General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Do you think a laborer who makes $150,000 a year with overtime is being overpaid? [View all]fujiyama
(15,185 posts)what the market determines. I don't say that to sound like a cold capitalist, but I don't understand how else wages can or should be set fairly. Employers will pay people what they feel they can get away with. That's also why I favor a minimum wage, and support cities determining living wage laws (depending on the cost of living).
That said, I also don't think anyone should go without the basic necessities of food, shelter, or health care. That's why like most liberals I favor a robust social safety net and universal health care (preferably along the lines of a single payer). And I believe that those profiting most from the system should give back more through taxes (especially those making their wealth primarily from capital gains).
I admit, I suppose I don't really understand your point. Do I believe that everyone should make $150,000? No, I don't. I don't understand why someone flipping burgers should make the same as a skilled laborer. The former may have a high school diploma at best. The latter will almost definitely have that as well as several years of experience and they would have gained insight and skills in their trade. How should their wages be set? I'd rather employees and employers figure that out. The same goes with any profession. Do surgeons make too much? They go through four years of undergrad, four years of med school, several years residency/fellowship...During that whole time they bust their ass. Their skills and knowledge are highly valued by society.
And I also don't understand what the "nicer things in life" are. A late model car? A vacation home by the lake? A boat? I suppose, like in Europe it may be nice if we had some mandated vacation time though, but that's a societal difference. We value money very highly, while they place a large value on free time.