The most valuable resource on the planet is human labor. It is also the resource which is most in demand. Only right that those with the labor get properly compensated for their work. Simple, right? Not quite. You know how capitalism is. If not, let me just tell you one thing you might not know: It lies all the time & overcomplicates economic principles in order to bamboozle everybody but the small group of individuals who came up off the hard work of a majority (Can anyone define what a derivative is or how it works?). Meanwhile, the marginalized are fighting for the remaining scraps which trickle down from the table. Whatever we end up with after the scrum ain't enough to feed ourselves or our families! The lack of proper funds can turn law-abiding, non-violent, easy-going people into cutthroat individualists, willing to take food out of someone else's mouth in order to survive. Depending on the level of desperation, some will turn to violent means in order to support themselves and their families. Capitalism brings out the worst in people when it comes down to competing for limited resources (jobs in which to put their labor to use, training to develop skills for hire in open market). Competition isn't good if it leaves those who lose with nothing to show for their efforts. It's worse when the same forces who preach the virtues of a competitive society do everything behind closed doors to rig the game in their favor. What do the masses have to show for their hard work?
A living wage is a human right. No ifs, ands or buts about it. Even a high school dropout deserves the chance to develop his skills and experience in order to take care of himself and anyone who is dependent upon his labor. Higher education shouldn't be mandatory in order to make a decent wage (Access to higher education & trade school is another story. If more people were able to afford it, don't you think they would jump at the opportunity?). Those who think so are classist, straight up. The unfair distribution of resources make for the disparity between those dropouts, HS/GED graduates, undergrad students and those with degrees. With these hierarchies in full effect, some people who are near the latter have demonstrated a likelihood of looking down upon those who haven't gotten to their level, and they get their jollies off on feeling like they're special. As long as they can continue to feel special, they will be in favor of income disparity, to justify that hard work pays off & meritocracy exists. Of course some won't admit their biases, because we all like to think we're open-minded & liberal. Yet, when conversations about government assistance & unemployment benefits come up, those biases come out quickly & clearly! Bring up fast food workers demanding $15 an hour, you'll see how some folks respond to their justifiable grievance. Say what you want, but I'm judging those who think that's too much for a Taco Bell employee to make. The minimum wage hasn't been adjusted for inflation for over 40 years. If it were, it would be at $21-$24 an hour. So if you ask me, they're actually being nice asking for ONLY $15.
Oh, and that bullshit argument about a living wage is being a bad idea because it will increase prices, drive up costs, and create less jobs? Pure propaganda. Product/service prices may or may not rise, and if it does, it will barely have a negative effect on the current market. If anything, most people are willing to pay a little more in order for the employee behind the counter to make a living wage. That increase in wages would be directly felt by way of working class & middle class members spending money to meet their basic needs, recreational activities, and make some type of small investments to add interest or create sustainable/residual income. That drives up demand for products/services, which in return, CREATE MORE JOBS. Folks in the upper class tend to spend less & invest more. Tax breaks & bailouts give them more to hoard & invest. How is that helping the economy? All it does is drive those without it to become more ruthless and less ethical in obtaining the benefits & privileges of wealth, without realizing the harder they work, the richer they're making the exploiters. This system is designed to benefit only the small percentage at the top, and we play into it because for the most part, we brought into the belief that this type of economic system is the only one that works. I don't know about y'all, but kids starving, homelessness, and being so broke, you got the last two letters on layaway isn't an ideal way for us to live.
Business owners that are worried about the bottom line need to hear this: If you're not willing to invest in the workers who create profit for your company by giving them a living wage & providing them with benefits (in which you can completely cover or go half on with a 3rd party), you have no business running/owning a company. Your bottom line increases when you make sure the employees are taken care of. Living wages increase productivity, less call-outs, better service, higher morale amongst the workers, more profits & a decreased turnover rate. Workers can't get sick days? Ok, go ahead and put your paying customers at risk of falling ill because your employee had to come into work sick, or risk missing out on money needed, or avoid getting fired. You BARELY paying minimum wage? Watch that register come up short. Inventory as well. Watch closely how they gotta find side hustles to close the gap because your cheap ass is tryna cut costs. Peep the worker who's reminding you to be mindful of the hours they get next week so it doesn't conflict with their 2nd job. Look into their eyes when they come into work. The pain, stress, aggravation is obvious. Some hide it well & do their best to remain optimistic. Much props to them. It takes alot to put on a happy face when you're being underpaid.
*Sidenote: How easy would it be for college students to work while attending school, getting a living wage? That helps when tuition costs as much as a new car.
**Another Sidenote: With a living wage in effect, wouldn't people be more willing to take risks to better themselves, knowing that whatever path they chose to take, money wouldn't be that much of an issue? Imagine people being able to pursue their passions, cultivate their talents & use them to change the world around them....
Some people working at jobs right now where they know they should be getting paid more, but they shook to ask for that raise in fear of getting fired. Fast Food workers are like "Fuck That!" Stepping over that fear like Allen Iverson stepping over Tyronn Lue. The bleakness of their plight gives them no other choice but to come out swinging. They're here for a fight. The ones critical of them are still outside the ring, still figuring out of they should put their gloves on.
Fuck a minimum wage. Create a living wage. And tie that mah'fucka to inflation. While we at it, put a salary cap on wages as well, so CEOs don't take home bonuses/severance packages in the millions while some of their employees gotta choose between groceries & which utility they can go without for now. Everyone who played a part in bringing profits to the company should be able to take home enough to pay their bills, provide for their family & have a something left to utilize as they see fit. Is that an unreasonable request?
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