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The real cost of low wages
Seraph.Ramyrez
サーバ: Seraph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1918
By Seraph.Ramyrez 2015-04-21 14:07:30
Just because you didn't feel like working is not an excuse to collect welfare and Social Security benefits.....
I do think that SSI is a bit abused, especially when it comes to children's claims. But again, part of that comes back to what we're talking about: having children you can't afford or -- so much worse -- that you just had to obtain benefits of some sort.
I do think that there are psychological problems that are disabling in nature, but I do also agree that too many people say they can't work because they're depressed/etc...but they appear to have never have actually tried to work in the first place.
Lakshmi.Flavin
サーバ: Lakshmi
Game: FFXI
Posts: 18466
By Lakshmi.Flavin 2015-04-21 14:08:16
So Ramyrez thinks having children is a bad thing now? Every time I see my little boy laugh and enjoy life in a way that only a child can, it gives Ramyrez's view on the world a big middle finger. So what do you do when you see a little boy with broken bones and bruises from being abused or that mini graveyard in that lady's backyard that admitted to strangling 6 of her babies shortly after they were born? Does that support his view?
I'm not saying having kids is a bad thing or that people shouldn't but that your response there is just laughable.
Seraph.Ramyrez
サーバ: Seraph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1918
By Seraph.Ramyrez 2015-04-21 14:08:29
I think people who have kids because society tells them they should is a bad thing. I never heard of that excuse before. Is that real?
Really? You don't think there are girls and women out there over the past 100 years who wanted more from life, but "settled down" and became dutiful mothers and housewives because "that's what they were supposed to do"?
You don't think that still happens? Not just here, but worldwide?
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Ragnarok.Zeig
サーバ: Ragnarok
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1602
By Ragnarok.Zeig 2015-04-21 14:12:04
So Ramyrez thinks having children is a bad thing now? Every time I see my little boy laugh and enjoy life in a way that only a child can, it gives Ramyrez's view on the world a big middle finger.
I don't think having children is a bad thing. I don't think having lots of children is necessarily a bad thing in and of itself.
I think the view that you must have children is a terrible thing.
I think people who have more kids than they can afford is a bad thing.
I think people who have kids because society tells them they should is a bad thing.
I think having too many people for a country that's increasingly losing jobs because of technology is a bad thing, especially in a world where people live longer and longer.
What's wrong with simply having fewer people by way of encouraging people to have fewer children? Maybe tax benefits for not having children. For not making the public pay for schooling and the like?
You're loving your child is a good thing and that he brings you joy is wonderful.
That -- if not you, then others -- seem to think it's the only way to live, or that I'm somehow a lesser person for choosing to not have children... that's the middle finger to a way of life here.
I think something that many of you fail to realize about so many of my "strong feels" is that I didn't just come up with these opinions and feelings and theories on things out of the blue and start trying to push them on people. They're a response to constantly being told everything that I feel so deeply at the core of me is wrong because "god" or "capitalism" or whatever.
Lakshmi.Flavin
サーバ: Lakshmi
Game: FFXI
Posts: 18466
By Lakshmi.Flavin 2015-04-21 14:13:02
I think people who have kids because society tells them they should is a bad thing. I never heard of that excuse before. Is that real? I don't see it as much anymore but yes.
サーバ: Asura
Game: FFXI
Posts: 34187
By Asura.Kingnobody 2015-04-21 14:13:45
Maybe tax benefits for not having children. Fat chance.
For not making the public pay for schooling and the like? Again, fat chance. I pay about $7k in property taxes for several school districts per year alone, and I have no children and in some cases, no homestead in that county! You honestly think that the counties/state will exempt me from paying those taxes because I have no children and really no home in those counties?
I think something that many of you fail to realize about so many of my "strong feels" is that I didn't just come up with these opinions and feelings and theories on things out of the blue and start trying to push them on people. They're a response to constantly being told everything that I feel so deeply at the core of me is wrong because "god" or "capitalism" or whatever. You know how to stop getting people to force their viewpoints and opinions onto you? Stop forcing your viewpoints and opinions on people.
Yeah, I give opinions too, but I don't make them absolute, except in cases where I am able to provide evidence to support my claims. Then if you don't accept my evidence with my viewpoint, and fail to provide or even fail to try to provide evidence on the contrary, then you (not you Ramy, in general) are an idiot.
Seraph.Ramyrez
サーバ: Seraph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1918
By Seraph.Ramyrez 2015-04-21 14:14:02
I think people who have kids because society tells them they should is a bad thing. I never heard of that excuse before. Is that real? I don't see it as much anymore but yes.
