USA! USA!

[octoberlib]

We have one of the lowest minimum wages of any rich country. How's that for exceptionalism?









http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/12/minimum-wage-america-pretty-damn-low

[liberal N proud]

1. Pretty damn low!

[underpants]

2. Take THAT Estonia!!

[octoberlib]

3. Lol! nt

[progressoid]

6. Losers!

[B Calm]

4. We can't raise the minimum wage, employers will close down

and go overseas.

Oh, never mind, they do it anyways.

[pampango]

5. In some countries, high wages and strong unions make for a strong middle class. Companies want to

stay in countries like that. We have not figured that out.

[B Calm]

9. Maybe those countries have FAIR trade agreements that protect

their jobs? or maybe they have tariffs that would make it silly for a company to close down the factory in seek of cheaper labor in other countries?

[pampango]

10. The countries that come to mind are Canada, Germany, Australia, etc. They have the same kind

of trade agreements and low tariffs that the US has.

[B Calm]

11. I know of corporations in Canada who are no strangers to outsourcing jobs.

Not sure about Australia and Germany, but Google might enlighten you.

[pampango]

12. Nonetheless, they have stronger middle classes and more equitable societies which is the goal.

There are no current examples of countries that have strong middle classes and fair societies that do not trade much more than the US does.

[B Calm]

13. With time then they'll be just like the USA.

[stevenleser]

7. Doesn't include Germany which will be implementing an $11/hr minimum wage soon

http://money.cnn.com/2013/11/27/news/economy/germany-coalition-economy/

Edited to add: Minimum wage will be 8.5 euros which is roughly 11 dollars.

[octoberlib]

8. Thanks for the info! I noticed the Scandinavian countries are missing too. nt

[bigwillq]

14. We should be ashamed as a nation.

This country just keeps getting worse. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. 'Merica!