it's business

 I was engaged in a conversation with some about a Tik-Tok person going around asking people their salaries. My answer is simply, that's none of your business. Naturally there were those that disagreed with that for various reasons. The prevalent argument was that they should know what everyone else makes to establish equity. It's the only fair way, otherwise you might be taken advantage of. To me, it all sounds like a socialist attitude, everyone gets the same. In this conversation I was called a boomer and an old man with no knowledge of the real world. I agreed that I was indeed of the boomer generation and yes, I'm old. I then asked what that had to do with experience, skills and value to an employer. Didn't get much of answer on that, just a few more feeble attempts to insult me. I'm amused by that because in order to insult me I first have to value your words. This unknown entity, a printed comment on social media, I place little value on indeed. I'm as equally positive the feeling is reciprocal. 

 The discussion was about employment in the private sector. There was mention of government positions, the military, union jobs and state agencies that have posted and set paygrades. I'm well aware of all that having been in those positions myself. I can tell you one thing for certain; it isn't equitable when it comes to performance. I'm not going to go into that. But we are talking about the private sector, the key word there being, private. The contract is between me and that employer. I can accept what is offered, attempt to negotiate, or simply not take the job. The employer will compensate me for my labor. The employer is doing so to benefit themselves. Some do not seem to understand that simple business model, I'm in business to make money for me, not to enrich you. You are simply a tool required to do the job.  

 I have never been one to concern myself with what others are being paid. It's none of my business. If I suspect you are making more than I am, and I am unhappy about that, that's my problem. I can decide what action I want to take. The bottom line will be, how valuable am I to my employer? I don't get to assign that value! Yes, I know, and there were many in that discussion that felt otherwise. Feelings do not change reality! You do not get to assign that value. Or another way to put that is, how much benefit am I to the employer? He is spending his money on a product. That product is my labor. He wants value for his money, a good product. Only he gets to make that determination. It's a judgement call. His money, his call.

 It's getting to be a real issue today. So many college graduates feeling they should receive a higher degree of compensation because, well, they have a degree. They have assigned a worth to themselves that exceeds what an employer is willing to pay. There is far more to working than basic knowledge. Experience, maturity, how you fit into the company and other factors to be considered. What do you have to offer? I have a degree in "whatever." That's wonderful and your starting offer will be higher than someone that doesn't have that degree. You know why? Because you have something to offer that the other person doesn't. That doesn't mean you have the same thing to offer as another with that same degree. That's where the "judgement" part enters the picture. It doesn't matter what Joe makes, what matters is what the employer is willing to pay me. It works exactly the same way with the minimum wage employee. What do you have to offer? You will be paid accordingly. You do not get to assign that value. 

 In 1938 during the great depression a federally mandated minimum wage was established. It was .25 cents an hour. It has increased twenty-two times since then and stands at 7.25 an hour today. It was established to stimulate the economy. It had nothing to do with equality, equity and social justice. It had everything to do with the economy of the nation. Some states had established minimum wage laws prior to that. There were challenges in the courts regarding all of that. The Supreme court heard a few cases on the constitutionality of such laws. Eventually it was determined it was constitutional. It was FDR that signed the legislation establishing a federal minimum wage as part of his "new deal" initiatives. Yes, it is a social program this concept of a minimum wage. 

   “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy."

This quote is attributed to several people. I believe it to be the truth. It certainly seems to be playing out that way. Loose fiscal policy? I'd say that is most definitely the case. We, as a nation give away literally billions of dollars every single year. All the while we have an ever-increasing national debt in the trillions! What policy of an austere nature does the government have? If you find one, let me know. Government is a business and should be run as such. It should be profitable to the employer. We the people are those employers, yet we aren't making a dime! We the people are in debt, heavily in debt. And what solution is being proposed? Socialism. Read that quote again. What are you voting for? 

 Remember the New Deal was a "social welfare program" a step towards socialism. Not since 1836 has our government not been in debt! The last time the budget was balanced was in 2001. By balanced we mean, they could make all the payments on our debt. You know, like balancing your checkbook. We didn't have more going out than coming in. Government guidelines say I should save 20% of my income. 50/30/20. Fifty per cent for your needs, thirty per cent for your wants and twenty per cent in savings. Be great if the government followed their own advice wouldn't it?