Living/minimum wage workers primiarily young?

[Seeeker]

Hiya, I'm a newbie.

My father is a republican. I am democrat. Our latest debate is the issue of the living wage. Recently Maryland enacted a living wage law for companies doing business in Maryland. There are many arguments and moral principles which I support that favor the enactment of a living wage, that is, a long overdue increases of the minimum wage.

Most notably to me is Teddy Rooselvelt's address to the National Progressive Party in 1912:
"We stand for a living wage. Wages are subnormal if they fail to provide a living for those who devote their time and energy to industrial occupations. The monetary equivalent of a living wage varies according to local conditions, but must include enough to secure the elements of a normal standard of living--a standard high enough to make morality possible, to provide for education and recreation, to care for immature members of the family, to maintain the family during periods of sickness, and to permit of reasonable saving for old age."

Powerful stuff.

However, statistics from the Department of Labor website:

http://www.bls.gov/cps/minwage2004.htm

state that half of all minimum wage workers are under 25, 1/4 b/w 16-19. This implies that such young workers are sufficiently compensated at their age for unskilled jobs. Of course you could simply say "what about the other half?," including families living below the poverty line.

So why is the living wage issue so hot right now if such a significant proportion are so young? Am I missing something...

Thanks.

[Whitten]

I am democrat.

Sorry but your gonna be sent to opposing ideologies. Supporters of capitalism are not allowed.

[Seeeker]

Whoops. Yeah I guess this is much further left than I thought. The hammer & sickle should have alerted me.

[BobKKKindle$]

You will be restricted but I will still make some comments and I hope this will change your perspective on Capitalism, and hopefully you will be able to make some posts before you are restricted. Or else maybe this thread can be moved to OI so you can discuss the issue?

Revolutionary Socialists do not confine their demands to issues relating to improvements within the framework of the existing system such as establishing and raising the minumum wage - we endeavour to totally destroy the entire economic structure and relationships of Capitalism, most importantly wage labour, in favour of a system which allows workers to own and control the products of their labour and collectively manage the means of production and all economic resources. Although fighting for reforms under Capitalism is important, the minimum wage does not abolish 'exploitation' in the Marxist sense - workers are still payed less than the value of their labour, and the difference is referred to as surplus value which allows the Capitalist to make a profit.

Go here if you want to learn more about Marxist economics : http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/index.php?showtopic=45625

In answer to your points, though, the minimum wage is a 'hot' issue in many Capitalist countries because increases in wages restrict the Capitalist's ability to ensure a high rate of profit, which is the primary and possibly the only concern for Capitalists - simple as that really. I don't know whether the majority of minimum wage earners are young - this may be an idea that is promoted in order to support the restriction of increases in the minumum wage.

Capitalists will try to force down wages and prevent further wages rises even if current wages are not sufficient to secure access to important amenities and necessities such as education and housing, as Capitalism is a system that is based on maximising private benefit, often at the expense of the broader interests of the community and meeting human needs.

[Tower of Bebel]

It's scarry how people get restricted because they're not revolutionaries.

[BobKKKindle$]

It's scarry how people get restricted because they're not revolutionaries.

This is a site for revolutionary socialists. Discussion within the main forums is impeded if people question even the most basic premise of our movement - that real and lasting change can only come through revolutionary struggle.

[Whitten]

Originally posted by [email protected] 05, 2007 01:09 pm
It's scarry how people get restricted because they're not revolutionaries.
There are plenty of neutral political forums where we can discuss whether revolution is right or wrong, essential or not, but this one is designed for discussion between revolutionary leftists about more in-depth theoretical questions and issues.

[dso79]

Opposing ideologies is for anti-communists, who disrupt threads and turn every discussion into a capitalism vs communism debate.

Newbies who are here to learn or others who are just interested in our point of view should not be restricted, as long as their behaviour is not disruptive. After all, we want to convert people, not scare them away.

[Janus]

Newbies who are here to learn or others who are just interested in our point of view should not be restricted, as long as their behaviour is not disruptive.
They're usually given a bit of leeway as long as they don't come out in support of capitalism or express other blatantly reactionary views.

[arielle]

Originally posted by [email protected] 05, 2007 09:16 am

I am democrat.

Sorry but your gonna be sent to opposing ideologies. Supporters of capitalism are not allowed.
Seeeker may be a democrat but maybe not fully understand what he/she is supporting. :) Have a look around and read some articles and perpectives Seeeker. Be open minded as best as you can.