1 min readOct 23, 2018
- That would make sense if wages and productivity separated as of 1948. They separated in the late 70s and early 80s though. So technology that has been developed since 1948 does not explain the divergence.
- You created an example that’s thin at best — we’re not talking about “trained chimps”. We’re talking about teachers, police officers, and firefighters.
- Even if we were discussing “trained chimp” jobs, your example shows nothing except your callousness and shortsightedness as a business operator. As an example, when I hire contractors, regardless of what they are doing for me, I pay at least $15 an hour and I pay my contractors even before I’m paid by my client. I’d argue that people and businesses who can’t afford to pay living wages on time, can’t really afford to hire contractors - let alone employees. The business model is faulty if it relies on paying wages below the living wage, and it overall becomes a detriment to the economy as wages race to the bottom; folks have to work more jobs to pay the bills; and crime increases when folks can’t afford to pay rent even after working two legitimate jobs. It’s like Wal-Mart and McDonald’s telling their employees how to use foodstamps — the only reason their employees need the nutrition assistance is because their employers aren’t paying a living wage. Who makes up the difference? Taxpayers.
