Seattle min wage

[Wizzard]

They complain because they make too much money to qualify for the free stuff, go figure.

JULY 8, 2015

SEATTLE EMPLOYEES ASK FOR REDUCED HOURS SO THAT JACKED-UP MINIMUM WAGE WON’T COST THEM SUBSIDIZED HOUSING

By jacking up minimum wage, Seattle has provided a valuable lesson in liberal economics. The plan has now backfired.

 

Nora Gibson is the executive director of Full Life Care told KIRO 7 she saw a sudden reaction from workers when Seattle’s phased minimum-wage ordinance took effect in April, bringing minimum wage to $11 an hour. She said anecdotally, some people feared they would lose their subsidized housing so they have asked that their work hours be reduced to remain eligible for all government subsidies.

 

It doesn’t stop at $11/hour. The law puts it up to $15 starting January 1, 2017, they will have to reduce their work hours even more to remain eligible for handouts. Good thing the minimum wage wasn’t raised even higher, most would not work at all, they prefer to be spoon fed and remain on the government plantation.

 

Remember free market capitalism? Under that system, the harder and smarter you worked, the higher your standard of living. But that was found to result in income inequality, so now we have a system where wealth is bestowed by bureaucrats, and working harder doesn’t always make sense.

[Bighead]

Anyone think it would have been any different?
Oh yeah the Libs that said they deserve it and don't need to work harder to better themselves.
I saw this when first reported and just had to laugh,they are on our dime and will NEVER stand on their own two feet.

[Willow]

It actually may have more to do with practicality than those of us not on the public dole and Ms. Gibson would like to admit.  A small increase resulting in a rise in costs for which one is responsible could actually be a reduction in income.  A similar thing can happen to the rest of us regarding income tax.  A significant pay raise means an increase in income but it's possible for a very small annual increase to put us across a line for the stair stepped income tax rates resulting in an actual decrease of income.

My personal opinion is that mandated minimum wage is a synthetic and generally bad idea.  The side effects and reduction in employed base outweigh the supposed benefit to a few.      

[Wizzard]

It actually may have more to do with practicality than those of us not on the public dole and Ms. Gibson would like to admit.  A small increase resulting in a rise in costs for which one is responsible could actually be a reduction in income.  A similar thing can happen to the rest of us regarding income tax.  A significant pay raise means an increase in income but it's possible for a very small annual increase to put us across a line for the stair stepped income tax rates resulting in an actual decrease of income.

My personal opinion is that mandated minimum wage is a synthetic and generally bad idea.  The side effects and reduction in employed base outweigh the supposed benefit to a few.      

AMEN

[The emperor has no clothes]

They complain because they make too much money to qualify for the free stuff, go figure.

JULY 8, 2015

SEATTLE EMPLOYEES ASK FOR REDUCED HOURS SO THAT JACKED-UP MINIMUM WAGE WON’T COST THEM SUBSIDIZED HOUSING

By jacking up minimum wage, Seattle has provided a valuable lesson in liberal economics. The plan has now backfired.

 

Nora Gibson is the executive director of Full Life Care told KIRO 7 she saw a sudden reaction from workers when Seattle’s phased minimum-wage ordinance took effect in April, bringing minimum wage to $11 an hour. She said anecdotally, some people feared they would lose their subsidized housing so they have asked that their work hours be reduced to remain eligible for all government subsidies.

 

It doesn’t stop at $11/hour. The law puts it up to $15 starting January 1, 2017, they will have to reduce their work hours even more to remain eligible for handouts. Good thing the minimum wage wasn’t raised even higher, most would not work at all, they prefer to be spoon fed and remain on the government plantation.

 

Remember free market capitalism? Under that system, the harder and smarter you worked, the higher your standard of living. But that was found to result in income inequality, so now we have a system where wealth is bestowed by bureaucrats, and working harder doesn’t always make sense.

There are plenty of people making minimum wage that work hard and aren't looking for handouts. There are also plenty of people making BIG money that don't work and pay very little in taxes. I'm sure in your daily life you see them both all the time but pay them no attention.

[cookiedough]

Darn,  11 bucks per hour mininum wage is not bad,  7.25 per hour in WI most pay their employees 8-8.50 per hour though after a short time though.  

If Seattle goes up in 2017 to 15 per hour,  I'll take that.  Been wanting 15 per hour for a few years now still not getting it.  

