Posted on 09/01/2013 9:13:38 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
A House Democrat who joined striking fast-food workers in Illinois yesterday said the American economy needs doubled wages for the restaurant workers.
“This gets to the heart of our economic problem in this country which is income inequality. And yes, those arches are made of gold for people like CEO Donald Thompson who makes over $13.7 million in his pay package last year. But I met fast food workers today at McDonald’s who have been working there for a decade and still making $8.50 an hour,” Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) said on MSNBC.
“You cannot live on that kind of wage, and they end up turning to the government for support. So we end up subsidizing Donald Thompson and the profits that McDonald’s,” she added.
Schakowsky said the pay of private entities to workers who choose to take a job there is Congress’ business because “this is an entire industry that is paying poverty wages in this country.”
“Thousands and tens of thousands, maybe millions of people who simply can’t make it on those kinds of wages, and I think that forming a union, getting $15 an hour, which makes a modest income of about $31,000 a year, if you get to work full time, is something that is a proper demand,” she continued.
“And actually these workers are acting — are going to the employers, are going to these companies. I’m standing with them because I think we need it for our economy. If they got paid more, we’re going to see millions of jobs created because there are going to be consumers in the marketplace.”
As far as what Congress can do to compel a higher wage, Schakowsky suggested starting at the executive branch.
“The president could with an executive order do something about the low-wage workers, 2 million of them, that are contract workers for the federal government. That would be a good start,” she said.
“That would be, I think, a very good signal that we don’t think those poverty wages that are paid to millions and millions of workers across the country are good for our economy and certainly not good for those families.”
This is America...don’t hold back! Pay everyone $1 Trillion dollars per hour and create 13.65 zillion jobs.
What’s this?
we should email this congressman and see if he’ll push for $300 an hour. That should put us at full employment right?
Ask any of these idiots why they think you could buy a hamburger for 15 cents in 1960. I doubt they’ll be able to tie the increase in wages to the increase in burger prices.
Another thing these idiots don’t understand is if the minimum wage is raised for McDonald’s workers will it not also be raised for mom and pop burger joints? Can you imagine the price of a hamburger at a little locally owned restaurant if the owner had to double everyone’s wages?
Now we have on-line banking (no tellers needed) and self check out at grocery stores (no cashier needed). Robotics are already making advances in surgical techniques.
You and I probably grew up in the same world. Hard work...but it was a few bucks. It was good at the time...but I knew I couldn't stay there forever.
If I were a young person today I would consider a trade very seriously. Can't be outsourced or be done by a robot. And an added benefit...you can get a license without being hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. Fireman/policeman also a good profession.
If we had a different CIC...I would say the military is always a good choice.
You can’t educate this kind of stupid. It’s terminal.
Indeed (sigh)!
90% of Dems would agree with this.
Detroit is sunk. Chicago is sinking. LA is sinking. Our public schools are sinking. WashDC has sunk most of our alliances around the world. WashDC is busy sinking our defense capabilities. Our system of representative governance and our liberties are being sunk out right from under us. WashDC is already far along sinking the American economy and our jobs to the bottom of the sea. What you got against little Guam sinking?
It’s just their turn maybe...
Hmmmn.
Worked in November, 1917 right?
Says the woman who makes over 100 grand for being a dope..
Why not make the minimum wage $100,000 per year. That would really juice things up, eh SHATcow?
Pay them.
Whatever they want.
They’ll be out of business in 6 months.
Glad you mentioned that. I've often wondered for years how long they could get away with that.
Hmmmn. Not on Amazon, nor on Kindle list under that title?
Somebody needs to tell this ditzy loon that working at McDonalds is an entry level job. You’re not supposed to be working there for 10 years.
She makes $174,000 per year.
I was trying to use their mindset in framing the question, then I decide they have no minds. Someone has guided them to attack fast food places specifically.
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