It is gradually -- very gradually -- going away.
At least in most of the U.S.
サーバ: Shiva
Game: FFXI
Posts: 20130
By Shiva.Nikolce 2015-04-21 14:14:09
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »There's a reason why our jails are bursting at the seams.
yes it's because of all the gay wedding cake sales.... and the illegal child immigration....and low wages.
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Lakshmi.Flavin
サーバ: Lakshmi
Game: FFXI
Posts: 18466
By Lakshmi.Flavin 2015-04-21 14:15:17
I think people who have kids because society tells them they should is a bad thing. I never heard of that excuse before. Is that real?
Really? You don't think there are girls and women out there over the past 100 years who wanted more from life, but "settled down" and became dutiful mothers and housewives because "that's what they were supposed to do"?
You don't think that still happens? Not just here, but worldwide? It's not just a pressure asserted on women lol.
Seraph.Ramyrez
サーバ: Seraph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1918
By Seraph.Ramyrez 2015-04-21 14:15:23
You know how to stop getting people to force their viewpoints and opinions onto you? Stop forcing your viewpoints and opinions on people.
I suppose that's where the "vicious cycle" portion of things kicks in, because as I said. The majority of my strong viewpoints come from having others try to force theirs on me. -.-;
Seraph.Ramyrez
サーバ: Seraph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1918
By Seraph.Ramyrez 2015-04-21 14:15:42
I think people who have kids because society tells them they should is a bad thing. I never heard of that excuse before. Is that real?
Really? You don't think there are girls and women out there over the past 100 years who wanted more from life, but "settled down" and became dutiful mothers and housewives because "that's what they were supposed to do"?
You don't think that still happens? Not just here, but worldwide? It's not just a pressure asserted on women lol.
Trust me, I'm well aware.
But it's an example, man. Just one example.
サーバ: Asura
Game: FFXI
Posts: 34187
By Asura.Kingnobody 2015-04-21 14:15:45
I think people who have kids because society tells them they should is a bad thing. I never heard of that excuse before. Is that real?
Really? You don't think there are girls and women out there over the past 100 years who wanted more from life, but "settled down" and became dutiful mothers and housewives because "that's what they were supposed to do"?
You don't think that still happens? Not just here, but worldwide? I think people who have kids because society tells them they should is a bad thing. I never heard of that excuse before. Is that real? I don't see it as much anymore but yes. I never heard of it before, but I do deal with a different group of people with a different mindset, so I will take both of your words for it.
サーバ: Asura
Game: FFXI
Posts: 34187
By Asura.Kingnobody 2015-04-21 14:16:50
You know how to stop getting people to force their viewpoints and opinions onto you? Stop forcing your viewpoints and opinions on people.
I suppose that's where the "vicious cycle" portion of things kicks in, because as I said. The majority of my strong viewpoints come from having others try to force theirs on me. -.-; I know. I'm just saying....
Best way to break a cycle is breaking it yourself instead of letting somebody else do it for you.
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Seraph.Ramyrez
サーバ: Seraph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1918
By Seraph.Ramyrez 2015-04-21 14:17:03
I never heard of it before, but I do deal with a different group of people with a different mindset, so I will take both of your words for it.
I can only imagine that in your "circles" it's still heavily frowned upon to not follow that duty, hence you don't hear about it.
Pure speculation, however.
Lakshmi.Flavin
サーバ: Lakshmi
Game: FFXI
Posts: 18466
By Lakshmi.Flavin 2015-04-21 14:19:15
Property taxes seem pretty cheap in Texas.
サーバ: Lakshmi
Game: FFXI
Posts: 10394
By Lakshmi.Sparthosx 2015-04-21 14:19:24
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »There's a reason why our jails are bursting at the seams.
yes it's because of all the gay wedding cake sales.... and the illegal child immigration....and low wages.
Mr. Bachmann, i didn't know it was you!
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Seraph.Ramyrez
サーバ: Seraph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1918
By Seraph.Ramyrez 2015-04-21 14:20:13
Property taxes seem pretty cheap in Texas.
Oh for ***'s sake...
...don't get him started on how great Texas is for the rich again.
Seraph.Ramyrez
サーバ: Seraph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1918
By Seraph.Ramyrez 2015-04-21 14:21:06
You know how to stop getting people to force their viewpoints and opinions onto you? Stop forcing your viewpoints and opinions on people.
I suppose that's where the "vicious cycle" portion of things kicks in, because as I said. The majority of my strong viewpoints come from having others try to force theirs on me. -.-; I know. I'm just saying....
Best way to break a cycle is breaking it yourself instead of letting somebody else do it for you.