I think, for me anyways, for raising the mininum wage much higher, it helps out the new employees tremendously but the people working for years doing a good job say training these new employees makes it worse since the somewhat newer hires get paid about the same amount as the people who have been at their jobs for the past 5-10 years or more. 

I see it all the time not just where I work,  the new hires right in their early 20's are getting paid only 25-50 cents less is all vs. someone who has been working doing several other jobs as well cross trained in other areas for over 10+ years who started out say 10 years ago making 1/2 of what they pay the new hires now.  A few where I work said they should quit and get re-hired doing exact same job for even 25 cents more per hour as a new hire all over again. 

I'm not so sure it has always been like this say in the 1950's thru 1970's or is just more recent in the past decade or so?  I do know though my Dad who worked in the same GM factory in the 1950's thru 1988 retiring was making around say 23 bucks per hour in 1988 for over 34 years of service.  I guess when he retired in 1988 there were 20 year olds making near 18 bucks per hour for sweeping floors basically, so guessing it has always been this way with certain employers?

Length of service/loyalty is no longer considered a valuable commodity to most employers for very good workers even, thus the reason why so many employees keep switching jobs so often?  Not always true though since my wife has been treated very well receiving a few times a 5K bonus per year at Xmas time.  Few and far I would imagine in today's world where employer's are trying to save every penny they can.  Plus, as in this case in Seattle maybe,  if mininum wage goes up that much,   it very well could put some companies out of business for good not being able to afford employees at all. 

[Rams]

I have always maintained that the only people to benefit from raising the minimum wage are those who are selling to the minimum wage folks.    Such a raise is rarely if ever across the board with middle income folks getting a raise also, therefor, the middle class's buying power is reduced.   The lower minimum wage earners only benefit a short time until prices go up reflecting the recent increase.    I don't guess I'll ever understand how the Liberal mind works.   

Seems to me, they keep cutting down the trees so they can view the forest then, don't understand why there is no forest to view.

[BF]

If Seattle goes up in 2017 to 15 per hour,  I'll take that.  Been wanting 15 per hour for a few years now still not getting it.  

Holy starvation wages Batman.     I don't know how you survive on less than 15 bucks an hour....and raise a family too.  Dang.   

I know I couldn't do it for that little. 

[czuch]

All boats dont rise in this travesty. It dosent make the $20.00 employee a $55.00 employee.
A burger flipper is comensurate with a more skilled, dedicated employee, whats the incentive for advancement?
Right, none, therefore why bother.
If I can make the same without working to advance or excell,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ORDER UP!!!!!!!

[Patrick]

Some folks need to take a 'real' economics course. $15/hr is just plain crazy and I can't wait for the results to kick in, and, of course the liberals will blame that on the conservatives.

I like McDonalds response as it sounds like something I would do.

[BonS]

[G-Man]

They complain because they make too much money to qualify for the free stuff, go figure.

JULY 8, 2015

SEATTLE EMPLOYEES ASK FOR REDUCED HOURS SO THAT JACKED-UP MINIMUM WAGE WON’T COST THEM SUBSIDIZED HOUSING

By jacking up minimum wage, Seattle has provided a valuable lesson in liberal economics. The plan has now backfired.

 

Nora Gibson is the executive director of Full Life Care told KIRO 7 she saw a sudden reaction from workers when Seattle’s phased minimum-wage ordinance took effect in April, bringing minimum wage to $11 an hour. She said anecdotally, some people feared they would lose their subsidized housing so they have asked that their work hours be reduced to remain eligible for all government subsidies.

 

It doesn’t stop at $11/hour. The law puts it up to $15 starting January 1, 2017, they will have to reduce their work hours even more to remain eligible for handouts. Good thing the minimum wage wasn’t raised even higher, most would not work at all, they prefer to be spoon fed and remain on the government plantation.

 

Remember free market capitalism? Under that system, the harder and smarter you worked, the higher your standard of living. But that was found to result in income inequality, so now we have a system where wealth is bestowed by bureaucrats, and working harder doesn’t always make sense.

There are plenty of people making minimum wage that work hard and aren't looking for handouts. There are also plenty of people making BIG money that don't work and pay very little in taxes. I'm sure in your daily life you see them both all the time but pay them no attention.

But you have know idea how hard that person who is making BIG money had to work in order to get there, or what he had to sacrifice, for how many hours over how many years in order to make that BIG money.  How much he owes each month in student and/or business loans, and how much risk he took in order to succeed.

