Fight for $15. (Fast food protest)

[samurai8juice]

After taxes, minimum wage is only $6.70.

Spoiler

267.80

The weekly take-home pay for a 40-hour-a-week minimum-wage employee, after Social Security and Medicare taxes. That adds up to $13,926.38 per year, or just over $1,150 per month. The commonly cited minimum wage annual salary for a 40-hour-a-week worker is $15,080 -- before taxes.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/24/minimum-wage-increase-numbers_n_5868848.html

 

[MidFieldMaven]

$1,150 per month is a lot in most states, but in NJ, NYC, and CA, it's only enough to pay rent for a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment (smaller in NYC + more expensive) and eat Ramen every night. No utilities except maybe electric if not included in the rent.

You definitely won't be saving any money at all.

 

[Exorcet]

$1,150 per month is a lot in most states, but in NJ, NYC, and CA, it's only enough to pay rent for a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment (smaller in NYC + more expensive) and eat Ramen every night. No utilities except maybe electric if not included in the rent.

You definitely won't be saving any money at all.

They'd have more living space than me. Easily enough to share with one or two other people, which cuts housing by half or two thirds per person.

 

[MidFieldMaven]

They'd have more living space than me. Easily enough to share with one or two other people, which cuts housing by half or two thirds per person.

You would share a one-bedroom apartment with a stranger? There's barely enough room for one twin mattress, let alone two. Someone will be sleeping in the living room I guess?

 

[nobuffalo]

You would share a one-bedroom apartment with a stranger? There's barely enough room for one twin mattress, let alone two.

I would if I couldn't afford it otherwise. I'd share a one bedroom with 5 other people if I had to, but government regulations might keep people from doing that.

 

[MidFieldMaven]

I love when people say they would do something if they had no other choice. The object is to not have it be an option at all. Nobody should have to room with a stranger to survive. Not in a developed nation, anyway. How primitive. Changes need to be made to prevent things like that.

It's beliefs like this that make my antinatalism obvious. I can't guarantee a good life for my potential children, so I can't procreate in good conscience. Nobody consented to any of this. Perhaps there needs to be a thread about what I'm feeling.

 

[McLaren]

$1,150 per month is a lot in most states, but in NJ, NYC, and CA, it's only enough to pay rent for a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment (smaller in NYC + more expensive) and eat Ramen every night. No utilities except maybe electric if not included in the rent.

You definitely won't be saving any money at all.

You're not supposed to be living off minimum wage to begin with, esp. in cities where the cost of living is higher than everywhere else....

This ignoring the fact that if you only make $1,150 a month & the rent per month is $1,000, the complex is likely to not accept you as a tenant because you're clearly not financially stable to afford it; you're a liability.

 

[nobuffalo]

@SuzukaStar - Umm, you asked.

 

[Northstar]

I love when people say they would do something if they had no other choice. The object is to not have it be an option at all. Nobody should have to room with a stranger to survive. Not in a developed nation, anyway. How primitive. Changes need to be made to prevent things like that.

So I take it you're not a fan of hostels?

Also, it's not like a roommate has to be a complete stranger, you could always share a living space with one of those friend things.

 

[MidFieldMaven]

Not everyone has friends. It's not fair to say that someone who has no friends or only makes $1,150 per month should be denied a decent living space without the hassle of roommates.

 

[Exorcet]

You would share a one-bedroom apartment with a stranger? There's barely enough room for one twin mattress, let alone two. Someone will be sleeping in the living room I guess?

It's either share or pay by yourself. Up to the person in question to decide what they'd rather have. Sleeping in a living room sounds like less of a problem then having no money. And if you're so desperate to live alone, 1000 ft^2 isn't any near uncomfortable, so you could just go smaller.

It doesn't have to be a stranger though. Could be family, friends, or maybe even cowokers.

