Rachel McDonnell

Host

Minimum Wage: What's the Deal?

Jul 18, 2014·29 visitors

Connie Ashba

Cohost

Stage· 261 messages

Jul 18, 2014

Oh yes, we are going there! Join me as I tawk with Connie Ashba about the growing concerns and debate on upping the minimum wage and what that means for our country and our economy. Join us this Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. Central / 7:30 pm EST!

Connie Ashba · 1:30 AM

Hola!!

Rachel McDonnell · 1:30 AM

Hello everyone! Hi Connie! :)

Rachel McDonnell · 1:30 AM

Glad you suggested this tawk, should be fun :)

Connie Ashba · 1:30 AM

Good evening!!

Rachel McDonnell · 1:31 AM

hope everyone in the audience is doing well, if you don't know how this works click the thumbs up button for comments to be raised to the top where we can spotlight them :)

Rachel McDonnell · 1:31 AM

How are you doing Connie?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:31 AM

This is Connie's first tawk I believe, so let's make her feel welcome :)

Rachel McDonnell · 1:31 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“hi!”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:31 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“Greetings!”

Connie Ashba · 1:31 AM

Fine Thanks. I'd like to get everyone's opinion and maybe look at other points of view.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:31 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“Welcome, Connie. ”

Connie Ashba · 1:31 AM

Thanks all!

Rachel McDonnell · 1:32 AM

Sounds good where do you want to begin? Maybe a short explanation about why this is an issue?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:32 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“Hey Connie! Welcome to the mad house...sorry,Tawkers :-)”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:32 AM

haha! Lucy we like being mad here tho right?? ;)

Connie Ashba · 1:32 AM

So, let's start out by me stating that I'm against raising minimum to $15/hr.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:32 AM

what is the current minimum wage?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:33 AM

you are going tohave to school me I don't know much lol

Connie Ashba · 1:33 AM

Depends on where you live. It's per state

Rachel McDonnell · 1:33 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“Me too. ”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:33 AM

so in Minnesota, where we are from it is like $5 something or is it $7 now?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:33 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“There is a federal minimum wage though. ”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:33 AM

do you know what the federal minimum is David?

Connie Ashba · 1:33 AM

Minnesota is set raise the MW to about $9/hr

Rachel McDonnell · 1:34 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“I think asking for $15 is a good move from a negotiating standpoint.”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:34 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“we have a minimum wage for different ages”

Connie Ashba · 1:34 AM

Yes, the federal MW, I believe is almost $10/hr, now.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:34 AM

that doesn't sound SO bad, but still not much to live on

Rachel McDonnell · 1:34 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“i think if you are over 21 you get about £8, which is roughly $14”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:35 AM

that is really strange Lucy lol

Rachel McDonnell · 1:35 AM

SO why are you against raising the min. wage to $15/hr Connie?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:35 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“Nope. $7.25, I think. ”

Connie Ashba · 1:35 AM

Well, like every Federal job they tend to make more money than the public sector

Rachel McDonnell · 1:36 AM

I don't think it is really fair the disparity between public and private sector

Rachel McDonnell · 1:36 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“ok for a noob like, explain what a federal job is?”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:36 AM

good question Lucy! I am also a newbie to all this money talk :p

Connie Ashba · 1:36 AM

I'm against raising the min. wage to $15/hr across the board because of the effect it will have on small business

Rachel McDonnell · 1:37 AM

anyone who works for the gov?

Connie Ashba · 1:37 AM

A federal or govt job is generally one subsidized by the govt.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:37 AM

I see that angle, it must be hard for small business owners to compete

Connie Ashba · 1:37 AM

Your taxes pay their wages.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:37 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle

“Hello...just observing...:)”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:37 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“thats not true. here small business have grown. all since minimum wage has come in”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:37 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“How long has the minimum wage been $7.25?”

Connie Ashba · 1:38 AM

It's been raised periodically, probably percentage wise more than my public sector job.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:38 AM

I am not sure Mike, I don't know how often these things are decided, but people sure talk about it all the time!