Yeah...I'm not real good at letting people try to shove their way of life at me and staying quiet about it.
Lakshmi.Flavin
サーバ: Lakshmi
Game: FFXI
Posts: 18466
By Lakshmi.Flavin 2015-04-21 14:21:10
Property taxes seem pretty cheap in Texas.
Oh for ***'s sake...
...don't get him started on how great Texas is for the rich again. You should just let some things go man...
サーバ: Lakshmi
Game: FFXI
Posts: 10394
By Lakshmi.Sparthosx 2015-04-21 14:21:23
So everyone should flood Texas so they become the next Florida!
*packing intensifies*
Bahamut.Ravael
サーバ: Bahamut
Game: FFXI
Posts: 13638
By Bahamut.Ravael 2015-04-21 14:26:58
Yeah...I'm not real good at letting people try to shove their way of life at me and staying quiet about it.
I'm just confused why you think forcing your viewpoints on others is the only way to rebel against those trying to do it to you. Maybe study conflict resolution strategies? Maybe read a book on Gandhi?
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サーバ: Asura
Game: FFXI
Posts: 34187
By Asura.Kingnobody 2015-04-21 14:29:23
Property taxes seem pretty cheap in Texas. Actually, property taxes in Texas is one of the highest in the US.
In a recent study, of the top 50 cities in the US, 3 Texas cities are in the top 5 ranking, with San Antonio being in #2 and the highest in the state.
It just depends on the size of the property and what it is used for.
サーバ: Asura
Game: FFXI
Posts: 34187
By Asura.Kingnobody 2015-04-21 14:30:37
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »So everyone should flood Texas so they become the next Florida!
*packing intensifies*
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Bahamut.Ravael
サーバ: Bahamut
Game: FFXI
Posts: 13638
By Bahamut.Ravael 2015-04-21 14:32:09
So Ramyrez thinks having children is a bad thing now? Every time I see my little boy laugh and enjoy life in a way that only a child can, it gives Ramyrez's view on the world a big middle finger. So what do you do when you see a little boy with broken bones and bruises from being abused or that mini graveyard in that lady's backyard that admitted to strangling 6 of her babies shortly after they were born? Does that support his view? I'm not saying having kids is a bad thing or that people shouldn't but that your response there is just laughable.
Well sure, I can ignore all of the children that live happy, productive lives and base my viewpoint only on the minority that are abused or outright murdered. But then I might be, oh, I dunno, bitter.
Lakshmi.Flavin
サーバ: Lakshmi
Game: FFXI
Posts: 18466
By Lakshmi.Flavin 2015-04-21 14:34:21
Property taxes seem pretty cheap in Texas. Actually, property taxes in Texas is one of the highest in the US.
In a recent study, of the top 50 cities in the US, 3 Texas cities are in the top 5 ranking, with San Antonio being in #2 and the highest in the state.
It just depends on the size of the property and what it is used for. That's what I had originally thought about Texas but $7,000 just seemed low to me from what I'm used to around here regarding private homeownership.
サーバ: Asura
Game: FFXI
Posts: 34187
By Asura.Kingnobody 2015-04-21 14:38:07
Property taxes seem pretty cheap in Texas. Actually, property taxes in Texas is one of the highest in the US.
In a recent study, of the top 50 cities in the US, 3 Texas cities are in the top 5 ranking, with San Antonio being in #2 and the highest in the state.
It just depends on the size of the property and what it is used for. That's what I had originally thought about Texas but $7,000 just seemed low to me from what I'm used to around here regarding private homeownership. That was just school taxes, actual property taxes, including school, was around $65k.
Also, almost all of it was non-homestead, which is a different rate than homestead.
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サーバ: Lakshmi
Game: FFXI
Posts: 10394
By Lakshmi.Sparthosx 2015-04-21 14:40:14
Lowest property taxes is Louisiana baby.
Good thing im in the state with the highest property taxes in the nation <3.
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Lakshmi.Flavin
サーバ: Lakshmi
Game: FFXI
Posts: 18466
By Lakshmi.Flavin 2015-04-21 14:43:10
So Ramyrez thinks having children is a bad thing now? Every time I see my little boy laugh and enjoy life in a way that only a child can, it gives Ramyrez's view on the world a big middle finger. So what do you do when you see a little boy with broken bones and bruises from being abused or that mini graveyard in that lady's backyard that admitted to strangling 6 of her babies shortly after they were born? Does that support his view? I'm not saying having kids is a bad thing or that people shouldn't but that your response there is just laughable.
