Staggering 78% Of US Workers Live Paycheck To Paycheck

[Lightbringer]

Thoughts?

Would recommend watching the video in its entirety before commenting to get full context.

[video=youtube;mwVyHU0ysho]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwVyHU0ysho&ab_channel=SecularTalk[/video]

 

[Chikombo]

I don't live there so I don't know. I live like that here, but hopefully if I get into a university I will get a better job. That's like almost the only way you can find a job anyway. But I'm happy personally.

It's sad when gaps between people are so high. It doesn't seem fair.

 

[Tauren Chieftain]

This is kinda hard to believe to me. But I don´t live there so I don´t know.

 

[HENI]

What we need is a better lifestyle. France is a good example.

 

[The Great Second Hokage]

What we need is a better lifestyle. France is a good example.

What do you mean better lifestyle? like change our culture? stop buying so much?

 

[HENI]

I don't live there so I don't know. I live like that here, but hopefully if I get into a university I will get a better job. That's like almost the only way you can find a job anyway. But I'm happy personally.

It's sad when gaps between people are so high. It doesn't seem fair.

how old are you and what job would you like

 

[HENI]

What do you mean better lifestyle? like change our culture? stop buying so much?

The French worry more about social life than working. Quite opposite of the Germans.

 

[Ōkami]

I mean that's not shocking, most of the population don't have massive salary and/or are part time so they're forced to live very Spartan.

 

[Sagebee]

Wealth disparity is real many factors because of it but fundamentally system isn't for them most Americans aren't middle class and middle class isn't what it once was the vast majority not earning a lovable wage and struggling to find work.

And when people try to go to school put under crippling debt that the may never pay. And politicians trying to cut social programs that are people desperately in need just to live.

 

[Dreckerplayer]

And?What is this gonna do?The guy is just making statements...

 

[Luminousi]

It comes down to the fact that the minimum wage isn't enough to stay above the poverty line. Then when the minimum wage goes up the base price of goods is raised as well, continuously leaving people in poverty.

 

[Lightbringer]

It comes down to the fact that the minimum wage isn't enough to stay above the poverty line. Then when the minimum wage goes up the base price of goods is raised as well, continuously leaving people in poverty.

That's inaccurate. There are thousands and thousands of factors which dictate inflation. Yes, there have been some rare cases where prices raised because of minimum wage, but in general, it has been the complete opposite. When you give people more purchasing power, then there is more money flowing throughout the economy and more reason for people to buy goods. Seattle raised their minimum wage to $15 in 2015, and after two years, prices for goods haven't soared because of it.

Also the minimum wage has remained stagnant since the 1970s, and not just minimum wages, but all wages as well. If it were to keep up with inflation, then our minimum wage would be over $12. If it were to keep up based on current productivity, it would be over $20.

Also, if you've watched the video, this doesn't just apply to people in minimum wage jobs. It applies to everyone, including full-time positions.

 

[ChicagoJhawk]

Thankfully I haven't had to live like that so its hard for me to really think what a good solution would be to fix it. Obviously it sucks for the 78 percent but I really don't think raising the minimum wage will solve these problems long term

 

[Lightbringer]

Thankfully I haven't had to live like that so its hard for me to really think what a good solution would be to fix it. Obviously it sucks for the 78 percent but I really don't think raising the minimum wage will solve these problems long term

Well simply raising the minimum wage alone won't fix it, but it would be a step in the right direction. And again, this affects everyone of all salary ranges, not just the minimum wage earners.

 

[Edogawa]

That's inaccurate. There are thousands and thousands of factors which dictate inflation. Yes, there have been some rare cases where prices raised because of minimum wage, but in general, it has been the complete opposite. When you give people more purchasing power, then there is more money flowing throughout the economy and more reason for people to buy goods. Seattle raised their minimum wage to $15 in 2015, and after two years, prices for goods haven't soared because of it.

Also the minimum wage has remained stagnant since the 1970s, and not just minimum wages, but all wages as well. If it were to keep up with inflation, then our minimum wage would be over $12. If it were to keep up based on current productivity, it would be over $20.

