General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Hillary vs Bernie re: supporter point of view [View all]LoveIsNow
(356 posts)Essential commodities like that should be kept, if not free, affordable to anyone. However I understand that the more social programs that are free to their recipients, the greater the resentment from those who are paying taxes and not receiving the benefits of these programs. Therefore, I think: (A) it is important that there be some kind of contribution required from all able citizens to receive the benefits of living in our country, be that in the form of copays for government benefits, a basic citizen's tax, or community service, and that (B) we should extend our welfare state beyond just the very poor, so that those in the lower and middle class (outside of the very poor) can see the direct benefit of them paying taxes. (Also, because they aren't doing too hot either). In short everyone should have a give and take relationship with the government.
As for the minimum wage, it is obvious that it is well overdue for a raise. When there are college-educated people who can only get minimum wage jobs, we must make it a true living wage. However, I have several reservations about using the minimum wage as our only tool to improve the lot of workers and stimulate monetary flow:
First, I think that if you increase the minimum wage, you will not do all that much to increase access to healthcare and education, because the price of these commodities will rise as there is more demand, or they will become scarce - universities will become more selective, and it will be harder to see a doctor. We will need to invest in new and existing schools, and we will need to provide incentives for people to fill key shortages in the medical sector.
Secondly, while the minimum wage protects workers from slave wages, it cannot protect them from a host of other abuses - not from fake managerial promotions to avoid paying overtime, not from being intimidated into doing things that aren't part of one's job. It can't make sure you get sick days or that you don't face retaliation for using them. This is why we need to streamline the process for forming a union, so that instead of the government defending workers (a task at which they have proven ineffective), they can defend themselves. Better yet, the government could provide grants or low-interest loans for the founding of worker cooperatives, removing the boss, so that the process for setting wages can be democratic rather than adversarial.
Also, by focusing on building trade unionism and cooperativism in this country rather than on the minimum wage, the wages achieved will be tailored to the location and industry, rather than a one size fits all approach. What is a fair minimum wage in Gallup, New Mexico is far too low in Seattle, but the reverse is true, and in desperately poor Gallup, a $15 minimum wage would be a severe burden for many businesses.
Finally, I think that most minimum wage jobs are "busy work". They are service jobs, hospitality, etc. that do not contribute anything to anyone but the owners. If you work a job like this your whole life, how high will your self esteem be? How long before your day is just: work for the man, stop for food and beer, consume, sleep, repeat? What will your child's career day be like when you have to tell their class that you work at Starbucks? I think our country can't settle for this type of economy. When we have a shortage of general practitioners, teachers, and nurses, and when our whole national infrastructure is wholly inadequate, why waste our human capital on cahshiers and servers? The government needs to step in with investment where the private sector won't, so that these jobs can go back to being temporary or starter jobs, instead of simply settling for a nation of adequately-paid baristas, and declaring okay a situation that is clearly not okay.
In summation, I would say that while a substantial increase in the minimum wage, as well as pegging it to inflation, are a part of the solution, on their own they are merely a patch, not a true solution. Also, in regards to the welfare state, that it cannot replace a robust welfare state either.
Sorry for the long response, but, hey, you asked.