Connie Ashba · 1:38 AM

How do you think that happened Lucy?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:39 AM

so what about Lucy's rebuttal Connie? That some places show raising min. wage helps small businesses?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:39 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“But that's not what we're talking about when we talk about the federal minimum wage. That's totally different. There is a federal law that says the least you can make in the us since 2009 is 7.25. ”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:39 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“Then states and localities make higher minimum wages. ”

Connie Ashba · 1:39 AM

Where are you from Lucy?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:39 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“yeah but david not everyone sticks to that.”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:39 AM

Lucy is from the U.K.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:39 AM

across the pond

Connie Ashba · 1:39 AM

What's MW there?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:39 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“UK”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:40 AM

ok so Connie are you saying it is just hard for small business owners to employ people?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:40 AM

p.s. I think Lucy said earlier their min. wage is based on age at 21 the MW is $14/hr

Connie Ashba · 1:41 AM

No, not at all. For example, my family has owned a Dairy Queen for almost 30 years. Those jobs were inherently meant to employ teenagers, not adults supporting a family.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:42 AM

but more and more people are forced to take those jobs now

Rachel McDonnell · 1:42 AM

and it is the reality that more and more people supporting families are having to scrape by on MW

Connie Ashba · 1:42 AM

That's the reflection of our poor economy

Rachel McDonnell · 1:42 AM

yes it is, so my argument would be based on that poor economy statement - it isn't our fault that the money is mostly hoarded at the top and people are getting pushed into lower paying jobs, they still need a living wage right?

Connie Ashba · 1:42 AM

Employing teenagers provides more disposable income which helps stimulate the economy

Rachel McDonnell · 1:43 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“The minimum wage used to pertain to student workers, but corporate America has changed the game, by exporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in the past decades.”

Connie Ashba · 1:43 AM

True Rachel, but the burden shouldn't fall on small business.

Connie Ashba · 1:43 AM

Bingo Mike!!

Rachel McDonnell · 1:43 AM

I just feel like us poor folk end up getting the sharp end of the stick most of the time while those that are taking most of the money aren't putting it back so our economy isn't functioning as it should

Rachel McDonnell · 1:44 AM

no it shouldn't, but it shouldn't fall on the poor people either

Connie Ashba · 1:44 AM

That's a true statement Rachel.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:44 AM

I am not disagreeing I think again this is caused by a top-heavy economy

Connie Ashba · 1:44 AM

Well, small business people aren't exactly rich, which is sometimes a perception.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:44 AM

off shore accounts David? lobbying, those are just a few things that come to mind

Rachel McDonnell · 1:45 AM

but I know we are on opposite sides of that debate :)

Rachel McDonnell · 1:45 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“Good evening, everybody! Rachel, thanks for the reminder.....The minimum wage is a topic of great interest to me.”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:45 AM

hi Kathy! thanks for coming! :)

Connie Ashba · 1:45 AM

Trust me, DQ international gets a monetary share of each franchise and they don't necessarily play fair.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:46 AM

I can see that Connie, a lot of people think small business owners can just go out and buy this and that, they are usually really over extended or at the best just balanced enough aren't they?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:46 AM

so they own a DQ that isn't directly tied to the main corp?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:46 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“Does everybody here know that the minimum wage in Australia is $15 - and there have been no disruptions to their economy in raising it to that level?”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:46 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“Even offshore accounts means the money's being invested somewhere. ”

Connie Ashba · 1:46 AM

No Rachel, it's completely franchised own by DQ Int.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:47 AM

true David, I just wish they would invest in our country more

Connie Ashba · 1:47 AM

Kathy, I believe that wages all together are collectively higher in Australia.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:48 AM

they must have a better economy? lol

Connie Ashba · 1:48 AM

As are living wages.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:48 AM

So do you think they should raise the MW at all Connie? Or just not to $15/hr

Rachel McDonnell · 1:48 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“As a Steelworker, I had one philosophy: We want the company to make as much money as possible and then we want to get our fair share of it.”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:49 AM

sounds like it should be Mike, companies and people working together

Connie Ashba · 1:49 AM

I think it should be raised in concert with cost of economy, but a 50% is unrealistic.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:49 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“Mike, the problem is that the companies are NOT passing the money on to the workers. They are greedy.”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:49 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“The same can apply to small business.”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:49 AM

so what would your suggestion be?

Connie Ashba · 1:49 AM

True statement Kathy

Rachel McDonnell · 1:50 AM

btw I think Kathy is talking more about big corps than small business owners

Connie Ashba · 1:50 AM

Perhaps a 2-3% increase annually.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:50 AM

maybe we should just start making certain things more accessible for free like free food gardens, I mean that will say you some dough in itself

Connie Ashba · 1:50 AM

I know that Kathy is taking big bus.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:51 AM

which is what in dollars?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:51 AM

I am bad at %

Rachel McDonnell · 1:51 AM

lol

Rachel McDonnell · 1:51 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“Look at WalMart. Highest revenues in the country, yet the employees at every store are on food stamps, Medicaid, etc., because their wages are so low. It can't go on. The middle class is a critically endangered species.”

