McDonald's Could Double Wages For Employees

[Ms Tree]

So you admit you're a socialist? That's cool. Interestingly enough though is that no less then Milton Friedman and F.A. Hayek have written relatively extensively on the concept of a minimum income. Friedman was in many ways the de facto architect of the Earned Income Tax Credit enacted into law under Nixon. Hayek argued that in order for a society and it's economy to thrive a minimum income was required.

In some regards yes. I do admit it. Education and health care are things that I think are things we have an obligation to provide to everyone. I have said this for as long as I have been on this board. Not sure why you are surprised or pointing this out now.

I am also not confident in the idea of corporations playing fair. Their job is to pay out the least and earn the most. They have no ones interest but their own at heart. Nothing wrong with that but I'm not putting them in charge.

 

[SparrowHawk]

In some regards yes. I do admit it. Education and health care are things that I think are things we have an obligation to provide to everyone. I have said this for as long as I have been on this board. Not sure why you are surprised or pointing this out now.

I am also not confident in the idea of corporations playing fair. Their job is to pay out the least and earn the most. They have no ones interest but their own at heart. Nothing wrong with that but I'm not putting them in charge.

One of the ways you get Corporations to play fair is the rigid enforcement of Private Property laws, Contract Law and the like. This is why it's so important to have fewer laws and regulations. Make the few laws we need iron clad with precious little wiggle room and when corporations have to start shelling our multi million dollar settlements for unsafe working conditions, pollution, defective products etc. most of the companies will "Find Jesus" and clean up their act.

 

[Ms Tree]

One of the ways you get Corporations to play fair is the rigid enforcement of Private Property laws, Contract Law and the like. This is why it's so important to have fewer laws and regulations. Make the few laws we need iron clad with precious little wiggle room and when corporations have to start shelling our multi million dollar settlements for unsafe working conditions, pollution, defective products etc. most of the companies will "Find Jesus" and clean up their act.

I actually agree with that.

I do not think it deals with the wage part of the equation.

 

[Black Magic]

Been to Europe quite a few times and I do not see $9 burgers. Meals were about the same price as here in the US. Where exactly did you find these burgers? Businesses would not be able to survive if no one was able to afford their food would they? So even if they do charge $9 for a burger people must have the money to buy it.

Seems your argument has some holes in it.

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/expensive-mcdonald-world-article-1.1198124 Lets use Newhamphirebears new fav place to live of Norway as an example. A big mac meal will set you back $23....so that minimum wage of $21 an hour people think is so great doesn't go the distance.

 

[SparrowHawk]

I actually agree with that.

I do not think it deals with the wage part of the equation.

It doesn't but it could. What is wrong with having EVERY employee having a contract spelling out all of the fine points of the job? This why we have a judiciary, to resolve contract disputes not incarcerate citizens for living as they choose. (Drugs, Prostitution etc.) Why shouldn't the citizen be just as protected as the corporation.

 

[Ms Tree]

http://www.nydailyne...ticle-1.1198124 Lets use Newhamphirebears new fav place to live of Norway as an example. A big mac meal will set you back $23....so that minimum wage of $21 an hour people think is so great doesn't go the distance.

Did you even read what you posted? When the currencies are equaled, the cost of the meals is $4 in the us and about $7 in Norway. Changes the math just a little bit but don't worry your self about accuracy.

The fact still remains that they are able to sell enough $7 meals to survive and make a profit so I guess the higher wages do not have such an adverse affect on them now does it?

 

[Ms Tree]

It doesn't but it could. What is wrong with having EVERY employee having a contract spelling out all of the fine points of the job? This why we have a judiciary, to resolve contract disputes not incarcerate citizens for living as they choose. (Drugs, Prostitution etc.) Why shouldn't the citizen be just as protected as the corporation.

I'm not worried about protections I'm worried about supply and demand effects on wages. If there are 1,000 people waiting in to fill a position, the company can afford to take the lowest offer and run. If someone is desperate/willing to do the job for $2/hr because they have no job and need something then what safe guard is there to prevent the corporation from taking advantage of the employee?

