Background INFO: So, this all happened within roughly a timeframe of ~4hours ago to ~30minutes ago.

 

I live in a part of Texas that for years has been fairly empty. We have a college city (3 colleges) next to us, a highway within 15minutes that goes straight to Dallas, and one of the nicest areas in Texas imo just about 10minutes down the road. However, our area had been nothing but 3 neighborhoods of maybe 2000 people and ranches. Hell, we just got a McDonalds a few months ago.

 

Well, the area has boomed up in the past year. Wal-Mart, Starbucks, McDonalds, 3 Subways, they're building a movie theatre, a Target, a Kroger, and two apartment complexes. All within a 5minute drive. They're also building a high school out here.

 

Now, for the funny story I'd like to share.

 

​Over where they're building the Kroger, our town has maybe two ISPs. Suddenlink (which the majority have) and Verizon, which just came in a little bit ago. Suddenlink had a fiber optic cable they needed to move from where it was currently located to a place closer to the street, which they told the contractors they'd be able to do in 3 weeks. The contractors don't have 3 weeks to wait so they sliced the wire, cutting everyone's internet off for about 3-4hours, and forced Suddenlink to go over there. This is all second hand information, but I was pissed about the internet til I learned this was why. I honestly just started cracking up and don't know how to describe that.

 

Just thought I'd share.

 

TL;DR - Contractors sliced ISP Fiber Optic Cable because the company wouldn't come out.

What can I say...those contractors are very resourceful persons and know how to deal with problems . Be grateful that it took only 3-4 hours. In here where I live I would probably be waiting for 2 days .

oops, didn't mean to post in this thread.

Edited May 7, 201610 yr by Sister Midnight

Just wait until your McDonalds employees start demanding $15/hour minimum wage.

Look what happens when you get a McDonalds, the whole neighborhood goes to hell in a hand basket and you lose your internet!

Least I can enjoy a big mac while the town riots

 

Just wait until your McDonalds employees start demanding $15/hour minimum wage.

Maybe they should work on getting my order correct the first time before they start jumping the gun on that.

Just wait until your McDonalds employees start demanding $15/hour minimum wage.

I wouldn't call it minimum, i'd call it "Living Wage"

you just stepped on a landmine >_>

 

Just wait until your McDonalds employees start demanding $15/hour minimum wage.

I wouldn't call it minimum, i'd call it "Living Wage"

 

Of course... that was always my goal in life... land a luscious position bagging fries, and raise my kids to do the same.

 

 

Just wait until your McDonalds employees start demanding $15/hour minimum wage.

I wouldn't call it minimum, i'd call it "Living Wage"

 

Of course... that was always my goal in life... land a luscious position bagging fries, and raise my kids to do the same.

 

If you work full time, anywhere, you should be able to have enough money to live. A mcdonalds worker, working ever week for a year only makes 15080 before taxes, and around 11k after taxes. Paying for car insurance, medical, rent, electricity, gas, food, it's barely enough to live. 

 

 

If you work full time, anywhere, you should be able to have enough money to live.

You could come up with a pretty good bumper sticker for Bernie in that... but the problem is finding anything in the Constitution that grants the Federal Government the power to regulate wages. It's really a crazy idea if you think about it. It costs more to live in San Francisco, California than it does to live in Deadwood, South Dakota... and your one size fits all theory will kill millions of jobs all over the country. Is there some law somewhere that all jobs have to support a family? So, no one can do anything, for anyone, for just pocket scratch and play money?

 

If there is to be such a thing as a minimum wage... the decision to have one, and what it would be, should be granted to local Governments. First, because it's more efficient, and second to take this issue out of the hands of opportunist candidates that keep using the issue to divide the people and rev up their base.

 

What I don't want to see is whining McDonalds workers wanting to Bernie down my city. Good parenting would work wonders.

Minimum wage is far below cost of living here. I know more than a few people who have to work 60 hours a week just to live in a crappy apartment with at least 1 roommate. At one point I needed 5 roommates and worked 40 hours a week. Making 50% over minimum for my state and I was barely getting by, let alone have savings. Now I do not believe that people should get paid $15 to drop some fries and nuggets in a paper bag, but they certainly deserve better than working hard and being in poverty in America. 

 

 

Now I do not believe that people should get paid $15 to drop some fries and nuggets in a paper bag, but they certainly deserve better than working hard and being in poverty in America. 

Then start dropping hard drives into computers, drop engines into cars, drop pipe into the ground... I drop mail in the post office and make more than that. These jobs are not created to care for families... they are created to train kids for life. No one deserves it until they earn it. 

 

Now I do not believe that people should get paid $15 to drop some fries and nuggets in a paper bag, but they certainly deserve better than working hard and being in poverty in America. 

Then start dropping hard drives into computers, drop engines into cars, drop pipe into the ground... I drop mail in the post office and make more than that. These jobs are not created to care for families... they are created to train kids for life. No one deserves it until they earn it. 

