Tiered minimum wage?

That's pretty much why outsourcing is so popular. The governement is hands off on the international market (relativley speaking), and that kind of min wage is unregulated.

Is it your position that the United States government should be able to dictate wages in, say ... Indonesia?

I'm sensing a strong conservative vibe to your posts (which I have no problem with), and would like to ask you what ultimatley is the goal of an economy? Are you an advocate for the trickle down theory?

I consider myself to be more libertarian. I'm a capitalist, which means that I believe the free market should determine wages and prices. When there are less taxes levied against businesses and the rich -- that extra money gets saved, invested, or spent -- meaning there's more money for banks to loan > loans that go to financing homes, cars, more businesses > which leads to higher employment (more people making and selling more cars and homes) which makes the economy strong. So yes, that's basically the "trickle down theory".

Are you trying to have psuedo slaves making a buck fifty and hour struggling to raise kids, only to have the cycle repeat itself? What do you think will happen to crime in the cities when the governent is "hands off" the buisness aspect of the economy? There are so many variables to be considered.

They're not slaves. They can leave their employer any time, and strive to do better, increase their job training, education and skills, which enables them to make more money. And the fault lies with them for having kids they cannot afford. Like I said in an earlier post, those who can't make more than 5 bucks an hour should not be having kids.

We need to work on increasing resources for social programs intended to provide the pathways for those who have the desire to get out of poverty throught hard work. Will there be poor people? of course... but there isn't enough being done at the moment.

What sort of social programs? Charity groups like the Salvation Army makes billions and billions a year just on the donations of private citizens -- without coersion from government. How much should we give them? What would happen if we all decided to give them a one time payout of $50,000?

You can't agree that the statis quo is acceptable... there needs to be alot more done socially both here, and over-seas. I refuse to accept the abuse of the less fortunate at the cost of a bunch of rich guys. That's garbage

Like I told dmek, if you don't like how the "less fortunate" are getting along, you can stroke them a check. Just don't force me to do it through the government.

Money should be distributed equally?

Let me ask you this: Should a landscaper who cuts grass make as much as a brain surgeon?
that is definitely not my point. i mean when a company has profit, the money should be more equally divided, not the C.E.O and the board members raking in millions, while the working force makes 40.000 or so a year. the imbalance between the officers and workers is greater here in the U.S than in any other country. yes, i do think they deserve the bigger chunk of the profits. but to tell me that they are that much more important to the company, then i am, is absurd.

job training, and schooling are a great equalizer. but what if your in your thirties, with a family to feed, then what? and with so many company's going belly up, many of the workforce didn't plan on looking for a job at this stage of their lives. beems, i can tell by your posts that financially you are doing just fine. thats great for you, but i tend to look at the bigger picture. and that means if i can help out in any way, just call me and ill be there

i went for a 2 year period that i worked 2 jobs. not because i wanted to. but i have seen both sides of the issue. and i tend not to forget. the easy way is to turn your back, and second guess why people are in the situations that they are in. not all of them made the bed that they are currently laying in. i have never recieved anyones help, nor have i asked. but everyone is not as motivated as i. for the willing, this is the least they can do

that is definitely not my point. i mean when a company has profit, the money should be more equally divided, not the C.E.O and the board members raking in millions, while the working force makes 40.000 or so a year. the imbalance between the officers and workers is greater here in the U.S than in any other country. yes, i do think they deserve the bigger chunk of the profits. but to tell me that they are that much more important to the company, then i am, is absurd.

All right, let me put it a different way -- should the parking lot attendant at Fed Ex Field make as much as Santana Moss? Should their pay be more equal?

It is no different from the CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation and the auto worker -- one is infinitely more valuable than the other, and one can be easily replaced by another. Most people can weld two sheets of metal together. Not many can plan, tactically manage profits, organize budgets, hire effectively, and provide leadership in economically difficult times.

By the way dmek, you probably make more than me.

i went for a 2 year period that i worked 2 jobs. not because i wanted to. but i have seen both sides of the issue. and i tend not to forget. the easy way is to turn your back, and second guess why people are in the situations that they are in. not all of them made the bed that they are currently laying in. i have never recieved anyones help, nor have i asked. but everyone is not as motivated as i. for the willing, this is the least they can doYou just made the argument against your self. I'm sure most here are willing to help others out who are willing to help themself. In your own statement "but not everyone is as motivated as I" so we should pay someone not willing to make an effort as well as others working to get ahead? You also said you worked two jobs. This is an option for all of us if we want to better our lives. My grandmother work as a volunter for a group which tried to help families get out of poverty. She finally quit saying that ony abou 2 out of 10 people wanted to work their way out of poverty. The other 8 out of 10 where looking for hand outs and not willing to help themself. I'm sure those numbers vary but believe that anyone willing to work hard can make it in America. It really depressed her to quit but after wanting to help she felt she was being used.

I just wrote a friggin book for a response...

and it all got deleted some-how...

there will be a response coming later today, but im really frustrated right now.

man, this could almost get it's own "f" thread....

I've enjoyed reading everyones thoughts on the matter and it seems that everyone has a little different opinion on the subject. So lets kepp this non politicial so we can see where it goes.

I've enjoyed reading everyones thoughts on the matter and it seems that everyone has a little different opinion on the subject. So lets kepp this non politicial so we can see where it goes.

It's hard to debate this issue without getting political, but I do think it has been a very civil discussion so far.

It's hard to debate this issue without getting political, but I do think it has been a very civil discussion so far.
Its been pretty good. Well, right up till the piont where you kicked me in the balls, but I can live with that.:)