Connie Ashba · 1:52 AM

Take $7.25 and multiply it by 2-3%. Also, a raise shouldn't be automatic. You should have to be a decent employee... meaning do your job and don't slack off.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:52 AM

I think you are right Kathy and that is all the more reason for small business owners and workers to help each other out and come to a compromise

Rachel McDonnell · 1:52 AM

I didn't know raises were EVER automatic, I always had to test out

Rachel McDonnell · 1:52 AM

I was in the wrong business apparently lol

Rachel McDonnell · 1:53 AM

another real debate is the living wage, what do we consider "enough" to survive (that is so sad...)

Connie Ashba · 1:53 AM

But, as many have mentioned, businesses like Walmart need to pass on the profits and stop the corp outsourcing so adults can get good paying jobs and teenagers can get jobs that pay in accordance with their experience.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:54 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“oh yeah,buy cheap shit makes you come back for more cheap shit.. and so the circle goes on”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:54 AM

I agree I don't shop at Walmart for so many reasons

Rachel McDonnell · 1:54 AM

THAT is VERY true!

Connie Ashba · 1:54 AM

Raises aren't generally automatic Rachel, unless the govt mandates them.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:54 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“And that's the truth.”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:54 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“Let's be frank here -- as Chris Rock said, minimum wage is a business saying to a worker, "If I could pay you less, I would. But it's against the law."”

Connie Ashba · 1:54 AM

I don't shop at that sh*thole either.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:55 AM

that truly is the crux of the issue and again we are back to big business shorting everyone and everyone is paying, even small business owners

Rachel McDonnell · 1:55 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“Taxpayers subsidize Walmart's low wages.”

Connie Ashba · 1:55 AM

When you talk it out, it appears that way Rachel

Rachel McDonnell · 1:55 AM

I feel like all of our issues are tied back to this same fricking thing

Rachel McDonnell · 1:56 AM

we just want to live and survive and be able to take care of ourselves and our families

Connie Ashba · 1:56 AM

You mean greed Rachel?

Rachel McDonnell · 1:56 AM

what's so wrong with that? :p

Rachel McDonnell · 1:56 AM

YES

Rachel McDonnell · 1:56 AM

greed. money. if I had my way I'd just ditch the whole concept, but society ain't ready for that yet

Rachel McDonnell · 1:56 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“If it's too low, the person would choose not to work. If it's too high,, the business doesn't pay the person.”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:56 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“I don't shop at walmart because I don't want my pic posted on the internet. lol”

Rachel McDonnell · 1:57 AM

lol! Mike!

Rachel McDonnell · 1:57 AM

I feel like Walmart is just one big social experiment gone horribly wrong

Connie Ashba · 1:57 AM

I agree. A small business does not start one intending to become rich. They just intend to provide a way to pay their bills, support their family and provide income for people who benefit from the wages offered.

Connie Ashba · 1:57 AM

LOL Mike

Rachel McDonnell · 1:58 AM

and hopefully be able to do so for their workers, like I feel like if the small business were doing better and if big corp would quit bullying everyone out of their money, then the small business COULD take care its workers the way it probably wants

Rachel McDonnell · 1:58 AM

to but financially they are right now just in survival mode

Connie Ashba · 1:58 AM

I sometimes get the impression that there are many people who think that they should make a good living flipping a burger and that's all they want to do.

Rachel McDonnell · 1:59 AM

there might be people like that, but I still believe that most people need a real reason to get out of bed in the morning, and some can't go to college because of financial issues and others have families, there are a lot of factors interacting

Connie Ashba · 2:00 AM

Supporting that mentality, doesn't really make for a society that chooses or wants to succeed.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:00 AM

David I was just talking about big corps undercutting the workers like you were talking about earlier

Connie Ashba · 2:00 AM

Well, as I was taught as a kid, where there's a will there's a way.

Connie Ashba · 2:00 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“Most people flipping burgers are trying to get a better job somewhere else.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:01 AM

yeah that is true, I guess it depends on what world you want to live in, but the truly poor man, alot of those people don

Connie Ashba · 2:01 AM

I'm not sure about most, but they won't be relying on MW for the rest of their lives.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:01 AM

t have a chance from the start, some make it by blood sweat and tears, but that is another disparity the rich will never go through

Rachel McDonnell · 2:01 AM

it is polar opposites those two experiences

Rachel McDonnell · 2:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“Who can afford college, anymore?”