 

 

Those jobs are all limited. Imagine that every person doing the fast food jobs now got those jobs. Employers would pay less because there are more people, and suddenly even more people are out of luck. Plus with the advancement of technology would cause a lot of those jobs will be eaten up in my lifetime by robots.

 

 

Those jobs are all limited. Imagine that every person doing the fast food jobs now got those jobs. Employers would pay less because there are more people, and suddenly even more people are out of luck. Plus with the advancement of technology a lot of those jobs will be eaten up in my lifetime by robots.

This is the same story throughout the history of the Earth. It's not fast food's fault that those jobs are limited. Those jobs are limited because Government intrusion into business has forced them out of the country where they can operate without Government intrusion.

 

I have always been in the position to actually hire people for many years... but I will never hire anyone as long as I will be held responsible for their entire life. When I can't handle it anymore, I'll turn to my family. So who's fault is it that those jobs are limited?

 

Those jobs are all limited. Imagine that every person doing the fast food jobs now got those jobs. Employers would pay less because there are more people, and suddenly even more people are out of luck. Plus with the advancement of technology a lot of those jobs will be eaten up in my lifetime by robots.

This is the same story throughout the history of the Earth. It's not fast food's fault that those jobs are limited. Those jobs are limited because Government intrusion into business has forced them out of the country where they can operate without Government intrusion.

 

I have always been in the position to actually hire people for many years... but I will never hire anyone as long as I will be held responsible for their entire life. When I can't handle it anymore, I'll turn to my family. So who's fault is it that those jobs are limited?

 

 

 

They are limited because of greed. Technically we aren't that far from machines doing most our work for us. Hell I would say that you are part of the problem, you could hire more but don't because you are worried about money. A lot of employers are like that and I don't blame them, I have to run the bare minimum at my job or else we wont make a profit. Now if the government didn't intervene that wouldn't solve the issue either since we would see selfishness from the businesses, just like what happened in the past.

 

Also in the past we had more middle class jobs, now they are extremely limited and the middle class in America is shrinking; while the poverty level increases. Then you have to consider that the average age for a minimum wage worker now is 35 years old. They used to be jobs to get to a good job, which again aren't there anymore because of corporate greed.

The relatively poor guys in America are about as rich as our well to do guys because of difference in currencies

Business exists to make money... business does not exist to employ people. No one understands this until they own a business. The only reason to employ people is to make money. If they can't make money, they won't do it. So the jobs become limited.

The relatively poor guys in America are about as rich as our well to do guys because of difference in currencies

 

The cost of living here is higher. For example I could go to Mumbai and buy a house straight out for less than 12 months rent here. It costs me $4.8k a month here to live at the same standard that $1.8k a month in Mumbai.

Business exists to make money... business does not exist to employ people. No one understands this until they own a business. The only reason to employ people is to make money. If they can't make money, they won't do it. So the jobs become limited.

 

And that is the problem. We put people into space, explored nearly every corner of the Earth, and have machines that can do almost anything. Why cant everyone in the US have a good education? Never have to be hungry? Always be healthy? 

Also, without greed, no one would do anything. I see greed everywhere and from everyone... and the most greedy are the very people that complain they can't make enough. I live in Las Vegas where greed has built an entire city designed to make greedy money off of greedy people. I go to a casino a couple times a week because I bowl on leagues. A guy walks in and sticks a $100 bill in a game and hits a $400 payout. That's not enough for him because he's greedy, and wants more. So he keeps playing until loses the $400 back and continues to lose the $100 he put in. Then he goes out and grabs a sign demanding $15 an hour because he just can't make any money. Greed is everywhere.

Also, without greed, no one would do anything. I see greed everywhere and from everyone... and the most greedy are the very people that complain they can't make enough. I live in Las Vegas where greed has built an entire city designed to make greedy money off of greedy people. I go to a casino a couple times a week because I bowl on leagues. A guy walks in and sticks a $100 bill in a game and hits a $400 payout. That's not enough for him because he's greedy, and wants more. So he keeps playing until loses the $400 back and continues to lose the $100 he put in. Then he goes out and grabs a sign demanding $15 an hour because he just can't make any money. Greed is everywhere.

 

People do things without being motivated by greed all the time, and I am not suggesting that it goes away. Greed is good, just not at the expense of others. For instance gambling as you pointed out isn't a bad thing if done for entertainment. Ideally everyone in the USA would get the basic human needs and would work for fulfillment, and luxury items. Unfortunately we are far from being able to provide for everyone here, not because we cant but because of people who are mega-greedy. My question is cant we have our cake and eat it too? 

 

I wouldn't call it minimum, i'd call it "Living Wage"

I'd call it layoffs or extreme inflation. 

 

I don't see what is so difficult for people to understand about this. There is a cause and effect to these things. If people expect fast food restaurants to raise their minimum wage to $15/hour, one of two things will occur:

1) Layoffs

2) Extreme inflation

 

People will either lose their jobs and be making nothing or your hamburger will cost $56. There is no third option.