I love when people say they would do something if they had no other choice. The object is to not have it be an option at all. Nobody should have to room with a stranger to survive. Not in a developed nation, anyway. How primitive. Changes need to be made to prevent things like that.

Developed nations haven't solved all the world's problems. Until there are infinite resources and wealth, we have to deal with less than ideals. Ignoring reality won't get people anywhere.

Not everyone has friends. It's not fair to say that someone who has no friends or only makes $1,150 per month should be denied a decent living space without the hassle of roommates.

It's totally fair. No one is owed a great life.

What's not fair is saying that someone else needs to be forced to make life better for that person.

 

[MidFieldMaven]

Developed nations haven't solved all the world's problems. Until there are infinite resources and wealth, we have to deal with less than ideals. Ignoring reality won't get people anywhere.

 

[Northstar]

Not everyone has friends. It's not fair to say that someone who has no friends or only makes $1,150 per month should be denied a decent living space without the hassle of roommates.

If they insist on living where that isn't feasible than yes, they should be denied that opportunity.

It comes down to a simple saying. Life's not fair, deal with it.

 

[MidFieldMaven]

Life's not fair, deal with it.

It's only unfair because people want it that way.

 

[Jubby]

$1,150 per month is a lot in most states, but in NJ, NYC, and CA, it's only enough to pay rent for a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment (smaller in NYC + more expensive) and eat Ramen every night. No utilities except maybe electric if not included in the rent.

You definitely won't be saving any money at all.

#1, rent something smaller.
#2, But wages for most jobs are higher in those metropolitan areas. Median incomes are higher than the national average, some by more than 25%. If you live in NYC and have a minimum wage job, you might want to get a couple roommates like most that are living like that. If you live in those areas and want to live alone (or in a 1 income family), get a better job... period- they exist...

You would share a one-bedroom apartment with a stranger? There's barely enough room for one twin mattress, let alone two. Someone will be sleeping in the living room I guess?

Yes. I've done it. In exurbs or rural areas, rents are half that with 65-75% of the pay (considering jobs that are even slightly better than minimum wages). You just pay a little more on transportation. If someone is "above" that, then go to a third world country and compare...

I love when people say they would do something if they had no other choice. The object is to not have it be an option at all. Nobody should have to room with a stranger to survive. Not in a developed nation, anyway. How primitive. Changes need to be made to prevent things like that.

Primitive? Don't insult the people who live in less fortunate countries who literally have little to no alternative. We do... ours are: Move or get a better job. At least we have options.

It's beliefs like this that make my antinatalism obvious. I can't guarantee a good life for my potential children, so I can't procreate in good conscience. Nobody consented to any of this. Perhaps there needs to be a thread about what I'm feeling.

Wow. I hope when you decide to have children that you're able to pass down values of self-worth, potential, and ambition. Those are important to children.

 

[Exorcet]

It's only unfair because people want it that way.

Who was it who wanted genetics to favor some people and not others? Or for some land to be rich with resources and other barren?

I can't guarantee a good life for my potential children, so I can't procreate in good conscience.

I wonder if enough people give this thought.

 

[Northstar]

It's only unfair because people want it that way.

No, nobody wanted me to be born with a cleft lip and palet. It's how things ended up though and since I can't really change that fact I might as well deal with it.

Are there people that try making people's life harder? Yes, I've dealt with them all my life. I've also never felt the need to blame others for the crappy hand I was forced to take.

 

[MidFieldMaven]

Who was it who wanted genetics to favor some people and not others? Or for some land to be rich with resources and other barren?

What I meant was that if the 1% wanted to, they could end poverty worldwide. The amount the USA spends on national defense in a month could end world hunger forever.

 

[McLaren]

Not everyone has friends. It's not fair to say that someone who has no friends or only makes $1,150 per month should be denied a decent living space without the hassle of roommates.

It's only unfair because people want it that way.

Your posts just have this sense of entitlement all over them.

