[Flipside]

Not always, the biggest culprits in the low-wage band are often those that can most easily afford it.  Too high a wage could certainly cripple smaller companies, but as far as larger corporations are concerned it's more about profit for the shareholder.

[Liberator]

Originally posted by Raa


Because it's so easy to survive on 5.15/hr, right?

It's not meant to be a living wage.  If you need a higher income, you shouldn't be applying for minimum wage jobs.

Like I said before, people who start at minimum and stay there are shooting themselves in the foot most of the time, of the, now, 4 jobs that I've ever held, I was given a raise after a very short period of time or started at higher that minimum.

As far as unemployment checks go, if you're on the unemployment rolls, you're supposed to be actively seeking employment or possibly gaining skills that will allow you to get a job.  You talk like you expect someone to hire you and pay you a fat check right from the start.  It doesn't work like that.  It can't really, I mean would you pay someone not worth a damn, who's late to work everyday and is generally a slouch, the same rate or salary as someone who works hard and is courteous and a good employee?  Of course not.  You start them at a low pay rate so that you can find out who is a creep and who'll be good for the company.

[Taristin]

Sometimes, minimum wage jobs are all that are available to some people.

You speak like only unskilled people are ever on unemployment. Skilled workers can and have been let go, and they can't afford to take the jobs the gov't tries to offer them, because they will actually pay less than unemployment...

[vyper]

Lib - I think I preferred it when you were an emotional wreck, you have  a better sense of fairness.

Come the **** on - do you honestly believe the people who end up forced into applying for minimum wage jobs are doing it by choice?

[Ford Prefect]

What are you talking about, vyper? Those people at McDonald's and Wal-Mart do what they do because they're dedicated to their fine craft! If they wanted to make enough to live on, they would!

[Liberator]

Originally posted by Raa
Skilled workers can and have been let go, and they can't afford to take the jobs the gov't tries to offer them, because they will actually pay less than unemployment...

But if they're skilled, then they shouldn't stay at minimum wage.

And why should an unskilled employee, be paid a wage similar to someone that has spent the time to become skilled?  By their very nature they aren't worth as much as someone who know what their doing.

Minimum wage is a STARTING POINT, not a TERMINAL WAGE level.