Connie Ashba · 2:02 AM

Maybe Capitalism has run it's course, but that's a slippery slope that nobody wants to go down.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:02 AM

Mike I was talking to a grad from my Master's program who had filled out 60 apps and still no bites and I joked we should make a t-shirt, "it's all fun and games until you graduate and are stuck in a river of debt"

Rachel McDonnell · 2:02 AM

so I am excited about graduating next spring :p

Connie Ashba · 2:02 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“For me it's a moral issue. People should be able to live decently from what they earn.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:03 AM

I think that is a discussion we should have Connie, but it is a jolt from our norm

Connie Ashba · 2:03 AM

That's called Socialism Kathy.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:03 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“There is a sign at our local Aldis that says they are hiring at about $11.50.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:03 AM

That is probably what we will start seeing Mike, some businesses raising it on their own, which I love!

Rachel McDonnell · 2:04 AM

plus they aren't being forced so they can probably afford it

Connie Ashba · 2:04 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“So how much rent can one afford for $11.50 per hour?”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:04 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“Costco pays $14 an hour on average, I think. And they are highly profitable.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:04 AM

COSTCO's business model is AWESOME

Rachel McDonnell · 2:04 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“And Costco pays benefits, too.”

Connie Ashba · 2:04 AM

How much rent can you afford on $15/hr. I watch House Hunters International and I'll bet the average rent in Aus is about triple than in the US

Rachel McDonnell · 2:05 AM

and promote from within, all important things to help keep the individual worker involved and progressing

Rachel McDonnell · 2:05 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“Plus benefits, except for certain contraceptives.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:05 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“;)”

Connie Ashba · 2:05 AM

Now you're trying to start something David! : )

Rachel McDonnell · 2:05 AM

haha I let him sneak that ONE joke in lol

Rachel McDonnell · 2:05 AM

ok anything else you want to discuss on this topic Connie?

Rachel McDonnell · 2:06 AM

Audience?

Rachel McDonnell · 2:06 AM

Questions?

Rachel McDonnell · 2:06 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“It all depends on where you live. In NW Indiana where I live you can find a place for $700 - 800 a month.”

Connie Ashba · 2:06 AM

Not really. I think it's obvious that Big Business had totally screwed our country.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:07 AM

there is so many differences to consider; it is crazy how different a living wage would be for any part of the country

Rachel McDonnell · 2:07 AM

yeah they did, sorry to be the downer lol

Rachel McDonnell · 2:07 AM

but ya, they got's to go or change their act something I think it will come down to individual businesses paving the way

Connie Ashba · 2:08 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“So if you're earning $11,50 an hour, how can you afford to pay that rent and eat and pay utilities, etc.?”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:08 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“I think that crony capitalism has certainly gone a long way toward screwing up the country.”

Connie Ashba · 2:08 AM

Generally Kathy, you'd have to live with 4 other people making $11.50/hr and split the costs

Rachel McDonnell · 2:08 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“The government helping out Wal-Mart isn't pro-business. It's simply the government picking a winner. That's wrong.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:09 AM

very true and it isn't like Walmart needed that much help... small businesses need us MORE THAN EVER!

Connie Ashba · 2:09 AM

True David. The govt hasn't helped the cause for the middle class either.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:09 AM

shop local, buy local! support small business!

Connie Ashba · 2:09 AM

Agree Rachel!

Rachel McDonnell · 2:10 AM

that is what we can take away from this, when we help small business out we are helping ourselves and others out by being able to raise the MW without hesitation because we would have the money to do so

Rachel McDonnell · 2:10 AM

a lot of big business isn't helping us out, it is hurting us

Rachel McDonnell · 2:10 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“Act Up! Fight AIDS!”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:10 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“Sorry, felt like we were in a production of Rent there for a second.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:10 AM

lol

Rachel McDonnell · 2:10 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“If nafta was so wonderful for everyone, why is there an immigration problem? They shipped many of those jobs to China. Africa will be next.”

Connie Ashba · 2:11 AM

True Rachel. But the vicious circle of needing to save money by buying cheaper doesn't afford many the opportunity to by local or small shops.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:11 AM

outsourcing really did hurt us Mike

Rachel McDonnell · 2:11 AM

that's true, for true quality it is expensive

Rachel McDonnell · 2:11 AM

or more expensive than if you roll through McD's drive thru

Rachel McDonnell · 2:11 AM

btw don't do that

Connie Ashba · 2:12 AM

Ironically we outsource so much work at my job, but someone (many) still have to be employed in the states to fix their mistakes.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:12 AM

I think we need to get out of the business of worker exploitation for sure David and Mike

Rachel McDonnell · 2:12 AM

that is ridiculous

Rachel McDonnell · 2:12 AM

so they end up wasting more money that could go to the worker

Connie Ashba · 2:13 AM

So the company pays them less than minimum wage and then pays my wage to QC and fix their work. I can only think this makes sense due to some govt cut for outsourcing.

