Dear Editor:
Re. Market Controls Workers' Wages in Our Economic System, June 22
I would respectfully disagree with letter-writer Mr. Alan S. Wilson. In reality, this argument is about whether our adult children can afford their own place in today's economy.
There must be something wrong with our society when someone with a university bachelor of arts degree has to toil at fast food restaurants for a $7 minimum wage. It is nonsense of course if Mr. Wilson suggests, for the government to legislate a $30 per hour wage. However, if we cannot pay our young people a "living wage," which would mean their own apartment, only the rich children get jobs in their parents companies and trust me their salary will be a lot more than minimum wage.
There exists legislation in Seattle, Wash. to create a "living wage" to $15 within a number of years. This delay will hopefully give time to help businesses to set adjustment strategies. I can see a lot of positive signs will happen for the local businesses due to this change. First sign probably will be people moving out of ones parent's home. Second, and the apartment industry would likely get a huge boost from this, is people will move into apartments, and because of that, will be able to buy furniture, TVs, maybe a car, etc. Even the government will benefit from this with higher taxes from everywhere where this policy is in effect.
As it stands right now, that's not going to happen, because none of these dreams are affordable for the regular university student with $30,000 student loans on his neck. It appears the financial industry is interested in keeping students indebted instead of paying higher salaries. Most people understand how our market economy works, Mr. Wilson; however, it is totally irresponsible when we give executives gazillions of dollars. Don't tell me anybody is worth $100 million annual salary. Nobody is! That is just plain greed, which will eventually destroy the North American economy.
University of Kansas research assistant Arnobio Morelix found that if McDonalds were to double the salaries and benefits of all of its employees, from the CEO down to the minimum wage cashiers, it would still only cost an extra 68 cents for a Big Mac, according to a new report. If I were to buy a McDonald burger, I would gladly pay 68 cents more if that helps to get our adult children into their own apartments.
McDonalds leadership has tried to frame itself as a charitable "above minimum wage" employer. However, they are taking Seattle to court challenging the wage hike.
Michael Stichnoth
North Vancouver
Editor's note: Minimum wage in British Columbia is $10.25.
