I only watched the first lady give her speech. It was outstanding. Pointed, classy and with a passive aggressive pounce on Trump. I'm no fan of this administration and it's policy for certain, but that was a great address.

I didn't stay tuned in after Bookers fine speech ( I mean that ) so I missed the old socialist - how ever many there was after Booker .

I only watched the first lady give her speech. It was outstanding. Pointed, classy and with a passive aggressive pounce on Trump. I'm no fan of this administration and it's policy for certain, but that was a great address.

 

I liked her tone as well as Cory Booker's tone. Elizabeth Warren did exactly what I predicted she would - be the attack dog.

 

Bernie's was interesting due to the support he had in the arena plus the whole DNC issue.

 

I expect we'll see it go more negative as we proceed.

I didn't stay tuned in after Bookers fine speech ( I mean that ) so I missed the old socialist - how ever many there was after Booker .

 

I think you only missed a person right after Booker followed by Michelle Obama and Bernie (maybe another one in between the last two).

It was a great night of speeches by the Dems ... except for Warren. She never connected with the crowd and seemed to just ramble through her speech.

 

The First Lady was excellent. Bernie is doing what he feels he needs to do to promote his issues. His line that Hillary must be the next President is a good one - very strong. I missed Booker and the Silverman/Franken segments.

 

It will be interesting to see if the Dems can stay positive. They are doing their best to overcome their biggest obstacle - their nominee. I still am amazed at Hillary hiring the fired DNC chair.

 

Bill Clinton is on the speaker list tonight.

I thought Booker's speech was good. I liked that it was positive/optimistic.

 

It appears I'm not alone in disliking Warren's speech. I thought it was a waste. Why have her speak if it was just going to be that?

Sen. Sanders saluted the current president for rescuing the country from the biggest financial mess since the Great Depression.

 

Oh... is that all?

Now I know why all the young people love Grandpa Bernie.....Flip burgers for $15 an Hr., free health care, free tuition........The Money Tree behind the White House must be loaded with cash.

 

There's an ever pervading attitude within our culture that the thankless job of working in a fast food restaurant is somehow not worthy of respectful adequate compensation, and frankly I've never understood this.

 

If these employees are putting in the hours why shouldn't they make an income that allows for them to provide for themselves at least their basic needs in life?

 

We get so used to hearing and believing this myth with buzz phrases like "Do you want fries with that" (that's likely meant to make us all feel more valuable about whatever it is that we do), while these employees who are slaving away for big money giants such as McDonalds are working their butts off, swiftly and repetitively doing stressful mundane service tasks, day after day, under the pressure of a timer that provides for mostly everyone of us a meal because we either don't have the time, or are too lazy to prepare it for ourselves, that some even pay with bucks that they made in their higher paying jobs that have them in many incidences doing much easier and less stressful tasks, but still have an inflated self impression all because of their "title" which has escaped the same devalued ridicule that restaurant workers have been subjected to.

 

Sure, it's understandable that we place higher value on certain positions and especially those that require schooling or specialized training, and in return those positions should be adequately and duly rewarded, but anyone no matter the skill level, and especially when they're working for a company who is making money hand over fist should be compensated for the hours that they put in which would allow them to keep up with the cost of living.

 

Until McDonalds becomes completely robotic, they would have never reached their mega-statis if not for the millions of low skilled burger flippers over the years who have helped them sustain and grow. The cooperate owners could have never done it alone, and it's only fair that the worker bees are adequately compensated accordingly.

 

For many years I held a position that because of the nature of the job it often times could be stressful, non-stop important work on some days of the month, while other days required of me efforts of next to nothing.

 

On the days that I worked my butt off I felt like I had earned every penny, and on the slow days I could barely believe that I was being compensated for kicking back my feet.

 

Different jobs require different things of course, but I would venture to say that some here can identify with this, while those working at McDonalds most certainly cannot. They might have slower hours here and there, but for the most part they must keep moving at all times.

 

It's time that we quit knee-jerkingly devaluing these type of employees and start being thankful that there are those out there willing do this type of work. I'd venture to say that a high percentage of us frequent fast food restaurants in our everyday life for our convenience, and if not for these people putting in the hours providing this service we couldn't so easily within seconds have that Big Mac in our hands to cram in our faces.

 

Sure, restaurant's profit margins will change if they are required to pay their employees more, which will mean they either will have less profits, or they will raise their prices. That will be determined by what we're willing to pay, and if we say no to higher prices, then these company owners will have to settle for smaller mansions, and half the amount of luxury cars in their driveways.

Now I know why all the young people love Grandpa Bernie.....Flip burgers for $15 an Hr., free health care, free tuition........The Money Tree behind the White House must be loaded with cash.