Connie Ashba · 2:14 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“But all of those costs get figured into the model, so it's less expensive to have 100 people do a job in India and pay 5 people here to fix the 25% they screw up.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:14 AM

worker exploitation to me means outsourcing when it is not needed, not promoting from within, not providing workers with benefits like health insurance, those are the core values every worker should earn when they work

Connie Ashba · 2:14 AM

That could be David. Sometimes I wonder how that math really works.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:14 AM

that is so messed up because they are still LOSING money, that is the only way to change some of these businesses just point out that this run around is losing them their money

Rachel McDonnell · 2:15 AM

so we also need to think about globalization

Rachel McDonnell · 2:15 AM

oh yeah cuz they pay the others less than MW I got ya

Rachel McDonnell · 2:15 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“Forty years ago, everybody got annual raises, generally around 10% if your performance was good. I believe those days are long gone!”

Connie Ashba · 2:15 AM

The company I work for actually owns the company in India that they outsource to. So I'm sure there are nice tax breaks also.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:16 AM

I believe you are right Kathy

Rachel McDonnell · 2:16 AM

oh yeah I am sure it is

Rachel McDonnell · 2:16 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“Yeah, only people who live near me deserve jobs, right? None of those horrible people in India should be employed.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:16 AM

that's true and again what is happening here is happening the same mostly everywhere in the world

Rachel McDonnell · 2:16 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“Yes, back in the days when there was a middle class and college students could work part-time and still pay their own way through college.”

Connie Ashba · 2:16 AM

I don't even get 1% raises anymore. The norm should be 2-3% for cost of living, but that's not the case these days.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:17 AM

and they can do that because they know people need their jobs, we all need to survive

Rachel McDonnell · 2:17 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“I haven't gotten a raise in 3 years. I can't really bitch about the salary I get at all, but I haven't gotten a raise in forever.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:18 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“Oh, and back then, it was a matter of pride for business owners to support their workers and their families, as if the business was one big happy family.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:18 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“Yeah, the good old days...”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:18 AM

and like I said earlier small businesses could afford to do that with a little more help

Connie Ashba · 2:18 AM

That's the truth Kathy. Good point.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:18 AM

So what have we decided? haha

Rachel McDonnell · 2:19 AM

The good ole days are gone, Walmart sucks, and buy local if and whenever you can

Connie Ashba · 2:19 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“Not too many years ago, a factory somewhere burned down. The owners paid their employees wages as long as they could. After that, they paid their medical insurance. Ain't happening now.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:19 AM

and as for the MW

Rachel McDonnell · 2:19 AM

Connie has some great points from the perspective of the small business owner

Rachel McDonnell · 2:19 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“That's probably about right.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:20 AM

hopefully if we start helping them out we will all win :)

Rachel McDonnell · 2:20 AM

★ Spotlighted from David Kaufman

“Mike: That's up to every person to decide themselves.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:20 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“How much money is enough?”

Connie Ashba · 2:20 AM

I'd go for a tiered MW program. The more money a company makes the more they're required to pay for MW. But we all know that just leads to finding ways to get around that.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:21 AM

that does sound like a good solution, but yes businesses would find ways to get around it, but that goes to a good point I almost forgot to mention

Rachel McDonnell · 2:21 AM

we NEED to regulate business more

Rachel McDonnell · 2:21 AM

especially big business in my opinion

Rachel McDonnell · 2:21 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“Now we're talking! Switch to a resource-based economy where everybody has what they need. I've got cows, you got greens. We trade and everybody eats.”

Connie Ashba · 2:22 AM

But who would pay for our govt officials to be elected?

Rachel McDonnell · 2:22 AM

That is all I want too Kathy true sustainability

Rachel McDonnell · 2:22 AM

haha

Rachel McDonnell · 2:22 AM

great joke to end on

Rachel McDonnell · 2:22 AM

LOL

Rachel McDonnell · 2:22 AM

Welcome to America

Connie Ashba · 2:22 AM

Or not, but I guess that would be another TAWK subject!!