And what or who we notice is another assumption on your part.  You shouldn't project your thoughts onto others and then say "I'm sure......"  because you have no idea.

[The emperor has no clothes]

They complain because they make too much money to qualify for the free stuff, go figure.

JULY 8, 2015

SEATTLE EMPLOYEES ASK FOR REDUCED HOURS SO THAT JACKED-UP MINIMUM WAGE WON’T COST THEM SUBSIDIZED HOUSING

By jacking up minimum wage, Seattle has provided a valuable lesson in liberal economics. The plan has now backfired.

 

Nora Gibson is the executive director of Full Life Care told KIRO 7 she saw a sudden reaction from workers when Seattle’s phased minimum-wage ordinance took effect in April, bringing minimum wage to $11 an hour. She said anecdotally, some people feared they would lose their subsidized housing so they have asked that their work hours be reduced to remain eligible for all government subsidies.

 

It doesn’t stop at $11/hour. The law puts it up to $15 starting January 1, 2017, they will have to reduce their work hours even more to remain eligible for handouts. Good thing the minimum wage wasn’t raised even higher, most would not work at all, they prefer to be spoon fed and remain on the government plantation.

 

Remember free market capitalism? Under that system, the harder and smarter you worked, the higher your standard of living. But that was found to result in income inequality, so now we have a system where wealth is bestowed by bureaucrats, and working harder doesn’t always make sense.

There are plenty of people making minimum wage that work hard and aren't looking for handouts. There are also plenty of people making BIG money that don't work and pay very little in taxes. I'm sure in your daily life you see them both all the time but pay them no attention.

But you have know idea how hard that person who is making BIG money had to work in order to get there, or what he had to sacrifice, for how many hours over how many years in order to make that BIG money.  How much he owes each month in student and/or business loans, and how much risk he took in order to succeed.

And what or who we notice is another assumption on your part.  You shouldn't project your thoughts onto others and then say "I'm sure......"  because you have no idea.

Oh I have an idea that many assume someone making minimum wage is lazy and or dumb. And that someone making big money is a hard worker and or smart. There are many that don't fit that mold.

[cookiedough]

If Seattle goes up in 2017 to 15 per hour,  I'll take that.  Been wanting 15 per hour for a few years now still not getting it.  

Holy starvation wages Batman.     I don't know how you survive on less than 15 bucks an hour....and raise a family too.  Dang.   

I know I couldn't do it for that little. 

It's either called being 'cheap' or what I call VERY 'frugal' spender.  2 incomes help as well with wife making more moola than me for sure.  Don't go out to eat hardly at all and don't blow money on needless stuff.  It can be done, but not many Americans do it unfortunately.  One of the many dozens of reasons why the US economy is billions in debt, they spend money they do NOT have, simple concept that most do not know.  I know families nearby dual income earners making 2x's we do that are in debt a lot vs. us.  It's all about common sense.  Then again, if most Americans spend so little as we do,  the U.S. economy would probably fold under since 1,000's of businesses would no longer be in business. 

Geographic regions say in California or Florida or even Seattle are 2-4 times (if not more my guess) more expensive to live than where I live, but am sure the minimum wage and overall pay scale is 2-3x's or more as well.  It's all relative to where each of us live to some degree.    My property taxes living 30 miles south of Madison WI is 1/2 of what they pay, but then again,  I pay more in gas for more miles on our cars but still cheaper living. 

[Bighead]

They complain because they make too much money to qualify for the free stuff, go figure.

JULY 8, 2015

SEATTLE EMPLOYEES ASK FOR REDUCED HOURS SO THAT JACKED-UP MINIMUM WAGE WON’T COST THEM SUBSIDIZED HOUSING

By jacking up minimum wage, Seattle has provided a valuable lesson in liberal economics. The plan has now backfired.

 

Nora Gibson is the executive director of Full Life Care told KIRO 7 she saw a sudden reaction from workers when Seattle’s phased minimum-wage ordinance took effect in April, bringing minimum wage to $11 an hour. She said anecdotally, some people feared they would lose their subsidized housing so they have asked that their work hours be reduced to remain eligible for all government subsidies.

 

It doesn’t stop at $11/hour. The law puts it up to $15 starting January 1, 2017, they will have to reduce their work hours even more to remain eligible for handouts. Good thing the minimum wage wasn’t raised even higher, most would not work at all, they prefer to be spoon fed and remain on the government plantation.

