I really didnt want to spend half my evening on this, but I *must.* Having more than a little experience with nearly *all* of these programs, I can refute his logic. Background: Ive been on SSDI/food stamps since 1996. NOT voluntarily, either, but due to disabling injuries. Ive been both a union member, _and_ a Union Steward, so I _know_ the real facts. In 1992, I had the _best_ working year, when I made about $22K (working for a state agency and doing private consulting). I got that State job. working from 1985 to 89, in a University student Computer lab. Not even making minimum wage. I lived in a building so run down that when an outer door slammed, the whole building shook. I worked all the hours I could, studied every chance I got, and took _every_ computer oriented class available. I rode the City Bus, or walked, for transportation. If you are stuck in a min. wage job, its because you *want* to be. A young woman I know, spent *four and a _years_* working as a CNA (Certified Nurses Aide) in a Nursing Home, so she could become an RN. I admire her tremendously for that. She was also _pregnant_ the last nine months of that job. =8-0 When I lived in public housing I knew single mothers doing everything they could, to see their children didnt spend their lives there. Food Stamps are run by counties, using State money, from the Federal Govt. (Feds set limits, rules, etc.). There are *no* changes for cost of living in an area. Indianapolis amounts are exactly the same as LA/NYC. (BTW, MedicAid, is set up the exact same way.) But of course Academic Robert Reich, doesnt know/care about that. Increasingly, Doctors refuse new medicare/medicaid patients. (Its hard enough to find specialists, but harder for us.) Min. wage jobs are intended for people gaining job skills. Its because the person isnt *worth* more than that. To stay in business, a worker has to make money for the employer. Just in terms of taxes (forget overhead of lights, water, materials to sell, advertising, etc.) the worker has to earn $8.80/hour, to be paid $7.25/hour. Using a _very low_ adjustment amount of $1 more to cover L/W/Product that means a worker has to bring in a *minimum* of almost $10/hour, *before the employer sees any profits.* (Remember, the _employer_ has to be paid for providing the job, materials to sell, etc., as well as pay her _own_ expenses and taxes.) The market place (thats you and me) decides how much we are willing to pay for everything. If the price gets too high, we either do without, or buy a competitive (cheaper) product. Colleges and Universities inflated the value of a degree, and trashed the value of jobs that still need to be done. (Plumbers, electricians, painters, welders, etc., all make up to $50/hour, and plead for new workers.) Their degrees, cost up to $100,000 for a four year degree. Saddling the students with enormous student load debt, for degrees that have little real world value (Womens studies, for example). Democrats, through Congress and their policies, have caused the inflation he is so concerned about. They also, using tax policies and theory driven policies, destroyed jobs. Today, its harder than it has *ever* been, to start a company, and earn back the time/money invested. Unless you want to steal the efforts of the investor, by enslaving _them_. (Funny how you _never_ see an OWS type *volunteering* to start/run a company for *nothing (free of charge).* They always want to be paid, and paid well.) In reference to rich avoiding taxes, when was the last (or even the first time) Robert Reich and his type, paid the _maximum_ tax rates? Not taking _any_ deductions, or write offs? (Crickets) When I was a young man, a decent car, cost less than $5K, a decent _used_ car, was as little as $100. Today, a minimal new car, _starts_ at $19K, and is usually $21K plus. A decent used car, starts at $3K. Yes, they are safer, but because to meet mileage standards they are built with thinner metal, and are lighter. So, they have to build in anti-pollution gear, and special crash resistance. All that costs a _lot_ more money. (Air bags, start at $500, before installation, Catalytic converters run $800+.) Thats just the _start_ of what academic theories have done to inflate costs, and destroy jobs. Yes, the air is cleaner, but cars are safer, but at what cost? Electricity costs more, which means everything costs more. People can no longer afford the cost of a car, to get to jobs. Food supply costs are higher, making food cost more (which means that Food stamps dont go as far). My SSDI was $623/month in 1996, today its $996. Gas was under $2/Gallon, today its $3.50+. Movie matinees were $1, today they are $3.50 (I think, the last time I went, was in 2008). Finally, Ive been on unemployment, and it was tide you over while finding another job. Oh thats right, Progressive Liberals want to stop new jobs from being produced. Unless they are Government Jobs.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 23:24:38 +0000
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