 

The $15 minimum wage will not happen, but if it does, it will be bad for jobs. What about all the jobs now paying say from $12-18 per hour. These people will expect a serious bump in pay as well.

The $15 minimum wage will not happen, but if it does, it will be bad for jobs. What about all the jobs now paying say from $12-18 per hour. These people will expect a serious bump in pay as well.

 

The jump all the way to $15 per hour seems like too much to me. I believe a $12 minimum wage number is reasonable and necessary.

There's an ever pervading attitude within our culture that the thankless job of working in a fast food restaurant is somehow not worthy of respectful adequate compensation, and frankly I've never understood this.

 

If these employees are putting in the hours why shouldn't they make an income that allows for them to provide for themselves at least their basic needs in life?

 

We get so used to hearing and believing this myth with buzz phrases like "Do you want fries with that" (that's likely meant to make us all feel more valuable about whatever it is that we do), while these employees who are slaving away for big money giants such as McDonalds are working their butts off, swiftly and repetitively doing stressful mundane service tasks, day after day, under the pressure of a timer that provides for mostly everyone of us a meal because we either don't have the time, or are too lazy to prepare it for ourselves, that some even pay with bucks that they made in their higher paying jobs that have them in many incidences doing much easier and less stressful tasks, but still have an inflated self impression all because of their "title" which has escaped the same devalued ridicule that restaurant workers have been subjected to.

 

Sure, it's understandable that we place higher value on certain positions and especially those that require schooling or specialized training, and in return those positions should be adequately and duly rewarded, but anyone no matter the skill level, and especially when they're working for a company who is making money hand over fist should be compensated for the hours that they put in which would allow them to keep up with the cost of living.

 

Until McDonalds becomes completely robotic, they would have never reached their mega-statis if not for the millions of low skilled burger flippers over the years who have helped them sustain and grow. The cooperate owners could have never done it alone, and it's only fair that the worker bees are adequately compensated accordingly.

 

For many years I held a position that because of the nature of the job it often times could be stressful, non-stop important work on some days of the month, while other days required of me efforts of next to nothing.

 

On the days that I worked my butt off I felt like I had earned every penny, and on the slow days I could barely believe that I was being compensated for kicking back my feet.

 

Different jobs require different things of course, but I would venture to say that some here can identify with this, while those working at McDonalds most certainly cannot. They might have slower hours here and there, but for the most part they must keep moving at all times.

 

It's time that we quit knee-jerkingly devaluing these type of employees and start being thankful that there are those out there willing do this type of work. I'd venture to say that a high percentage of us frequent fast food restaurants in our everyday life for our convenience, and if not for these people putting in the hours providing this service we couldn't so easily within seconds have that Big Mac in our hands to cram in our faces.

 

Sure, restaurant's profit margins will change if they are required to pay their employees more, which will mean they either will have less profits, or they will raise their prices. That will be determined by what we're willing to pay, and if we say no to higher prices, then these company owners will have to settle for smaller mansions, and half the amount of luxury cars in their driveways.

 

It's a catch-22. People don't want minimum wage raised so they can support their families and people don't want them to get government assistance so they can support their families. :lol2:

 

 

There has to be a middle ground somewhere. I guess.

The party of say or do anything to get elected. :ohbrother:

 

Come on, cap. BOTH parties say or do anything to get elected. That's why they are called politicians.

It's a catch-22. People don't want minimum wage raised so they can support their families and people don't want them to get government assistance so they can support their families. :lol2:

 

 

There has to be a middle ground somewhere. I guess.

 

Minimum wage jobs are NOT meant to be "career" jobs to raise families on.

Minimum wage jobs are NOT meant to be "career" jobs to raise families on.

 

Agreed. That's why I think the $12 minimum wage is more in line with where it should be based on inflation over the years

There's an ever pervading attitude within our culture that the thankless job of working in a fast food restaurant is somehow not worthy of respectful adequate compensation, and frankly I've never understood this.

 

If these employees are putting in the hours why shouldn't they make an income that allows for them to provide for themselves at least their basic needs in life?

 

We get so used to hearing and believing this myth with buzz phrases like "Do you want fries with that" (that's likely meant to make us all feel more valuable about whatever it is that we do), while these employees who are slaving away for big money giants such as McDonalds are working their butts off, swiftly and repetitively doing stressful mundane service tasks, day after day, under the pressure of a timer that provides for mostly everyone of us a meal because we either don't have the time, or are too lazy to prepare it for ourselves, that some even pay with bucks that they made in their higher paying jobs that have them in many incidences doing much easier and less stressful tasks, but still have an inflated self impression all because of their "title" which has escaped the same devalued ridicule that restaurant workers have been subjected to.