 

Remember free market capitalism? Under that system, the harder and smarter you worked, the higher your standard of living. But that was found to result in income inequality, so now we have a system where wealth is bestowed by bureaucrats, and working harder doesn’t always make sense.

There are plenty of people making minimum wage that work hard and aren't looking for handouts. There are also plenty of people making BIG money that don't work and pay very little in taxes. I'm sure in your daily life you see them both all the time but pay them no attention.

But you have know idea how hard that person who is making BIG money had to work in order to get there, or what he had to sacrifice, for how many hours over how many years in order to make that BIG money.  How much he owes each month in student and/or business loans, and how much risk he took in order to succeed.

And what or who we notice is another assumption on your part.  You shouldn't project your thoughts onto others and then say "I'm sure......"  because you have no idea.

Oh I have an idea that many assume someone making minimum wage is lazy and or dumb. And that someone making big money is a hard worker and or smart. There are many that don't fit that mold.

Not true at all meathead not true at all. I have worked for minimum wage when it was waaaaaay less than what it is now. Did I ask for any assistance ?Nope I was raised different than that, I was raised to work for what you have and don't expect anyone to pay your way but yourself .Was I lazy or dumb NO. I paid a mortgage and kept the lights on but was I satisfied hell No so I got a second job and doubled my Minimum wage then was like what the hell am I working two jobs for? So I put my nose to the grind stone and changed jobs and worked my way into a better job then another one better than that. Making min wage and struggling a bit made me want to do better.
People who wanted higher min wages got what they wanted now they want to work less hours so they make the same? So they can still get a handout? Seems like sideways thinking to me.

[solo1]

Sorta along the same lines is my experience in the past.

I was employed in 1957 at the local VA hospital as a supervisory registered Xray tech.  I had a GS rating (professional) .  The janitors at the VA were making .16 cents more on the hour than i was.  They were WB (wage board).  Their wages were set by the prevailing wage for their job description in that locality.
My salary was set by Congress.

Come to think of it, maybe that would've worked just fine today if Congress had remained stingy, we wouldn't have so many high paid federal bureaucrats.!

[Wizzard]

They complain because they make too much money to qualify for the free stuff, go figure.

JULY 8, 2015

SEATTLE EMPLOYEES ASK FOR REDUCED HOURS SO THAT JACKED-UP MINIMUM WAGE WON’T COST THEM SUBSIDIZED HOUSING

By jacking up minimum wage, Seattle has provided a valuable lesson in liberal economics. The plan has now backfired.

 

Nora Gibson is the executive director of Full Life Care told KIRO 7 she saw a sudden reaction from workers when Seattle’s phased minimum-wage ordinance took effect in April, bringing minimum wage to $11 an hour. She said anecdotally, some people feared they would lose their subsidized housing so they have asked that their work hours be reduced to remain eligible for all government subsidies.

 

It doesn’t stop at $11/hour. The law puts it up to $15 starting January 1, 2017, they will have to reduce their work hours even more to remain eligible for handouts. Good thing the minimum wage wasn’t raised even higher, most would not work at all, they prefer to be spoon fed and remain on the government plantation.

 

Remember free market capitalism? Under that system, the harder and smarter you worked, the higher your standard of living. But that was found to result in income inequality, so now we have a system where wealth is bestowed by bureaucrats, and working harder doesn’t always make sense.

There are plenty of people making minimum wage that work hard and aren't looking for handouts. There are also plenty of people making BIG money that don't work and pay very little in taxes. I'm sure in your daily life you see them both all the time but pay them no attention.

But you have know idea how hard that person who is making BIG money had to work in order to get there, or what he had to sacrifice, for how many hours over how many years in order to make that BIG money.  How much he owes each month in student and/or business loans, and how much risk he took in order to succeed.

And what or who we notice is another assumption on your part.  You shouldn't project your thoughts onto others and then say "I'm sure......"  because you have no idea.

Oh I have an idea that many assume someone making minimum wage is lazy and or dumb. And that someone making big money is a hard worker and or smart. There are many that don't fit that mold.

There are many that don't fit any mold. But I think you are wrong. I think the majority of successful people have worked for what they have and know how to handle money. Yes there are a few that inherited it,, but somewhere, someone worked so they could have it.
I also do not believe that money is fix for happiness. I may never have a ton of money, but I will always have the most important things that make me happy that money cannot buy.
Put more emphasis on education and common sense and less on money.