Also, if you've watched the video, this doesn't just apply to people in minimum wage jobs. It applies to everyone, including full-time positions.

Raising the national or state minimum wage will increase the price of goods, because businesses have to adjust the prices in accordance to the average wage, otherwise they lose revenue. This is a fact. And your example of Seattle doesn't work for the whole country; Seattle's GDP and its population is not the same as the US's GDP and its population. Give it a few years and you'll see the negative effect of Seattle's policy.

Raising the minimum wage has its good side as you suggested, but it also has lots of bad sides too: Unemployment will rise because it becomes more expensive for businesses to hire workers, and at the same pay them more.

I think salaries/wages should be increased in competitive jobs. Someone working in Burger Kings restaurant shouldn't get their wages increased, because they're working a job that anyone can do.

 

[Lightbringer]

Raising the national or state minimum wage will increase the price of goods, because businesses have to adjust the prices in accordance to the average wage, otherwise they lose revenue. This is a fact. And your example of Seattle doesn't work for the whole country; Seattle's GDP and its population is not the same as the US's GDP and its population. Give it a few years and you'll see the negative effect of Seattle's policy.

Raising the minimum wage has its good side as you suggested, but it also has lots of bad sides too: Unemployment will rise because it becomes more expensive for businesses to hire workers, and at the same pay them more.

I think salaries/wages should be increased in competitive jobs. Someone working in Burger Kings restaurant shouldn't get their wages increased, because they're working a job that anyone can do.

Seattle is just one real world example and you're dismissing it and saying that it's not representative of a fact....it's been two years, and nothing has spiked. That is more than enough time to see any economic implications. If you're not using real-world examples as a basis for your argument, then what exactly are you basing it on?

In almost every instance of the minimum wage being increased, there has no been no hike in prices. If there has, it is with business that were already failing to begin with. And like I've said, the wages have been stagnant since the 1970s which means they haven't kept up with inflation. If you're talking about what's fair, well, keeping up with inflation would be fair.

Lastly, I just want to point out that inflation doesn't have one factor, it has thousands. Saying that the minimum wage will be the sole cause of a spike increase is not how economics work.

 

[Ōkami]

Seattle is just one real world example and you're dismissing it and saying that it's not representative of a fact....it's been two years, and nothing has spiked. That is more than enough time to see any economic implications. If you're not using real-world examples as a basis for your argument, then what exactly are you basing it on?

In almost every instance of the minimum wage being increased, there has no been no hike in prices. If there has, it is with business that were already failing to begin with. And like I've said, the wages have been stagnant since the 1970s which means they haven't kept up with inflation. If you're talking about what's fair, well, keeping up with inflation would be fair.

Lastly, I just want to point out that inflation doesn't have one factor, it has thousands. Saying that the minimum wage will be the sole cause of a spike increase is not how economics work.

As someone who lives close to Seattle and has friends who work there, the pay has increased but they're getting less hours to balance it out.

 

[Lightbringer]

As someone who lives close to Seattle and has friends who work there, the pay has increased but they're getting less hours to balance it out.

People get their hours cut for a wide variety of reasons. How do you or your friends know that for a fact? I'm reluctant to take you just on your word or on your friends. Even if what you say is true, it's just one unfortunate instance. For the majority of Seattle, there has been no negative impact.

 

[Ōkami]

People get their hours cut for a wide variety of reasons. How do you or your friends know that for a fact? I'm reluctant to take you just on your word or on your friends. Even if what you say is true, it's just one unfortunate instance. For the majority of Seattle, there has been no negative impact.

Because as soon as minimum wage was increased, their hours were reduced to compensate. Also, in several cases, their managers just straight up told them it was going to happen if minimum wage was increased.

But one negative affect has happened, in some cases, the hours cut to balance out the wage increase was significant enough to cause some to make less money than before.

 

[JStar King]

It comes down to the fact that the minimum wage isn't enough to stay above the poverty line. Then when the minimum wage goes up the base price of goods is raised as well, continuously leaving people in poverty.

The system is messed up, but it's true.