Lawyers do not produce anything of value to the general public. Yes, they're good for settling a dispute from time to time. However, for the most part, the only thing they care about is their time - what can they get for each billable hour. I marvel at the bills my boss receives from her attorneys. It seems like 75% of their time is spent on the phone 'consulting'.
As a CPA, I must admit that I don't produce much more than your average attorney. My value to my company and my clients is that I know how to minimize the heavy burden that our government places on our productivity, and profitability.
I laughed at parsifal's analysis of the minimum wage, and how he defines 'reasonable'. The 'market', for better or worse, will always be the best arbiter of what is 'reasonable'. For example, the minimum wage is hardly a factor in the D/FW Metroplex, despite the recession. McDonald's still advertises a starting wage of 'up to $8', so it's likely that their more experienced staff makes over that. Why? Because they are more efficient, and therefore more profitable than when they started...they are more valuable to their company, just like a law firm partner being more valuable to the firm than a new associate.
I'd be willing to bet that parsifal's law firm pays AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE for their clerical and administrative help. Nothing wrong with that, except that the shoe is now on the other foot.
Don't let your dislike for Parsifal make you make dumb comments. I am a lawyer, and I not only passed Econ 101 (actually, 1301, I think) I have an Economics degree and a graduate class in Mathmatical Economics.
Lawyers do not produce anything of value to the general public.
Hmmm. I hope I don't think about those comments when I am arguing the overturn of Roe v. Wade to the Supreme Court. Or the correct interpretation of the First Amendment religion clauses. Or am ON the SC (imagine that!) making competent (well, arguably) rulings.