[Bighead]

Just common sense would be good Wizzard. An education certainly does not make you smart.
Had a boss tell me one time it is not hard to get up and go to work when you get used to eating regularly

[art]

I don't see the $15 per hour as the problem.40 years ago I was making $12 an hour and bought a home for $19000 and had two new cars. today I'd be lucky to get $20 an hour as a machinist here in Or. and the houses start around $200000 and a top of the line American car is around $40000.  On one wage there is no way I could afford that. Wages have just not kept up with the cost of living in the past 30 years. That is the problem along with many good paying jobs going overseas. My last good paying job with the GE as a jet engine machinist was $18 an hour in 1993 and that job went overseas and the plant shut its doors.200 people lost there jobs. GONE GONE. So $15 is not bad if you have to live on it to raise a family, granted some ding dong flipping burgers just out of school it's a lot of money. My son owns his Triumph dealership in Socal and is going to have problems meeting the wages when the min. goes up because every one of his workers are going to want a raise and then his shop rate will have to go up to meet his cost. Wages have to keep up with the cost of living or people will stop buying. That's another reason Walmart is making so much money. Going shopping at any other market for food cost 20% more.

[cookiedough]

I don't see the $15 per hour as the problem.40 years ago I was making $12 an hour and bought a home for $19000 and had two new cars. today I'd be lucky to get $20 an hour as a machinist here in Or. and the houses start around $200000 and a top of the line American car is around $40000.  On one wage there is no way I could afford that. Wages have just not kept up with the cost of living in the past 30 years. That is the problem along with many good paying jobs going overseas. My last good paying job with the GE as a jet engine machinist was $18 an hour in 1993 and that job went overseas and the plant shut its doors.200 people lost there jobs. GONE GONE. So $15 is not bad if you have to live on it to raise a family, granted some ding dong flipping burgers just out of school it's a lot of money. My son owns his Triumph dealership in Socal and is going to have problems meeting the wages when the min. goes up because every one of his workers are going to want a raise and then his shop rate will have to go up to meet his cost. Wages have to keep up with the cost of living or people will stop buying. That's another reason Walmart is making so much money. Going shopping at any other market for food cost 20% more.

I agree,  wages have not kept up even close with cost of living past 30 years or so that is so true.

that is pretty darn good though you making 12 bucks per hour 40 years ago and getting a house for 19K which was the norm way back then for homes anyways, not so much making 12 bucks per hour for sure.  My parents bought the house we lived in some 44 years ago for 17K, value if sold now for guessing 90-100 grand.   17K now only gets you a very nice garage built or maybe concrete foundation with basement concrete walls is all.   Wages around me in the early 90's were 8.50 per hour being the norm for a normal office job and now some 25 years later is almost double that, if that.   All depends on profession though am sure.   I do know though our property taxes from 1993 vs. now have surely doubled and then some a little in price for same exact home.   

[DIGGER]

they will just get the amount they can make raised and still have free housing and benefits

[Moonshot_1]

Wages cannot ever “keep up” with “cost of living”. Prevailing wages are a factor in the cost of living. Raising of wages (arbitrary raising) increases cost (not arbitrary) of business which increases the cost of living. It’s like trying to get x to = x+1. So you add 1. But you get x+1= (x+1)+1.

The thought out there apparently that we can raise the minimum wage of fast food workers to $15 and still get a $4 big mac.
And it can be done. Just with robots. And that is the path we will be on.

Try and do it with real employees and the Big Macs go to $8 each. Want fries? $4 more for a small one. $3 drink. $60 for a quick meal for a minimum wage job family of 4 at McDonalds.

Or the $4 big mac you can’t afford because your job is now being done by the robot.
Yeah, that worked out real good.

The money to pay the $15 an hour has got to come from somewhere and that somewhere needs to also be profitable at the same time.

Personally, I don’t believe there should be a minimum wage law. Wages should be dictated by the market. Have much more faith in the market being efficient and fair than the government.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Personally, I don’t believe there should be a minimum wage law. Wages should be dictated by the market. Have much more faith in the market being efficient and fair than the government.

While we are at it why not get rid of all regulations on businesses. Environmental, labor laws, etc. After all we can count on them to do the right thing. They would never exploit the workers or the environment for more profit. There was a time when this was the case in the not too distant past. And we know how it worked.

[Rams]

Personally, I don’t believe there should be a minimum wage law. Wages should be dictated by the market. Have much more faith in the market being efficient and fair than the government.