 

Sure, it's understandable that we place higher value on certain positions and especially those that require schooling or specialized training, and in return those positions should be adequately and duly rewarded, but anyone no matter the skill level, and especially when they're working for a company who is making money hand over fist should be compensated for the hours that they put in which would allow them to keep up with the cost of living.

 

Until McDonalds becomes completely robotic, they would have never reached their mega-statis if not for the millions of low skilled burger flippers over the years who have helped them sustain and grow. The cooperate owners could have never done it alone, and it's only fair that the worker bees are adequately compensated accordingly.

 

For many years I held a position that because of the nature of the job it often times could be stressful, non-stop important work on some days of the month, while other days required of me efforts of next to nothing.

 

On the days that I worked my butt off I felt like I had earned every penny, and on the slow days I could barely believe that I was being compensated for kicking back my feet.

 

Different jobs require different things of course, but I would venture to say that some here can identify with this, while those working at McDonalds most certainly cannot. They might have slower hours here and there, but for the most part they must keep moving at all times.

 

It's time that we quit knee-jerkingly devaluing these type of employees and start being thankful that there are those out there willing do this type of work. I'd venture to say that a high percentage of us frequent fast food restaurants in our everyday life for our convenience, and if not for these people putting in the hours providing this service we couldn't so easily within seconds have that Big Mac in our hands to cram in our faces.

 

Sure, restaurant's profit margins will change if they are required to pay their employees more, which will mean they either will have less profits, or they will raise their prices. That will be determined by what we're willing to pay, and if we say no to higher prices, then these company owners will have to settle for smaller mansions, and half the amount of luxury cars in their driveways.

 

Respect for one's work and the amount paid for doing it are not the same. Yes, people often look down on fast-food jobs and janitorial, and sanitation work, etc.

 

But this really has little to do with the amount of money paid. Many Used car salesmen make pretty decent wages but that career has traditionally been looked down upon, as well.

 

I think a person should be paid according to the value she or he puts into the company that she or he is working for. Artificially raising the minimum wage raises the cost of providing a good or service and will have unintended consequences.

 

One consequence it is sure to have is to eliminate jobs. Those who are already employed may keep their jobs but over time hiring will slow down and those who work will be made to do more. Maybe those jobs will be eliminated altogether by automated means. Order at a kiosk and an assembly line burger, made the same every time, is made available at the window.

 

ANother consequence is that when you artificially raise the cost of a good or service by artificially increasing the cost of labor, you make it really difficult for an employer to hire a young, inexperienced worker, with little to no skills. The people who are hurt the most are the young and minorities. This will increase the unemployment rate among young African-American teens. It's already very high. It will go even higher under this plan. This will rob them of the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and develop job skills that will enable them to move up in the labor market to a better wage that rewards the skills and work ethic learned on the entry-level jobs.

 

Another certain consequence is that I and many others will buy a lot fewer burgers over a year's time. Again, making fewer workers necessary and eliminating jobs.

 

I know raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour sounds compassionate but it will actually do more harm than good. The result is not compassionate. The owner of the business will be hurt some, but those who are on the bottom of the labor market will be among those who are hurt the most.

 

That's why I'm against raising the minimum wage and most socialist ideas. They sound good but actually have devastating consequences. The way to show people you respect them is to allow them to make their own decisions. This is hard for those who are much smarter than the rest of us to do. But consider that perhaps I know better what is good for me and you know better what is good for you. If a person is willing to accept a job for $7.25 per hour, she should be allowed to do so without interference from the elitist. Let her and the employer come to an agreement about the value she brings to the job. That is how you show you respect her.

 

After she develops a work record, gains skills, learns how to work for someone and with fellow-employees, she can negotiate for a higher wage. If the employer is not willing to pay that higher wage, she may take her skills elsewhere to an employer willing to pay more.

 

This is how freedom works. Each person makes their own free decisions. That is how to show a person respect. Government making decisions for both employer and employee by coercion is disrespectful. I don't know of too many people who actually make the minimum wage. A testament to the fact that we don't need the government to tell us how much to pay someone. It is determined by how much value a person puts into the company. That is why employers don't pay everyone as little as possible--the minimum wage. I'll bet no one on BGP earns minimum wage. That's because you are more valuable to your employer than that and if they tried to pay you a lesser wage you would take your services to another company. A company who would only pasy minimum wage will end up with all the worst employees and this would jepoardize the companies ability to provide its goods or services and therefore jeopardize the existence of the company.

 

Keep the government out of our business. Government does not know best.

 

BTW, I worked in a restaurant as a bus boy and dishwasher and I was a gas station attendant when there were still full service gas stations, checking the oil, changing the oil, washing windshield, etc. Valuable jobs. I respect anyone who does an honest job. I gained experience and skill and went on to something else. I'm glad the job was available to help me learn and to move on.