 

[Black Magic]

Did you even read what you posted? When the currencies are equaled, the cost of the meals is $4 in the us and about $7 in Norway. Changes the math just a little bit but don't worry your self about accuracy.

The fact still remains that they are able to sell enough $7 meals to survive and make a profit so I guess the higher wages do not have such an adverse affect on them now does it?

No you read the article again, $7 is the price of just the big mac sandwich there NOT the meal. Point being...just because you get paid a higher minimum wage does not mean your standard of living is going to be increased, it just means now all your groceries, gas, utilities, ect. are also going to come at a higher price aswell. If you don't get it then well it's just typical liberal mentality.

 

[Ms Tree]

A meal is a drink, fries and the burger. Are you going to sit here and tell me that the drink and the fries cost more than the burger? I guess that explains a lot about conservatives.

 

[NewHampshire Black Bears]

http://www.nydailyne...ticle-1.1198124 Lets use Newhamphirebears new fav place to live of Norway as an example. A big mac meal will set you back $23....so that minimum wage of $21 an hour people think is so great doesn't go the distance.

Ah, 'Blackie.
Make that 144.08 NOK (Norwegian Krone) PLUS extra for nights and weekends minimum Norwegian wage, which equals " $ 24.19 " per hour to START, off the street to FLIP BURGERS.
Adding in the extras is over $ 25.00. So, lets see. If a person here is making $7.75 minimum, and a good middle class job here is at $ 23.25, THAT is 3 X MORE.
So a 'burger-flipper' in NO. .........is making 25,.........then a middle class guy is making " $ 75 " US a hour .

It all boils down to the same,........EXCEPT the Norwegian is NOT paying 'zippo'...for world class health care, or paying into his Norwegian-style..Social Security !
(And ALL those Gorgeous BLONDES ) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Knotbuyinit]

I'm not worried about protections I'm worried about supply and demand effects on wages. If there are 1,000 people waiting in to fill a position, the company can afford to take the lowest offer and run. If someone is desperate/willing to do the job for $2/hr because they have no job and need something then what safe guard is there to prevent the corporation from taking advantage of the employee?

Umm, minimum wage laws

 

[Ms Tree]

Umm, minimum wage laws

Sparrow does not want min wage laws. That's what started this conversation. He is advocating market based wages if I understand him correctly.

 

[SparrowHawk]

Sparrow does not want min wage laws. That's what started this conversation. He is advocating market based wages if I understand him correctly.

I have been very clear on the idea of a minimum income, NOT a minimum wage and there is a difference. Also don't assume that I'm referring to a complex system of wealth redistribution either because I'm not.

Milton Friedman referred to the concept as a "Negative Tax".which is essentially what the EITC is. It says if you go out and work and do the best you can but still fall short of a modest living the government will make up for some of the shortfall until your situation improves.

In short the minimum wage is not the answer to our economic ills. We have historical evidence that wage and price controls do neither as ultimately the free market renders its verdict whether we like it or not. The best remedy is for the government to get out of the way and do everything in its considerable power to foster economic growth so that there is enough economic activity to keep those at the bottom employed and encouraged to be the best they can be.

Our problems are of our own creation. Post WWII as a nation we truly believed we could solve all of the problems we had and we set about doing so, We were one wealthy assed nation then with a robust economy and a growing middle class, The world was our oyster and by God we were going to solve our problems. I admire the greatest generation for their selfless heroism and can do spirit. They brought it home and tried to apply it in a civilian peacetime setting. The end results we see today are evidence that altruism isn't enough.

 

[eolesen]

The average combo meal at a fast food place is actually closer to $16.

Norway is an example of price/wage spirals... the hourly wage looks good until you start to see the price of everything except groceries...

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Norway&displayCurrency=USD

 

[xUT]

The average combo meal at a fast food place is actually closer to $16.

Norway is an example of price/wage spirals... the hourly wage looks good until you start to see the price of everything except groceries...

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Norway&displayCurrency=USD

But it has electrolytes...