If you want those things, work for them. Why do you deserve a wage to provide what someone else has had to work for despite doing minimal work in comparison? Because you stand on your feet all day?

What I meant was that if the 1% wanted to, they could end poverty worldwide. The amount the USA spends on national defense in a month could end world hunger forever.

So if the rich should have to share their wealth to provide for everyone else, what's the point in anyone else doing anything?

Naw, I'm not going to work today. Bill Gates got me covered.

 

[Northstar]

What I meant was that if the 1% wanted to, they could end poverty worldwide. The amount the USA spends on national defense in a month could end world hunger forever.

The problem with both those things isn't the lack of effort from the 1% and government. The biggest obstacle with both those things is the fact that 3rd world countries also tend to have insanely corrupt governments who immediately seize whatever aid comes their way and use it to gain even more power over those that they rule over.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

The entitlement in this thread is shocking. SHOCKING.

 

[MidFieldMaven]

If you are well off, you feel far more entitled than idealistic poor people. Well-off people tend to overplay how hard they worked to get to where they are. A lot of it has to do with where you were raised, how wealthy your parents were, how lucky you were to find the jobs you had, etc.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

If you are well off, you feel far more entitled than idealistic poor people. Well-off people tend to overplay how hard they worked to get to where they are. A lot of it has to do with where you were raised, how wealthy your parents were, how lucky you were to find the jobs you had, etc.

Are you well off? Have you worked very hard?

 

[MidFieldMaven]

Are you well off? Have you worked very hard?

I identify and empathize more with the unfortunate than the fortunate. I have a college degree in Business and have had no luck finding stable work. I only manage to get hired for seasonal jobs. The last job I had ended in January, working for UPS as a full-time driver for $18.75/hr. I had an interview last month with the USPS and they decided not to hire me for some reason.

 

[Northstar]

If you are well off, you feel far more entitled than idealistic poor people. Well-off people tend to overplay how hard they worked to get to where they are. A lot of it has to do with where you were raised, how wealthy your parents were, how lucky you were to find the jobs you had, etc.

I've been homeless, walked miles to work regardless the weather (and we have quite the range in MN) and only managed to get my own car back in March, a whole 10 years after I could legally drive.

If I qualify as well off I would hate to see what poor looks like.

I also think there is a major misconception about how rich people actually get rich in the first place. Sure plenty are born into money, but most were not and have worked their way up the ladder. I also don't see too many CEO's with hair that isn't gray.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I identify and empathize more with the unfortunate than the fortunate. I have a college degree in Business and have had no luck finding stable work. I only manage to get hired for seasonal jobs. The last job I had ended in January, working for UPS as a full-time driver for $18.75/hr. I had an interview last month with the USPS and they decided not to hire me for some reason.

Keep at it. If it's a Bacehlor's in business there should be work. If it's an associates, then I'm not sure what to tell you.

 

[McLaren]

If you are well off, you feel far more entitled than idealistic poor people. Well-off people tend to overplay how hard they worked to get to where they are. A lot of it has to do with where you were raised, how wealthy your parents were, how lucky you were to find the jobs you had, etc.

Oh, you mean in comparison to some burger flipper who believes he should have his pay doubled to afford what others have, but with no increase in actual productivity?

It doesn't matter how much people overplay how they made their wealth, chances are the majority of them never asked for a large increase in pay & got it without any taking on any other responsibilities to justify that raise.

 

[MidFieldMaven]

Oh, you mean in comparison to some burger flipper who believes he should have his pay doubled to afford what others have, but with no increase in actual productivity?

This wouldn't even be a question if minimum wage had been tied to the CPI decades ago.

 

[Northstar]

This wouldn't even be a question if minimum wage had been tied to the CPI decades ago.

Or if it never existed to begin with...

 

[McLaren]

This wouldn't even be a question if minimum wage had been tied to the CPI decades ago.

Doesn't answer how the wealthy are more entitled than the poor. Actually, you don't seem to answer anything in this thread.