Great quote from the fast food workers strike in Chicago

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by williepotatoes

I think testing would also reveal a severely mutated "fairness gene".

He has no "fairness" gene; he's just morally and ethically bankrupt.

[eevee]

Originally Posted by NARFALICIOUS

Should these positions they are taking at McDonalds pay the same wage that they would have received in a position related to their degree?? NO!

I never once insinuated that. However, I'm tired of this dated idea that the only people who are working these minimum wage jobs are teens with no financial obligations, illegal immigrants, and high school drop outs. Once people realize that some of the people working these jobs are college educated, are perhaps former teachers, white collar, and blue collar workers hit hard by the recession, are just your basic run-of-the-mill Americans trying to make ends meet, maybe the fight for a more liveable wage will make progress. No adult can live on $8.25/hour and this country can't thrive on a subset of adults making these poverty wages.

[Atlanta_BD]

Originally Posted by eevee

I never once insinuated that. However, I'm tired of this dated idea that the only people who are working these minimum wage jobs are teens with no financial obligations, illegal immigrants, and high school drop outs. Once people realize that some of the people working these jobs are college educated, are perhaps former teachers, white collar, and blue collar workers hit hard by the recession, are just your basic run-of-the-mill Americans trying to make ends meet, maybe the fight for a more liveable wage will make progress. No adult can live on $8.25/hour and this country can't thrive on a subset of adults making these poverty wages.

I was forced to take a restaurant job after being laid off from my government job in 2009 during the recession. Many who worked there were college educated, some even had masters degrees. So yes, what you say is very true. In fact, 98% of the staff were adults, most with families and not all illegals.

No adult person should be working (or even working two jobs) and still not be able to pay their rent.

[lenniel]

Originally Posted by williepotatoes

I think testing would also reveal a severely mutated "fairness gene".

Ha ha. You know what my Dad used to say when I was younger and complained about something being 'not fair'.
He said "Too bad, life aint fair"

It's a tough, dog eat dog world out there and it's not that I'm unsympathetic to peoples' struggles. I've been there myself and have had family members struggle financially.

It may not be fair that a Fortune 500 CEO makes $10 million but it's not fair that Kim Kardashian does either.

But, I'm a firm believer that you make your own luck. Well, not really luck because as they say, "luck is when preparation meets opportunity"

[lenniel]

Originally Posted by urza216

That would be me. However, my 401K isn't very much so I obviously cant be doing this s*** forever.

Well, at least you're trying so that's worth something. (that's an honest statement)

I have an uncle who literally pushes a broom (school janitor) and cashed out his 401K to buy scratch off lottery tickets....

[EJ3791]

Originally Posted by eevee

I never once insinuated that. However, I'm tired of this dated idea that the only people who are working these minimum wage jobs are teens with no financial obligations, illegal immigrants, and high school drop outs. Once people realize that some of the people working these jobs are college educated, are perhaps former teachers, white collar, and blue collar workers hit hard by the recession, are just your basic run-of-the-mill Americans trying to make ends meet, maybe the fight for a more liveable wage will make progress. No adult can live on $8.25/hour and this country can't thrive on a subset of adults making these poverty wages.

This position seems to imply that work should be compensated based in the needs of the worker, rather than the value of the work. I don't see how having unskilled, low-responsibility work done by a self-supporting adult makes that work any more valuable than the same work done by a college kid who lives off his folks.

[ChicagoMeO]

Originally Posted by eevee

I never once insinuated that. However, I'm tired of this dated idea that the only people who are working these minimum wage jobs are teens with no financial obligations, illegal immigrants, and high school drop outs. Once people realize that some of the people working these jobs are college educated, are perhaps former teachers, white collar, and blue collar workers hit hard by the recession, are just your basic run-of-the-mill Americans trying to make ends meet, maybe the fight for a more liveable wage will make progress. No adult can live on $8.25/hour and this country can't thrive on a subset of adults making these poverty wages.

Not trying to be mean but ...

is it the fault of these big companies that people with college degrees are working at minimum wage at McDonalds?

is it their responsibility to do for the employee what the employee HAS to do for themself -

even the constitution promises life liberty and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS,,, it doesn't guarantee it, but the pursuit of it.

maybe think about what that means to each of us.

the early pioneers who crossed the Apalachian mountains and went west had only what they could carry on their covered wagons. when they got to their land, they had to hoe up the dirt and cut down trees and live in the cold becuse they didn't have time to build a proper house. i dont know many people who have the stamina to do that nowadays. try watching some of the PBS shows, and it is amazing how people in other times worked and strived till they got something. (Pioneer House is one show)

But back to modern times, if you want the salary and perks that higher management earns, then you have the opportunity to do so. you too could have their job.. but remember, they earned it, (with some exceptions like if the father handed down the business to the children who now are in charge); but if you want something so bad, find out what it takes, create opportunities, and work hard and you might have a chance. forget the crap like "oh im blah blah color so i cant get a good job like a person of another color can get." just go for what you want, work hard, and you might get what you EARNED.

i agree with the person above that says jobs are not meant to benefit the worker but the worker has to contribute to the job. i mean wages are not set based on what the employees needs are, but what the employers needs are. We have a lot of opportunities in America and Canada compared to people in Russia who have to stand in 2 hour long lines for a loaf of stale bread. they have it worse than us . even prisoners in america have 3 hot meals a day, and they are prisoners.

[Chi-town Native]

Slight problem with that narrative is the early pioneers were staking claims to free land that had been cleared of American Indians by the U.S. Army at gunpoint.

Not really a good comparison with labor markets in fully mature urban areas where you have tens of thousands of people looking for work.