Well sure, I can ignore all of the children that live happy, productive lives and base my viewpoint only on the minority that are abused or outright murdered. But then I might be, oh, I dunno, bitter. So you'd just rather ignore all the children, and there are a lot more than you seem to think, that don't live happy and productive lives so you can blindly gaze upon the more fortunate ones to attempt to make a point?
You don't need to be bitter to see reality for what it is both good and bad.
Remo has viewpoints that are pretty toxic but the idea that we take care of the children out there that are already struggling before bring more in, while shortsighted, is not a terrible thought process. We should be helpping all of our childreninto becoming productive members of society.
We should never lose sight of all the wonderful things that children bring to our lives but we also shouldn't let that blind us to the strife that is already out there.
Seraph.Ramyrez
サーバ: Seraph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1918
By Seraph.Ramyrez 2015-04-21 14:43:18
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »Lowest property taxes is Louisiana baby.
Hopefully offset by the high cost of flood insurance...
Seraph.Ramyrez
サーバ: Seraph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1918
By Seraph.Ramyrez 2015-04-21 14:52:24
Remo has viewpoints that are pretty toxic
I can see how and why they're unpopular, and my delivery may be too confrontational, but I fail to see how they're toxic or harmful. At absolute worst they maintain the status quo. At least on the subject of children.
Americans are spending $153 billion a year to subsidize McDonald’s and Wal-Mart’s low wage workers
The Washington post
And because its behind a paywall....
Quote: The low wages paid by businesses, including some of the largest and most profitable companies in the U.S. – like McDonald’s and Wal-Mart – are costing taxpayers nearly $153 billion a year.
After decades of wage cuts and health benefit rollbacks, more than half of all state and federal spending on public assistance programs goes to working families who need food stamps, Medicaid, or other support to meet basic needs. Let that sink in — American taxpayers are subsidizing people who work — most of them full-time (in some case more than full-time) because businesses do not pay a living wage.
Workers like Terrence Wise, a 35-year-old father who works part-time at McDonald’s and Burger King in Kansas City, Mo., and his fiancée Myosha Johnson, a home care worker, are among millions of families in the U.S. who work an average of 38 hours per week but still rely on public assistance. Wise is paid $8.50 an hour at his McDonald’s job and $9 an hour at Burger King. Johnson is paid just above $10 an hour, even after a decade in her field. Wise and Johnson together rely on $240 a month in food stamps to feed their three kids, a cost borne by taxpayers.
The problem of low wages and the accompanying public cost extends far beyond the fast-food industry. Forty-eight percent of home care workers rely on public assistance. In child care, it’s 46 percent. Among part-time college faculty—some of the most highly educated workers in the country—it’s 25 percent.
Ebony Hughes is paid $7.50 an hour as a home care worker in Durham, N.C., and has a second job at a local KFC. While the home care industry has the fastest growing number of jobs in America, these workers are some of the lowest paid in the country – earning, on average, $13,000 a year. To get enough hours to pay the bills, Hughes works from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. But she and her daughter still rely on public assistance to make ends meet.
UC Berkeley’s Center for Labor Research and Education, which I chair, has analyzed state spending for Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and federal spending for those programs as well as food stamps and the Earned Income Tax Credit.
We found that, on average, 52 percent of state public assistance spending supports working families (defined as working for at least 26 weeks a year and 10 hours a week) – with costs as high as $3.7 billion in California, $3.3 billion in New York, and $2 billion in Texas.
In recent months, the substantial public cost of low wages has prompted elected officials to take action. Legislators in California, Colorado, Maine, Oregon, and Washington are considering increasing the minimum wage to $12 an hour. In Connecticut, a proposal currently moving through the state legislature would fine large companies that pay low wages in an effort to recoup the costs imposed on taxpayers.
When 73 percent of people who benefit from major public assistance programs live in a working family, our economy isn’t operating the way it should – and could – be. From 2003-2013, inflation-adjusted wages fell for the entire bottom 70 percent of the workforce. Over the same time period we have also seen a large decline in the share of Americans with job-based health coverage.
Today – on Tax Day – underpaid workers are striking and protesting in cities across the country and around the globe to call for $15 an hour and the right to form a union. Their success would increase family incomes for tens of millions of adjunct professors, fast-food, home care and child care workers, among other underpaid workers. Raising wages would also generate significant savings to state and federal governments, and allow them to better target how our tax dollars are used.
Public assistance programs provide a vital support system for American families. But when Americans like Wise, Johnson and Hughes are working as hard as they can and are still paid too little to get by without public support, we need action to raise wages. On Tax Day it is a good time to take a hard look at the high public cost of low wages in the United States.
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