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50 dollar minimum wage

The higher minimum wage would just raise the cost of living and make it a two class system. This would make it to where you have the system of politicians and millionaires versus everyone else. Currently nurses make between 25 and $75 per hour. This would put an annual wage of about $100,000 which is more than teachers law enforcement and most any other worker currently makes without overtime.

https://wgme.com/news/nation-world/california-dem-defends-call-for-50-federal-minimum-wage-just-barely-enough-democrat-senate-race-2024-politics-chipotle-prices-progressive-woke-ted-cruz-economy-diane-feinstein-debate
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Ynotisay · M
Just a little more context. That didn't get picked up. Here's what she said.
"In the Bay Area, I believe it was the United Way that came out with a report that very recently $127,000 for a family of four is just barely enough to get by," Democrat Congresswoman Barbara Lee said when asked to defend her previous support of a $50 minimum wage and explain how it would be "sustainable."

The idea of a $50 minimum wage is over the top. And it certainly couldn't apply across the board. AG would have to be carved out. The other candidates are pushing for 25 and that's reasonable.

But here's what I don't get. When the minimum wage is increased it brings up wages across the board and the economy does better. When it's not, corporations are free to continuing making HUGE profits for themselves.

So the question is, who are people fighting for? Citizens or corporations and the richest? Have we been trained so well to kiss the hand that beats us that we willingly hurt ourselves in the process?

I think the two class system you mentioned is already in place. If interested, this is a great chart that breaks down the percentages of wealth in the U.S. since 1991.

https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/z1/dataviz/dfa/distribute/table/

As an example, in Q3 in '23, the top 0.1 percent held nearly 20 TRILLION dollars.

The bottom 50 percent held 3.64.

And a "trillion" is a FAR cry from "billion" or "million." I don't think most really understand what a trillion means. It's just a word.

Wealth disparity, in my opinion, is THE biggest domestic issue we face as a country. So I need to understand why so many are so committed to fighting for those who hurt them. I'll never understand that. It's the one issue that could bring together the right and left under the same roof. But we don't do it.
dale74 · M
@Ynotisay if we're talking about the hand that beats us what about the federal government who takes 25% or more of everything we make not counting our state which takes between 10 and 20% of everything we make so yes governments do play a major role in this but I would rather work for someone who pays me then have somebody come and just take it out of my check with no accountability I can always choose to leave my job and go work somewhere else
Ynotisay · M
@dale74 So you're not big on things like roads, clean water, the military, cops, firefighters, public school and college teachers, Medicare and on an on, huh?
You want to live in the one country that doesn't tax income, property or apply tariffs to run their country? Got it. So maybe a commune is in your future.
Side note. The U.S. doesn't pay close to the tax levels of the countries that are consistently listed as the 'best." And you must know that dozens of Fortune 100 companies pay almost nothing, or nothing, in tax, right?
I'll guess you're one of the 'real' Americans who harkens back to the good 'ol days when the husband worked and the mom raised the kids. Good times. Do you know that when the middle class exploded after WW2 the very richest were paying around 90 percent in personal income tax? THAT'S what allowed the middle class to form. The rich were still rich but everyone else wasn't scrambling for crumbs.
You've got the wrong enemy buddy. And it's the main reason citizens keep getting screwed. Again, I'll never understand it.
dale74 · M
@Ynotisay if that's all they invested in that might be okay but our government waste a whole lot more money in a lot different ways than taking care of us with infrastructure and if you think that's all that money goes to you're crazy even on the state funding levels our Highway tax money in the state I live in doesn't even go to the highways it goes to build River Rail projects public bus system and bicycle trails
Ynotisay · M
@dale74 So you're also against bike trails and public buses? Because you don't use them they shouldn't exist for others? Well, there you go.
Well, thanks to this administration's $1.2 TRILLION investment in infrastructure I bet the millions who will benefit from the associated jobs will be ok with how tax dollars are spent. They've got more than 40,000 projects already launched. Maybe one of those will reach you personally. A pretty good chance your water has already been addressed. I'm sure you're pro water so there you go. You win.
dale74 · M
@Ynotisay yes I am against charging taxes to one group who received little or no benefits from where the money is spent fuel tax was charged to repair and maintain roads. Not off set bus budget and pay for a trolley system used by less than 1% of the population. Also bike trails with bikes who pay nothing for their trails is wrong charge a tax on bikes maybe 5k per bike...
Ynotisay · M
@dale74 OK. But sorry. I can't relate. I'm an American. I don't think like you. My life is better when the lives of others are better.
dale74 · M
@Ynotisay so basically what you're saying is you're a taker instead of a giver in other words you receive more benefits from the government that you pay into the government I'm also an American
Ynotisay · M
@dale74 You missed on that one bud. I'm the giver. Things don't need to impact me personally. I've never received a freaking financial benefit from the government in my life. My tax dollars go to helping society and I'm good with that. You know, things like poor people being able to see a doctor or eat. I don't need to make everything about me. Like I said, my life is better when the lives of others are better. Maybe I'm just not your brand of American. The one who lives to whine, blame and hate made up enemies. Sorry bud. I'm a man. I'll leave that shit to your kind and just work around you the best I can.