Does the Minimum Wage Really Drive Up Costs?

[HiloJulie]

The main reason Walmart and to a lesser extent, Costo thrives is because Americans are much more happier buying imported Chinese junk where the employees are treated worse than dirt, paid less than $100.00 a week with no security or insurance or benefits whatsoever as well as not having to deal with environmental standards relating to clean air, clean water, disposal etc.

Further, Walmart and to a lesser extent, Costco thrives even more is their ability to pay their workers albeit in accordance with the minimum wage standards, but in a way that makes it the one of the fourth largest American companies whose employees must also receive SNAP benefits to exist.

Walmart also has in various areas around the Country where unionization efforts were attempted, to just upright close the store.

At least Costco is mostly cooperative in any local unionization efforts.

[AaronM]

This seems like an appropriate moment to mention that one of the worst bloated legislative nightmares in history, The Farm Bill, is up for reauthorization.

Feel free to put your elected officials on notice that this disgusting slab of pork is an insult to all humanity. 

Or just keep moaning on PW, where your concerns will actually be read.

[HiloJulie]

This seems like an appropriate moment to mention that one of the worst bloated legislative nightmares in history, The Farm Bill, is up for reauthorization.

Feel free to put your elected officials on notice that this disgusting slab of pork is an insult to all humanity. 

Or just keep moaning on PW, where your concerns will actually be read.

Seems like a lot of moaning on your part to me!

But I am sure you would be happy to cut a program that provides:

• 43 Million in agricultural jobs
  
• 2.3 Trillion in wages
  
• 718 Billion in tax revenues
  
• 183 Billion in export revenues
  
• 7.4 Trillion in economic activity
  
• 9 Billion meals and nutritional programs
  
• 41.1 million participants with SNAP/WIC (for those hard-working Walmart employees)
  
• Insures 455 million acres with disaster insurance
  
• Over 2 million for Hawaii agriculture programs
  
• plays a pivotal role in ensuring a secure food supply, creating jobs, promoting sustainability, managing risks, and addressing food insecurity
  
• impacts everything from the land we grow our food, fiber and fuel on
  
• to the farmers growing it, to the wellbeing of all who rely on these American grown products.
  

While I am sure the Farm Bill is full of $100,000 hammers and significant waste and greed (this is America after all) as well as significant "Stacy Higa" style recipients siphoning off millions for personal use, but that COULD be dealt with in other ways but SHOULD not impact the bill's passage.

I'm more than sure you would also favor another 3.5 trillion-dollar deficit causing tax break for those earning over 10 million, such as yourself, but that's a whole other topic!

[AaronM]

Oh honey.  You're too predictable.  Anything I saw you saw the opposite.  Now you've taken that to the extreme of defending one of the biggest pieces of corporate welfare legislation!

I guess you're a big fan of factory farms, subsidized dairy and artificial ingredients?  Of course you are.

[HiloJulie]

Oh honey.  You're too predictable.  Anything I saw you saw the opposite.  Now you've taken that to the extreme of defending one of the biggest pieces of corporate welfare legislation!

I guess you're a big fan of factory farms, subsidized dairy and artificial ingredients?  Of course you are.

Oh yes! - Now the "honey" comment!

What would a woman know, right?

I'd say 3.5 trillion-dollar tax cuts for those who make over 10 million is a far far bigger welfare piece of legislation than one could ever imagine and one that impacts less that 1% of the population.

But, well, what do I know. I'm a "honey"

I'll be in the kitchen now making dinner! I'm too old to make babies!

[AaronM]

Oh honey.  You're too predictable.  Anything I saw you saw the opposite.  Now you've taken that to the extreme of defending one of the biggest pieces of corporate welfare legislation!

I guess you're a big fan of factory farms, subsidized dairy and artificial ingredients?  Of course you are.

Oh yes! - Now the "honey" comment!

What would a woman know, right?

I'd say 3.5 trillion-dollar tax cuts for those who make over 10 million is a far far bigger welfare piece of legislation than one could ever imagine and one that impacts less that 1% of the population.

But, well, what do I know. I'm a "honey"

I'll be in the kitchen now making dinner! I'm too old to make babies!

Thank goodness for that!