grue 1 #1 October 26, 2005 Congress has given themselves annual raises for a 'cost of living adjustment'. They can't actually call it a raise, that would violate the 27th Amendment. Fortunately, the Supreme Court is as corrupt as the other branches of government and says these "adjustments" as OK. They make a minimum of $158,100US/yr, and don't forget they don't even work year-round. The minimum wage has stayed the same for over a decade, and is nowhere near a livable figure in the vast majority of the country. So who are these assholes looking out for? Not us...cavete terrae. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #2 October 26, 2005 QuoteCongress has given themselves annual raises for a 'cost of living adjustment'. They can't actually call it a raise, that would violate the 27th Amendment. Fortunately, the Supreme Court is as corrupt as the other branches of government and says these "adjustments" as OK. They make a minimum of $158,100US/yr, and don't forget they don't even work year-round. The minimum wage has stayed the same for over a decade, and is nowhere near a livable figure in the vast majority of the country. So who are these assholes looking out for? Not us... If legislators are actually competent and hard working, $158.1k is very cheap. Sadly, I see a bunch of self-serving self-important hacks, for the most part.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GTAVercetti 0 #3 October 26, 2005 QuoteCongress has given themselves annual raises for a 'cost of living adjustment'. They can't actually call it a raise, that would violate the 27th Amendment. Fortunately, the Supreme Court is as corrupt as the other branches of government and says these "adjustments" as OK. They make a minimum of $158,100US/yr, and don't forget they don't even work year-round. The minimum wage has stayed the same for over a decade, and is nowhere near a livable figure in the vast majority of the country. So who are these assholes looking out for? Not us... As far as I know all government employees get annual 'cost of living adjustments'.Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grue 1 #4 October 26, 2005 Quote If legislators are actually competent and hard working, $158.1k is very cheap. Sadly, I see a bunch of self-serving self-important hacks, for the most part. Exactly!cavete terrae. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReBirth 0 #5 October 26, 2005 QuoteQuote If legislators are actually competent and hard working, $158.1k is very cheap. Sadly, I see a bunch of self-serving self-important hacks, for the most part. Exactly! No one to blame but ourselves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markd_nscr986 0 #6 October 26, 2005 *** Sadly, I see a bunch of self-serving self-important hacks, for the most part. Well........ Kallend for President then! He'll straighten the mess out!Marc SCR 6046 SCS 3004 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #7 October 26, 2005 Quote*** Sadly, I see a bunch of self-serving self-important hacks, for the most part. Well........ Kallend for President then! He'll straighten the mess out! I have a hard time lying with a straight face.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markd_nscr986 0 #8 October 26, 2005 ***I have a hard time lying with a straight face. Marc SCR 6046 SCS 3004 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ColdDuck 0 #9 October 26, 2005 First off, the Senate voted to against a COLA this year. If you think that members of Congress dont work year round, you have obviously never worked in Congress. Most of these people work insane hours all year long. "Insurance should called In case shit happens, if shit don't happen shouldn't I get my money back?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #10 October 26, 2005 QuoteThe minimum wage... is nowhere near a livable figure in the vast majority of the country. What do you think the minimum wage should be? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #11 October 26, 2005 QuoteSo who are these assholes looking out for? Not us... A $10k check to the election campaign will have your congressman keep you in mind. QuoteThey make a minimum of $158,100US/yr, and don't forget they don't even work year-round. Sure they do. They can even be found working on passing a budget weeks after it was supposed to be passed. They gotta get it right, you know. QuoteThe minimum wage has stayed the same for over a decade, and is nowhere near a livable figure in the vast majority of the country. Firstly, I think the minimum wage should go the way of the punch-card operated computers - a good idea, but its usefulness was outlived. Secondly, the minimum wage shouldn't be a "living wage." Maybe a "training wage" for those kids living with their parents who can use the minimum wage to acquire job skills. Any 30 year-old trying to raise two kids and support a wife in a minimum wage job should have taken the job of planning a life a bit more seriously. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReBirth 0 #12 October 26, 2005 QuoteAny 30 year-old trying to raise two kids and support a wife in a minimum wage job should have taken the job of planning a life a bit more seriously. One more time. In an ideal world, great. But it's not an idea world. So, they starve? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GTAVercetti 0 #13 October 26, 2005 QuoteQuoteAny 30 year-old trying to raise two kids and support a wife in a minimum wage job should have taken the job of planning a life a bit more seriously. One more time. In an ideal world, great. But it's not an idea world. So, they starve? You really can get a better job than miminum wage. I had one all the way through college. Its called warehouse worker. At least 12 bux and hour. I have no sympathy for the guy with kids trying to eek it out at McDonalds on minimum wage who bitches.Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tso-d_chris 0 #14 October 26, 2005 QuoteYou really can get a better job than miminum wage. I had one all the way through college. Its called warehouse worker. At least 12 bux and hour. Your mileage may vary. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GTAVercetti 0 #15 October 26, 2005 QuoteQuoteYou really can get a better job than miminum wage. I had one all the way through college. Its called warehouse worker. At least 12 bux and hour. Your mileage may vary. How so? UPS pretty much pays the same rate anywhere. Or FedEx or whatever.Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReBirth 0 #16 October 26, 2005 pssst....there's an unemployment rate because....drum roll.....people seeking jobs are unemployed. That means all available positions, including those paying minimum wage, are filled. Ipso facto...someone has to take those jobs. Or we could just fill them with illegal immigrants I guess. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tso-d_chris 0 #17 October 26, 2005 QuoteHow so? UPS pretty much pays the same rate anywhere. Or FedEx or whatever UPS and FedEx are both known for paying fairly well, although they are not known to be in the warehouse business. I have lived in a few places where a typical warehouse job would start at about $8 an hour, and might top out at $10/hr. Thus, your milage may vary. