[operation clinton cleanup]

The legislation was groundbreaking because the living wage had previously applied only to workers at government contractors and other firms with a direct financial relationship with the city.

Sooo... what exactly is a living wage (do people die without one)?

[jazusamo]

Hah! I don’t think people die without it but small business sure can with it. Isn’t it wonderful that city polititions and unions can get together and tell a business what to pay their employees? At least this judge has some sense.

[bpjam]

Living Wage - Socialism. The Soviets had a ‘living wage’ yet somehow the people in Russia just didn’t find it all that appealing.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> Sooo... what exactly is a living wage (do people die without one)?

There is no such thing as “Tipping” in New Zealand (and to a lesser extent in “West Island” AKA Australia) because our service industry is paid a “living wage” — or so the theory goes.

There — that knocks at least 10%-20% off just about any service you can imagine. Go to the bar, have a pint: $6.00 on the nail. Take out of your pocket a $5 note and a $1 coin. That’s all.

Pizza delivery, two large, $20 on the nail. Take out of your pocket two $10 notes and hand ‘em over.

Hotel room, $100 per nite for two nites. $200 will show up on your next American Express bill — that’s it!

Dinner for two at a fancy-schmansy restaurant: $250 including wine. Waiter notices that you have a foreign-sounding North American Accent and hands you your credit card check, with $250 on the top line and the bottom line vacant. You wreck his day by being a local, fill in the bottom line for $250 and sign. No harm, no foul.

*That* is what a “living wage” is all about. Why should you have to subsidize a business by paying their staff? That is legitimately the responsibility of the business owner.

“Living Wage” is a wonderful idea, a great Innovation that works well DownUnder. America should adopt it nationwide, immediately.

*DieHard*

[donmeaker]

“Living Wage” means some level of government has authority to set your wages, even if the job is so easy, that many people are willing to do the work for less.

It provides endless opportunity for political combinations to take control of private property.

Using political means to get what you can’t get honestly is called “Rent Seeking”.