Rachel McDonnell · 2:23 AM

yeah and us for us little people there are things we can do to help us out trade with others give away things you would throw away that is still useful - give it away for free help each other when you can :)

Connie Ashba · 2:23 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kathy Niell

“I live in a socialist country. There's nothing wrong with socialism. Americans are brain-washed from an early age to think it's bad.”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:23 AM

haha yeah I'll do that tawk with you

Rachel McDonnell · 2:23 AM

we can lay out all that b.s.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:23 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“You are right, Kathy.”

Connie Ashba · 2:24 AM

Brainwashed by all that want everyone to believe they all have equal opportunity.

Connie Ashba · 2:24 AM

Yes, that would be a good one Rachel

Rachel McDonnell · 2:24 AM

with money no one is really on equal ground

Rachel McDonnell · 2:24 AM

arg I don't like it :p

Rachel McDonnell · 2:24 AM

yes! let's do that! We will talk about money in politics next tawk!

Rachel McDonnell · 2:25 AM

Hope you enjoyed your first Tawk Connie! Thanks for joining me tonight! :)

Rachel McDonnell · 2:25 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“It ain't as equal as it used to be.”

Connie Ashba · 2:25 AM

I was thinking that and the "immigration crisis"

Rachel McDonnell · 2:25 AM

OMG YES

Rachel McDonnell · 2:25 AM

sounds like a plan

Rachel McDonnell · 2:25 AM

Let's set it up for next week sometime :)

Rachel McDonnell · 2:25 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“Money Tawks!”

Connie Ashba · 2:25 AM

I did!! Thanks for inviting me. It was great to chat with everyone.

Rachel McDonnell · 2:25 AM

That's the title THANKS MIKE :)

Rachel McDonnell · 2:25 AM

Thanks again Connie :)

Connie Ashba · 2:26 AM

; )

Rachel McDonnell · 2:26 AM

and thanks audience! you were lovely as always :)

Rachel McDonnell · 2:26 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“Thank you Connie!”

Rachel McDonnell · 2:26 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mike Dwornik

“And as always, thank you Rachel!!!”

Connie Ashba · 2:26 AM

Good night all! Have a good night!

Rachel McDonnell · 2:26 AM

Night all! :)

Forum · 124

Forum· 124 comments

29 visitors

lisandro miguelJul 15, 2014, 3:14 AM

Hello

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:30 AM★ Spotlighted

hi!

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 1:30 AM★ Spotlighted

Greetings!

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:30 AM

hey Mike!

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:31 AM★ Spotlighted

Welcome, Connie.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:31 AM★ Spotlighted

Hey Connie! Welcome to the mad house...sorry,Tawkers :-)

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 1:32 AM

Tonight you will get the correct point of view, Connie.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:32 AM

damn right

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:32 AM★ Spotlighted

Me too.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:33 AM★ Spotlighted

There is a federal minimum wage though.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:33 AM★ Spotlighted

we have a minimum wage for different ages

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 1:34 AM★ Spotlighted

I think asking for $15 is a good move from a negotiating standpoint.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:34 AM★ Spotlighted

i think if you are over 21 you get about £8, which is roughly $14

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:35 AM★ Spotlighted

Nope. $7.25, I think.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:36 AM★ Spotlighted

ok for a noob like, explain what a federal job is?

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:36 AM

But that's not the minimum wage, that's just what they pay civil servants. That's different.

Jennifer "JD" ArbuckleJul 18, 2014, 1:37 AM★ Spotlighted

Hello...just observing...:)

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:37 AM★ Spotlighted

thats not true. here small business have grown. all since minimum wage has come in

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 1:37 AM★ Spotlighted

How long has the minimum wage been $7.25?

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:37 AM

plus i have read where there are states where small businesses have grown too

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:38 AM★ Spotlighted

But that's not what we're talking about when we talk about the federal minimum wage. That's totally different. There is a federal law that says the least you can make in the us since 2009 is 7.25.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:38 AM★ Spotlighted

Then states and localities make higher minimum wages.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:38 AM★ Spotlighted

yeah but david not everyone sticks to that.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:39 AM

people had more money to spend, they wanted to make more of themselves

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:39 AM★ Spotlighted

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:39 AM

If that we're true, we could simply say that everybody makes a zillion dollars minimum and everybody would be rich.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:40 AM

now thats just stupid

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:40 AM

that argument has been made before,david

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:40 AM

Lucy - if they don't stick to that, they're breaking the law. That's also outside the scope of whether the minimum wage should be raised.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:40 AM

ok so what about those places that dont offer the minimum wage?

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:41 AM

and the service sector?