While we are at it why not get rid of all regulations on businesses. Environmental, labor laws, etc. After all we can count on them to do the right thing. They would never exploit the workers or the environment for more profit. There was a time when this was the case in the not too distant past. And we know how it worked.

Apples and Oranges.  Labor needs, Labor Skills and Labor Availability are what drive Labor Wages.    Companies/Corporations are in business to make a profit.    If a company needs laborers with specific skills, they will normally have to pay more to get those laborers unless the market is flooded with people who possess those skills.     Burger flipping is not a position requiring a higher education or a great amount of skill.     If someone wants to make more than a burger flipper, then there are many avenues available to get there.

[Moonshot_1]

We should get rid of all the regulations on businesses that are based on lousy philosophy. I agree.

Are there unscrupulous business people? Of course. Should there be laws and regulations to address that? Absolutely.  Does an arbitrary minimum wage address that? No.

Minimum wage is not designed to

Raise a family of 4.
Buy a new car.
Buy a $200,000 house
Vacation in the Hamptons
Shop in Paris for the latest fashions.

The minimum wage law was designed for one simple purpose... to make politicians look good to their constituents.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

I honestly don't know if it was instituted to make politicians look good or not. I do know that it has fallen behind cost of living. There are many on here that receive Social Security . Which receives cost of living increases. Nobody seems to have a problem with that.

[Bighead]

I honestly don't know if it was instituted to make politicians look good or not. I do know that it has fallen behind cost of living. There are many on here that receive Social Security . Which receives cost of living increases. Nobody seems to have a problem with that.

No problem with that at all how many years did those pay SS vs how many years they will collect?
Pay 45+ yrs and collect maybe 15-20?

[art]

SS cost of living increase last year was $22 ins went up $19, the year before col for SS was $0. WHOPPI $3 in two years.

[The emperor has no clothes]

SS cost of living increase last year was $22 ins went up $19, the year before col for SS was $0. WHOPPI $3 in two years.

I think most minimum wage earners would be tickled pink with these.
http://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/colaseries.html

[art]

SS cost of living increase last year was $22 ins went up $19, the year before col for SS was $0. WHOPPI $3 in two years.

I think most minimum wage earners would be tickled pink with these.
http://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/colaseries.html

There's BS somewhere there because 2013 I got $0 col.

[The emperor has no clothes]

SS cost of living increase last year was $22 ins went up $19, the year before col for SS was $0. WHOPPI $3 in two years.

I think most minimum wage earners would be tickled pink with these.
http://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/colaseries.html

There's BS somewhere there because 2013 I got $0 col.

They probably cut yours back to pay for every one else 

[art]

SS cost of living increase last year was $22 ins went up $19, the year before col for SS was $0. WHOPPI $3 in two years.

I think most minimum wage earners would be tickled pink with these.
http://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/colaseries.html

There's BS somewhere there because 2013 I got $0 col.

They probably cut yours back to pay for every one else 

Probably. I'm always getting screwed

[Moonshot_1]

SS cost of living increase last year was $22 ins went up $19, the year before col for SS was $0. WHOPPI $3 in two years.

I think most minimum wage earners would be tickled pink with these.
http://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/colaseries.html

This would be like suggesting that LeBron James would be tickled pink scoring 3 touchdowns in a baseball game.

Minimum wage and SS exist in totally different universes.

Also seems to be a lack of concern for the business folk, large or small, having to fork out these arbitrary increases. I'm sure all they have to do is dig out the gold stashed in the basement to pay for all this.

Just remember, robots don't need a minimum wage, health care, or retirement plan. So be careful for what you wish for.

[The emperor has no clothes]

SS cost of living increase last year was $22 ins went up $19, the year before col for SS was $0. WHOPPI $3 in two years.

I think most minimum wage earners would be tickled pink with these.
http://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/colaseries.html

This would be like suggesting that LeBron James would be tickled pink scoring 3 touchdowns in a baseball game.

Minimum wage and SS exist in totally different universes.

Also seems to be a lack of concern for the business folk, large or small, having to fork out these arbitrary increases. I'm sure all they have to do is dig out the gold stashed in the basement to pay for all this.

Just remember, robots don't need a minimum wage, health care, or retirement plan. So be careful for what you wish for.

I agree. S.S. and minimum wage are not the same. I just used it as an example of the hypocrisy of how some view a COLA is ok for them but not for others.

[baldo]

Personally, I don’t believe there should be a minimum wage law. Wages should be dictated by the market. Have much more faith in the market being efficient and fair than the government.

