At one time in our nation the minimum wage most likely meant something, but it hasn’t for a long time. Currently it stands just under $6 hr. Using $6 hr. would equal $240 a week or $12,480 a year, about $1,040 a month. For a teenager living at home that’s an awesome wage. Of course, they have school and wouldn’t be earning a full 40 hr paycheck, but for an adult, it’s a joke!

Simply look at the average costs in our nation: rent: $550, utilities: $150 (for someone in a small apt.), laundry: $50 (most small apts. offer washers and dryers, but you have to pay to use them), food: $150 (barely eating!), gas: $150 (that’s a low estimate.), car payment: $250 (low and require in most cases to get to work!), car ins: $75 (monthly), cable $75 (one luxury). And some states like NC charge a car tax just for owning one. What’s the total? $1450! I didn’t factor in paying income tax yet! What’s the net check at $6 hr.? $947 (assuming a 25% tax for SSN, Medicare, state and fed and allowing $8000 pre tax deduction).

So, $947 net a month and $1400.00 in living expenses, that’s a $453 short fall each month. Plus, the above budget doesn’t allow for any personal spending, repairs and replacement costs of clothes, etc. Can you tell me minimum wage isn’t a joke?

Well, $10 hr. must be better right? Take the original expenses of $1400 out of the net of $10 hr. assuming the same tax and pre-tax deductions as above:  $20800 gross or $17600 net a year which is $1467 a month less the $1400 a month in expenses equals $67 surplus or barely enough to exist! Tell me, can a person pay for car repairs, replacement of ware on clothes, etc. on $67 a month? That’s about $2 a day. That’s not including any personal spending either! The rich wonder why Americans don’t save; maybe if they paid their employees better Americans would have the money to save! Could this explain the massive consumer debt? I think so!

A true minimum wage must allow for the necessities of life and adults require more than teenagers merely working for fun money. Thus a possible answer to the problem would be a two-tier minimum wage: one level for teenagers living at home and another for adults. We experience this “injustice,” if you will, in the workplace all the time. Employers pay less to the entry-level employees even if they are doing the same work as a seasoned employee and unions support this philosophy as well: newcomers start at a lower scale and work their way up. In addition, the minimum wage must include a mandatory yearly cost of living increase called a COLA. Congress gets it, way shouldn’t all Americans!

Employers left to themselves will not pay a just and livable wage for the average American worker unless it is a law. Our government is obligated to do what is needed to defend our nation. Part of the nation’s defense is to ensure its workers a just and livable wage.

Nonetheless, $13-$14 hr. is a starting point for a true second tier minimum wage. The first tier could be half of the second: $6.50 - $7 hr. Clearly as show above, $10 hr. is not enough. These tiers may have to be adjusted once factored into the economic system because business that pay less then this now would have to raise their prices to make a profit. One way to off set some of the cost would be for the top-level executives to reduce their already ridiculous wages, which range in the millions! They could range in the hundred thousands instead.

If something is not done soon, America will collapse as Russia did. While America was able to give aid to Russia and other nations too, who will give aid to America?

JUST SAY NO to
DECORATES and REPUBLICANS
VOTE
INDEPENDENT
Dan Galpin for President!
You don't have to vote for me, but vote Independent!
http://www.dangalpinforp … galpin.com

Article Source: http://www.articleset.com