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:41 AM

thats a big one that dont get min wage

Jennifer "JD" ArbuckleJul 18, 2014, 1:42 AM

GP Connie...good point...

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:42 AM

They have a lower minimum wage because it's supposed to take into account tipping.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:42 AM

But there's no place that is legally exempt from some minimum wage.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:43 AM

"supposed" being the word there - many DONT offer tips,some even ban it

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 1:43 AM★ Spotlighted

The minimum wage used to pertain to student workers, but corporate America has changed the game, by exporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in the past decades.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:43 AM

Also illegal.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 1:44 AM

Now many of the people working these low paying jobs are trying to raise a family.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:44 AM

What do you think they're doing with their money? sticking it in their mattresses?

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 1:44 AM★ Spotlighted

Good evening, everybody! Rachel, thanks for the reminder.....The minimum wage is a topic of great interest to me.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 1:45 AM

Does everybody here know that the minimum wage in Australia is $15 - and there have been no disruptions to their economy in raising it to that level?

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:46 AM★ Spotlighted

Even offshore accounts means the money's being invested somewhere.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:46 AM

here either kathy

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:47 AM

I am aware that has been presented, but it's counterintuitive.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 1:47 AM

David, it's hard to imagine anyone investing anything offshore if they're making. what is it, $7.35 an hour!

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:47 AM

No, I'm talking about the rich people who aren't putting anything back in the economy, supposedly.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:48 AM

hello! DQ part owned by warren buffet...couldnt he up the wages? he can afford it

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 1:48 AM

Raising the minimum wage acts as a stimulus to the economy.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 1:48 AM★ Spotlighted

As a Steelworker, I had one philosophy: We want the company to make as much money as possible and then we want to get our fair share of it.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 1:48 AM

I've even seen talk of raising Social Security benefits by on average $70 a month, as if that would stimulate the economy.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 1:49 AM★ Spotlighted

The same can apply to small business.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 1:49 AM★ Spotlighted

Mike, the problem is that the companies are NOT passing the money on to the workers. They are greedy.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 1:51 AM★ Spotlighted

Look at WalMart. Highest revenues in the country, yet the employees at every store are on food stamps, Medicaid, etc., because their wages are so low. It can't go on. The middle class is a critically endangered species.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:52 AM

i really cant disagree with what Kathy has said.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:52 AM

I'd also argue that because Wal-Marts prices are so low, they improve the purchasing power of many people.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:52 AM

But middle class was never on minimum wage.

Lucy DyerJul 18, 2014, 1:53 AM★ Spotlighted

oh yeah,buy cheap shit makes you come back for more cheap shit.. and so the circle goes on

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:53 AM

Raises aren't automatic. Legal increases in the lowest amount you can be paid is what we're talking about.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 1:54 AM

Fifty years ago, working people could get into the middle class by working hard. And these were blue color workers, not pencil pushers.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:54 AM★ Spotlighted

Let's be frank here -- as Chris Rock said, minimum wage is a business saying to a worker, "If I could pay you less, I would. But it's against the law."

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 1:54 AM★ Spotlighted

Taxpayers subsidize Walmart's low wages.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:54 AM★ Spotlighted

And that's the truth.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:55 AM

Well, let's think about that, also. A wage is set when a person says, "This is how much I'll accept for this work, and the business says, I'll pay you this much for that work."

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:56 AM★ Spotlighted

If it's too low, the person would choose not to work. If it's too high,, the business doesn't pay the person.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 1:56 AM★ Spotlighted

I don't shop at walmart because I don't want my pic posted on the internet. lol

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:57 AM

Now, the factors that are involved are different for each person -- the person who is working probably has less negotiating power. (Which is why unions were invented.)

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:57 AM

But at the end of the day, you decide to work for a certain wage.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 1:57 AM

No unions at walmart!

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:57 AM

The minimum wage says, you aren't allowed to choose to work for a wage below what the law says.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:58 AM

And if you're an employer, you have to decide whether whatever work you're getting from this employee is worth the wage that the law says you have to pay.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 1:59 AM

People choose to shop at WalMart (or, as many people here choose, NOT to shop at WalMart). I don't really understand how they're bullying people out of money.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 1:59 AM★ Spotlighted

Most people flipping burgers are trying to get a better job somewhere else.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:00 AM★ Spotlighted

Who can afford college, anymore?

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 2:02 AM★ Spotlighted

For me it's a moral issue. People should be able to live decently from what they earn.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:02 AM

But if it's mandated by the government, that's not earned.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:03 AM★ Spotlighted

There is a sign at our local Aldis that says they are hiring at about $11.50.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 2:03 AM★ Spotlighted

So how much rent can one afford for $11.50 per hour?