While we are at it why not get rid of all regulations on businesses. Environmental, labor laws, etc. After all we can count on them to do the right thing. They would never exploit the workers or the environment for more profit. There was a time when this was the case in the not too distant past. And we know how it worked.

You took the words right out of my mouth.....Yes, I'm sure those corporate types would like nothing better than to see their employees living well. Their first, last and every thought in-between is profit.

[MarkT]

Want to see the effect on a culture, of excessive welfare?  Go visit any Indian reservation.  Oh excuse me, Native American nation.  Able-bodied men standing around doing nothing and looking very depressed.  A once-proud people without pride, living in squalor; won't pick up after themselves.  All of their properties look like junkyards. The govt gives them their living, gives them their vehicles, gives them their trailers (none actually have houses). They have NO incentive to better themselves.  And the left thinks they "owe" it to the Indians to keep them beaten down with handouts - just like they did to the blacks, historically and still to this day. The Indians use the trailers up and abandon them -  just move into the next new one the govt gives them.  Some have the ambition to try to start a business - which the govt seeds.  They have no idea how to run the business, so it fails.  There are more abandoned businesses on reservations, than ongoing ones.  They can't even meet health standards in a food establishment.  Look at the Indian run concessions at any National Park which is on a reservation - say Monument Valley, run by the Navajo.  What a mess.  I visited Kayenta AZ, near Monument Valley.  99% Navajo.  What a depressing place.  Drive through any reservation in the country.  Same story.  I've seen only this phenomenon throughout the country.  It's shameful.  Thanks lefties.  Lets apply the same logic - handing out unearned raises, locking people into the dole, so they have no incentive to better themselves.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Want to see the effect on a culture, of excessive welfare?  Go visit any Indian reservation.  Oh excuse me, Native American nation.  Able-bodied men standing around doing nothing and looking very depressed.  A once-proud people without pride, living in squalor; won't pick up after themselves.  All of their properties look like junkyards. The govt gives them their living, gives them their vehicles, gives them their trailers (none actually have houses). They have NO incentive to better themselves.  And the left thinks they "owe" it to the Indians to keep them beaten down with handouts - just like they did to the blacks, historically and still to this day. The Indians use the trailers up and abandon them -  just move into the next new one the govt gives them.  Some have the ambition to try to start a business - which the govt seeds.  They have no idea how to run the business, so it fails.  There are more abandoned businesses on reservations, than ongoing ones.  They can't even meet health standards in a food establishment.  Look at the Indian run concessions at any National Park which is on a reservation - say Monument Valley, run by the Navajo.  What a mess.  I visited Kayenta AZ, near Monument Valley.  99% Navajo.  What a depressing place.  Drive through any reservation in the country.  Same story.  I've seen only this phenomenon throughout the country.  It's shameful.  Thanks lefties.

Uh, ok. And this relates to Seattle minimum wage rate how ? For the record I remember seeing houses on the reservation. And I didn't think Kayenta was that depressing. 

[MarkT]

Want to see the effect on a culture, of excessive welfare?  Go visit any Indian reservation.  Oh excuse me, Native American nation.  Able-bodied men standing around doing nothing and looking very depressed.  A once-proud people without pride, living in squalor; won't pick up after themselves.  All of their properties look like junkyards. The govt gives them their living, gives them their vehicles, gives them their trailers (none actually have houses). They have NO incentive to better themselves.  And the left thinks they "owe" it to the Indians to keep them beaten down with handouts - just like they did to the blacks, historically and still to this day. The Indians use the trailers up and abandon them -  just move into the next new one the govt gives them.  Some have the ambition to try to start a business - which the govt seeds.  They have no idea how to run the business, so it fails.  There are more abandoned businesses on reservations, than ongoing ones.  They can't even meet health standards in a food establishment.  Look at the Indian run concessions at any National Park which is on a reservation - say Monument Valley, run by the Navajo.  What a mess.  I visited Kayenta AZ, near Monument Valley.  99% Navajo.  What a depressing place.  Drive through any reservation in the country.  Same story.  I've seen only this phenomenon throughout the country.  It's shameful.  Thanks lefties. Lets apply the same logic - handing out unearned raises, locking people into the dole, so they have no incentive to better themselves.

Uh, ok. And this relates to Seattle minimum wage rate how ? For the record I remember seeing houses on the reservation. And I didn't think Kayenta was that depressing.  

