General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Sorry... a $15 minimum wage is too high [View all]Melurkyoulongtime
(136 posts)I've actually been saying that for years to people who last made minimum wage back in the 60s - 80s. They have absolutely no idea how much buying power the minimum wage has lost over the past decades and furthermore most don't really give a shite when you press them on the issue either. It's the "Fuck you Jack, I got mine" mentality all over again.
For example I made $5/hour in the early 90s while in college (MW was $4.25 at the time) and due to the crappy economy and a layoff in 2012 I make $8/hour now (I had been making $20/hour + excellent benefits when I was fortunate enough to work within my industry). That $5/hour wage had quite a bit more buying power back then than my $8/hour does today. Not only does the MW need to be indexed for inflation it also needs to have expenses not included in the inflation index factored in as stated in above posts.
It is unconscionable that people are working 40+ hours a week and can't even afford an EFFICIENCY apartment on their own in my area and I'm in a CHEAP part of the South. Everyone I work with RIGHT NOW lives with relatives due to housing costs except our general manager. Ridiculous! My company is a $6 billion a year business and pays our CEO tens of millions a year for what? Golfing? Schmoozing? What, pray tell, is this guy doing that makes HIS service worth so much more than those of us that actually you know, do the real work?
Oh, and the $20/hour job I had? It's a $6 billion dollar a year company as well except THEY started their new hires out at $13 back in 2012.