 

The people behind the $15 minimum wage are not trying to earn a living wage. They are asking for it to be given to them. This is a fundamental problem with our society. You are not entitled to something just because you think you deserve it. You have to work for something if you want it.

 

I worked in a fast food restaurant during my senior year in high school and then off and on throughout college when I was home for breaks/vacations and made $7.50/hour. I even went back to the restaurant after graduating college and managed the store for almost a year and only made $11/hour. I never expected to make a living working there, nor did I want to. I was only there to make some money until I found a career that actually required something of me.

 

If you want something in life you have to work for it. If you don't want to work for it then you aren't going to get it and you need to adjust the way that you live accordingly. I consider myself to be in the middle class and I've worked to get to where I am. I don't expect to live like I'm in the upper class. I don't spend money on stupid non-essential things on a regular basis. Now that doesn't mean that I don't splurge from time-to-time but I am generally protective of what I have earned. If you want a better life, make a better life for yourself. Get an education. Learn a trade. Develop valuable skills. Just stop pretending that you deserve something and should demand it from the government just because.

 

 

I wouldn't call it minimum, i'd call it "Living Wage"

I'd call it layoffs or extreme inflation. 

 

I don't see what is so difficult for people to understand about this. There is a cause and effect to these things. If people expect fast food restaurants to raise their minimum wage to $15/hour, one of two things will occur:

1) Layoffs

2) Extreme inflation

 

People will either lose their jobs and be making nothing or your hamburger will cost $56. There is no third option.

 

The people behind the $15 minimum wage are not trying to earn a living wage. They are asking for it to be given to them. This is a fundamental problem with our society. You are not entitled to something just because you think you deserve it. You have to work for something if you want it.

 

I worked in a fast food restaurant during my senior year in high school and then off and on throughout college when I was home for breaks/vacations and made $7.50/hour. I even went back to the restaurant after graduating college and managed the store for almost a year and only made $11/hour. I never expected to make a living working there, nor did I want to. I was only there to make some money until I found a career that actually required something of me.

 

If you want something in life you have to work for it. If you don't want to work for it then you aren't going to get it and you need to adjust the way that you live accordingly. I consider myself to be in the middle class and I've worked to get to where I am. I don't expect to live like I'm in the upper class. I don't spend money on stupid non-essential things on a regular basis. Now that doesn't mean that I don't splurge from time-to-time but I am generally protective of what I have earned. If you want a better life, make a better life for yourself. Get an education. Learn a trade. Develop valuable skills. Just stop pretending that you deserve something and should demand it from the government just because.

 

 

Inflation will always be there, infact it has been increasing even without minimum wage's help.

Losing jobs because of raising the minimum wage is a myth.  Hell here's a few more

 

huffingtonpost

The daily Dot

Alternet

Forbes

 

As for working towards a career that is fine, but I know several college graduates that took 2+ years to find a job after graduating. All while paying student loans and working minimum wage and barely affording rent. Plus it is easy to say that when the opportunity is there, many people I know would never be able to go to trade school, let alone a college. 

 

 

Now I do not believe that people should get paid $15 to drop some fries and nuggets in a paper bag, but they certainly deserve better than working hard and being in poverty in America.

Then start dropping hard drives into computers, drop engines into cars, drop pipe into the ground... I drop mail in the post office and make more than that. These jobs are not created to care for families... they are created to train kids for life. No one deserves it until they earn it.

 

 

Those jobs are all limited. Imagine that every person doing the fast food jobs now got those jobs. Employers would pay less because there are more people, and suddenly even more people are out of luck. Plus with the advancement of technology would cause a lot of those jobs will be eaten up in my lifetime by robots.

 

I just read something recently that there are quite a few job openings that can't be filled because of drug testing requirements.

 

Of course, I can't find the news article that this was in, but the gist I got was, there are plenty of jobs available, but nobody to fill them because they can't pass the drug test.

 

 

I just read something recently that there are quite a few job openings that can't be filled because of drug testing requirements.

 

Of course, I can't find the news article that this was in, but the gist I got was, there are plenty of jobs available, but nobody to fill them because they can't pass the drug test.

 

 

I wasn't able to find anything off of a quick google search, if you come across it again i would be interested in seeing it.

The little I'm remembering, it was jobs like construction (similar to what Lys was saying above) and "drivers" (that's the term I remember them using, if it was local delivery drivers or over the road truckers, I can't tell you).

 

I'll take another look, see what I can find again. I can't remember if I saw it on Google news or my phone.

 

Edit: Changed search terms up a little bit, and it was the first story.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/18/business/hiring-hurdle-finding-workers-who-can-pass-a-drug-test.html?_r=0

 

Edit 2: Looks like it's local delivery drivers that were being referenced in that story. Pretty sure, though, that over the road guys have to be tested as well.

 

My workplace does a lot of work with the federal government, so there's an initial test and a random testing after that... Not a problem for me, my drug of choice is alcohol, after work.

Edited May 18, 201610 yr by hilowe