You drove right through Kayenta?  Didn't see hundreds of able-bodied men lazing about?  Don't blame you.  It was depressing.  I was there for hours, several times. I had my eyes open.  Oh excuse me on the houses comment.  Might be 5% have houses.  I mis-spoke.  If you have your eyes closed or would prefer to not notice their plight you likely wouldn't notice 95% are in trailers.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Want to see the effect on a culture, of excessive welfare?  Go visit any Indian reservation.  Oh excuse me, Native American nation.  Able-bodied men standing around doing nothing and looking very depressed.  A once-proud people without pride, living in squalor; won't pick up after themselves.  All of their properties look like junkyards. The govt gives them their living, gives them their vehicles, gives them their trailers (none actually have houses). They have NO incentive to better themselves.  And the left thinks they "owe" it to the Indians to keep them beaten down with handouts - just like they did to the blacks, historically and still to this day. The Indians use the trailers up and abandon them -  just move into the next new one the govt gives them.  Some have the ambition to try to start a business - which the govt seeds.  They have no idea how to run the business, so it fails.  There are more abandoned businesses on reservations, than ongoing ones.  They can't even meet health standards in a food establishment.  Look at the Indian run concessions at any National Park which is on a reservation - say Monument Valley, run by the Navajo.  What a mess.  I visited Kayenta AZ, near Monument Valley.  99% Navajo.  What a depressing place.  Drive through any reservation in the country.  Same story.  I've seen only this phenomenon throughout the country.  It's shameful.  Thanks lefties. Lets apply the same logic - handing out unearned raises, locking people into the dole, so they have no incentive to better themselves.

Uh, ok. And this relates to Seattle minimum wage rate how ? For the record I remember seeing houses on the reservation. And I didn't think Kayenta was that depressing.  

You drove right through Kayenta?  Didn't see hundreds of able-bodied men lazing about?  Don't blame you.  It was depressing.  I was there for hours, several times. I had my eyes open.  Oh excuse me on the houses comment.  Might be 5% have houses.  I mis-spoke.  If you have your eyes closed or would prefer to not notice their plight you likely wouldn't notice 95% are in trailers.

I will grant you Kayenta is not Sedona. But there are plenty of places that are depressing (at least to me). Stockton, N. Las Vegas, among others come to mind. BUT I'M STILL WONDERING WHAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH SEATTLE MINIMUM WAGE ?

[MarkT]

Want to see the effect on a culture, of excessive welfare?  Go visit any Indian reservation.  Oh excuse me, Native American nation.  Able-bodied men standing around doing nothing and looking very depressed.  A once-proud people without pride, living in squalor; won't pick up after themselves.  All of their properties look like junkyards. The govt gives them their living, gives them their vehicles, gives them their trailers (none actually have houses). They have NO incentive to better themselves.  And the left thinks they "owe" it to the Indians to keep them beaten down with handouts - just like they did to the blacks, historically and still to this day. The Indians use the trailers up and abandon them -  just move into the next new one the govt gives them.  Some have the ambition to try to start a business - which the govt seeds.  They have no idea how to run the business, so it fails.  There are more abandoned businesses on reservations, than ongoing ones.  They can't even meet health standards in a food establishment.  Look at the Indian run concessions at any National Park which is on a reservation - say Monument Valley, run by the Navajo.  What a mess.  I visited Kayenta AZ, near Monument Valley.  99% Navajo.  What a depressing place.  Drive through any reservation in the country.  Same story.  I've seen only this phenomenon throughout the country.  It's shameful.  Thanks lefties. Lets apply the same logic - handing out unearned raises, locking people into the dole, so they have no incentive to better themselves.

Uh, ok. And this relates to Seattle minimum wage rate how ? For the record I remember seeing houses on the reservation. And I didn't think Kayenta was that depressing.  

You drove right through Kayenta?  Didn't see hundreds of able-bodied men lazing about?  Don't blame you.  It was depressing.  I was there for hours, several times. I had my eyes open.  Oh excuse me on the houses comment.  Might be 5% have houses.  I mis-spoke.  If you have your eyes closed or would prefer to not notice their plight you likely wouldn't notice 95% are in trailers.

I will grant you Kayenta is not Sedona. But there are plenty of places that are depressing (at least to me). Stockton, N. Las Vegas, among others come to mind. BUT I'M STILL WONDERING WHAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH SEATTLE MINIMUM WAGE ?

You responded so fast you missed my last edit in the original paragraph.  AND DON'T SHOUT AT ME.