent and all other expenses for $15 bucks!
Phoenix 5 years ago
Honestly I think it should be $25/h at this point, $15/h should’ve been years ago
Kay blue 5 years ago
Does this mean that restaurant owners will have to pay their staff $15 or will they still have to rely on tips. I'm a Brit so apologies if I seem a bit thick on the subject.
Uncommon Boston 5 years ago (edited)
Some very profitable companies pay their employees much more than minimum wage. Costco is a perfect example. --- Costco average employee wage $23/hour with benefits (https://www.businessinsider.com/highest-paid-retail-jobs-in-the-us-2019-6#2-shane-co-sales-associate-15)
Naima Ebiche 5 years ago
I don’t really understand why it bothers people that other workers get their hourly wage increased ? Would it diminish you ? Why don’t you be happy that they could now have money to get a house (instead of sleeping in their car or a trailer) and be able to pay a doctor and medecine when they need them.
Aroace tiger 5 years ago
This is so sad. The people who are keeping the earth turning are apparently not worthy of $15... This world is messed up.
Cori 5 years ago
For the record, $15/ hr is still less than $30,000/ year BEFORE taxes. The average cost of rent in the US is $784/ month, which comes out to about $9,400/ year. That's JUST rent. There's still food, transportation, utilities, medical and a myriad of other life essentials to consider. There is a reason people can work 80 hours a week and still just barely scrape by.
Orionpax75 5 years ago
I still think minimum wage should be at the very least $20-25 bucks an hour $15 is bullshit you can't pay rent and all other expenses for $15 bucks!
Phoenix 5 years ago
Honestly I think it should be $25/h at this point, $15/h should’ve been years ago
Kay blue 5 years ago
Does this mean that restaurant owners will have to pay their staff $15 or will they still have to rely on tips. I'm a Brit so apologies if I seem a bit thick on the subject.
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