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GTAVercetti 0 #18 October 26, 2005 Quotepssst....there's an unemployment rate because....drum roll.....people seeking jobs are unemployed. Well those people are not the ones in the minimum wage employment then are they? Raising minimum wage would not really help them would it? There has been a rare moment, no matter what the condition of the unemployment rate, where UPS or RPS was not advertising for at least part-time work where I am from. Box loading is a totally shit job and someone quit every day I was there.Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GTAVercetti 0 #19 October 26, 2005 QuoteQuoteHow so? UPS pretty much pays the same rate anywhere. Or FedEx or whatever UPS and FedEx are both known for paying fairly well, although they are not known to be in the warehouse business. I have lived in a few places where a typical warehouse job would start at about $8 an hour, and might top out at $10/hr. Thus, your milage may vary. Warehouse as in boxes come off a truck and are transfered. Usually they do not go from truck to truck but through a warehouse of sorts. UPS and FedEx and where I worked (Ingram Micro) all dealt with the same type of job...slinging boxes. And beside, 10 bux an hour is STILL better than McDonald's so we are quibbling.Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tso-d_chris 0 #20 October 26, 2005 QuoteWarehouse as in boxes come off a truck and are transfered. Usually they do not go from truck to truck but through a warehouse of sorts. UPS and FedEx and where I worked (Ingram Micro) all dealt with the same type of job...slinging boxes. I've done that work for a contractor for one of the companies you have mentioned, and it didn't pay like you claim. Different markets. QuoteAnd beside, 10 bux an hour is STILL better than McDonald's so we are quibbling If you stay at a single McDs store for the same amount of time it takes to go from $8 to $10 in a warehouse, there is a good chance you will also be making similar money in fast food. But, again, your mileage may vary. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReBirth 0 #21 October 26, 2005 QuoteWell those people are not the ones in the minimum wage employment then are they? Raising minimum wage would not really help them would it? Your missing the point. Minimum wage jobs exist. There are not enough jobs for all people who want to work. Therefore, some people MUST work for minimum wage. It's simple arithmetic. Your statement that you don't have to work for minimum wage is not true, at least not for everyone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #22 October 27, 2005 It's not our job to take care of other people. It's their job to take care of themselves. To quote a sign that was on my biology teacher's desk "A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine." Employers should have to pay what a job is worth. No more. Keep raising minimum wage, and all you end up doing is raising prices, because if McDonalds is paying everyone $10 an hour, they will have to raise prices to stay in business and turn a profit for their investors. If a guy who owns a small business and has two teenage employees who stock shelves and run the cash register now has to provide both of them with health care and pay them $10 an hour, the guy is probably going to go out of business or fire the employees, because he can only raise prices so much, and his cost of operation has just skyrocketed. Either way, jobs are lost and the person who was making $5 an hour is now making nothing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tso-d_chris 0 #23 October 27, 2005 QuoteIt's not our job to take care of other people. It's their job to take care of themselves. To quote a sign that was on my biology teacher's desk "A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine." Employers should have to pay what a job is worth. No more. Keep raising minimum wage, and all you end up doing is raising prices, because if McDonalds is paying everyone $10 an hour, they will have to raise prices to stay in business and turn a profit for their investors. If a guy who owns a small business and has two teenage employees who stock shelves and run the cash register now has to provide both of them with health care and pay them $10 an hour, the guy is probably going to go out of business or fire the employees, because he can only raise prices so much, and his cost of operation has just skyrocketed. Either way, jobs are lost and the person who was making $5 an hour is now making nothing. Could you please explain how having to work a minimum wage job due to the lack of anything better being available is remotely the same as "a lack of planning." Are there so many jobs available in your area that people can work wherever they want for whatever wages they choose? The "it's not our job to take care of people; it's their job to take care of themselves" attitude led us right into the Great Depression. It would be great if everyone could be successful, but that's not how capitalism works. In a capitalist society, in order for someone to get ahead, someone else has to fall behind. It's how that particular system works. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReBirth 0 #24 October 27, 2005 Quote It's not our job to take care of other people. It's their job to take care of themselves. Why such hostility toward your fellow citizens, fellow human kind? Why is it than any policy that tries to elevate people above the level of poverty is so offensive to some people? It strikes me of lacking in any empathy whatsoever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #25 October 27, 2005 Because trying to elevate everyone above poverty doesn't work. It just causes inflation, and while the people in the lowest paying job may make more dollars, those dollars don't go as far, because if you increase wages, you increase cost, and prices go up. They've tried raising the minimum wage, and there are still people who don't make enough money to live on. Unless we go to a completely communistic society where everyone is totally equal, there will always be poor people. Example: the california minimum wage has gone up about $2 in the last ten years. I used to work at Carl's junior ten years ago, so I'm going to use that as an example. Cashiers and cooks make minimum wage to start. The restaurant employs about eight cooks and cashiers every hour it is open. So, if the minimum wage goes up $2, it now costs the restaurant at least $16 more in labor each hour. Doesn't sound like a lot... but, if the restaurant is open from 6 am til midnight, that costs each store about $105,120 per year, plus employment taxes, which I'm not going to begin to try to calculate. So, each store has additional operating costs of at least $105,120. If they've got 1200 restaurants, that costs the company a little over 126 million dollars per year. And, that 126 million dollars gets passed on to the customers. So, increasing the minimum wage doesn't raise quality of life, it just raises prices. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