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:03 AM

And Costco pays well above minimum wage.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:03 AM

So does the maligned Hobby Lobby, by the way.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 2:04 AM★ Spotlighted

Costco pays $14 an hour on average, I think. And they are highly profitable.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:04 AM

Hobby Lobby pays about $14 as well.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 2:04 AM★ Spotlighted

And Costco pays benefits, too.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:04 AM★ Spotlighted

Plus benefits, except for certain contraceptives.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:04 AM★ Spotlighted

;)

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:06 AM★ Spotlighted

It all depends on where you live. In NW Indiana where I live you can find a place for $700 - 800 a month.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:06 AM

Not really trying to start something as much as trying to note that you can't simply wave a magic want and make people rich.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:07 AM★ Spotlighted

I think that crony capitalism has certainly gone a long way toward screwing up the country.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 2:07 AM★ Spotlighted

So if you're earning $11,50 an hour, how can you afford to pay that rent and eat and pay utilities, etc.?

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:08 AM★ Spotlighted

The government helping out Wal-Mart isn't pro-business. It's simply the government picking a winner. That's wrong.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:09 AM★ Spotlighted

Act Up! Fight AIDS!

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:09 AM★ Spotlighted

Sorry, felt like we were in a production of Rent there for a second.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:10 AM★ Spotlighted

If nafta was so wonderful for everyone, why is there an immigration problem? They shipped many of those jobs to China. Africa will be next.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:10 AM

Well, that's good for Africa, right?

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:11 AM

But it didn't hurt the people in India who now had jobs.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:12 AM

I guess. But they won't be able to afford what they produce after the big boys get their cut.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:12 AM

That's true, but it makes it cheaper for us to buy stuff.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:12 AM

I think we have a different view of what is worker exploitation.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:13 AM

Some of these corporations remind me of locusts. They exploit one area and then move on.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:13 AM★ Spotlighted

But all of those costs get figured into the model, so it's less expensive to have 100 people do a job in India and pay 5 people here to fix the 25% they screw up.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:14 AM

But with that comes higher prices and less buying power for everybody as well.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:15 AM

They're not losing money. They're still paying less than if they hired 100 people here to do the job and only 5% got screwed up.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 2:15 AM★ Spotlighted

Forty years ago, everybody got annual raises, generally around 10% if your performance was good. I believe those days are long gone!

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:15 AM

Perhaps walmart should house their employees in dormitories like they do in china.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:16 AM★ Spotlighted

Yeah, only people who live near me deserve jobs, right? None of those horrible people in India should be employed.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 2:16 AM★ Spotlighted

Yes, back in the days when there was a middle class and college students could work part-time and still pay their own way through college.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:17 AM★ Spotlighted

I haven't gotten a raise in 3 years. I can't really bitch about the salary I get at all, but I haven't gotten a raise in forever.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 2:17 AM★ Spotlighted

Oh, and back then, it was a matter of pride for business owners to support their workers and their families, as if the business was one big happy family.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:18 AM★ Spotlighted

Yeah, the good old days...

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:18 AM

What is the cost to produce that iphone in comparison to what we pay? Or tennis shoes, clothing, etc....

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:18 AM

Putting my cards on the table, I tend to buy local.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 2:19 AM★ Spotlighted

Not too many years ago, a factory somewhere burned down. The owners paid their employees wages as long as they could. After that, they paid their medical insurance. Ain't happening now.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:19 AM★ Spotlighted

How much money is enough?

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:19 AM★ Spotlighted

That's probably about right.

David KaufmanJul 18, 2014, 2:19 AM★ Spotlighted

Mike: That's up to every person to decide themselves.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 2:21 AM★ Spotlighted

Now we're talking! Switch to a resource-based economy where everybody has what they need. I've got cows, you got greens. We trade and everybody eats.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:22 AM

Creative bookeeping.

Kathy NiellJul 18, 2014, 2:22 AM★ Spotlighted

I live in a socialist country. There's nothing wrong with socialism. Americans are brain-washed from an early age to think it's bad.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:23 AM★ Spotlighted

You are right, Kathy.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:24 AM★ Spotlighted

It ain't as equal as it used to be.

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:25 AM★ Spotlighted

Money Tawks!

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:25 AM★ Spotlighted

Thank you Connie!

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:26 AM★ Spotlighted

And as always, thank you Rachel!!!

Mike DwornikJul 18, 2014, 2:27 AM

See you all next time!