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Posted (edited)

 

Who said making a living wage is based on luck?

 

Unless of course you believe the saying luck is the intersection between preparation and opportunity.

For me, I was looking at working part time for $11/hr as the only thing I could find the last time I was unemployed... it was the only place that gave me a chance. Luck comes into play that I had an acquaintance, that I met by chance, through a hobby, that passed along a job fair notification at his company, I showed up prepared for the listed openings, the guy who was supposed to interview me wasn't around (went to the bathroom), so one of the bosses here covered for him for a minute. Said boss looked at my resume and noted that she actually needed someone with my skillset even though they didn't have that particular job officially open. I wouldn't have been hired if the other guy didn't step away to go to the bathroom. I wouldn't have been aware of that job fair (it wasn't advertised outside of references from employees) if not for the acquaintance I met randomly. I got lucky, I took advantage of the luck, sure, but I fully admit to getting lucky. That's the kind of thing I'm talking about. I met the right people at the right time... but I was striking out big time in sending my resumes for jobs without some sort of connection.

I think this is where the disconnect is. Why is it necessary for every job, no matter what the skill or difficulty level guarantee household total support? The jobs that the minimum wage is targeting should never be considered a primary income for a household or family. They are meant to be entry level. Personally I think the are invaluable for teaching basic work habits and responsibility. I also believe when you artificially inflate the wage it is kind of a trap for the employee. If you think about it by making that person comfortable in that position isn't there a possibility that they get stagnated? The motivation for learning a higher paying skill is gone They are happy to do the shite job for way to long. In turn hurting society as a whole. We will end up with a bunch of bots that are capable of not much.

Indeed there is a disconnect here. It's a basic ideological difference, I respect your view on it, it's noble. I think it's unnecessary in the developed world, though.

Edited by Dorkington
Posted

For me, I was looking at working part time for $11/hr as the only thing I could find the last time I was unemployed... it was the only place that gave me a chance. Luck comes into play that I had an acquaintance, that I met by chance, through a hobby, that passed along a job fair notification at his company, I showed up prepared for the listed openings, the guy who was supposed to interview me wasn't around (went to the bathroom), so one of the bosses here covered for him for a minute. Said boss looked at my resume and noted that she actually needed someone with my skillset even though they didn't have that particular job officially open. I wouldn't have been hired if the other guy didn't step away to go to the bathroom. I would have been aware of that job fair (it wasn't advertised outside of references from employees) if not for the acquaintance I met randomly. I got lucky, I took advantage of the luck, sure, but I fully admit to getting lucky. That's the kind of thing I'm talking about. I met the right people at the right time... but I was striking out big time in sending my resumes for jobs without some sort of connection.

Indeed there is a disconnect here. It's a basic ideological difference, I respect your view on it, it's noble. I think it's unnecessary in the developed world, though.

 

You read my definition of luck right? The opportunity presented itself and you prepared for it. You created your luck by hanging out with people (your hobby). That's not chance that's called networking. You showed up prepared and you have actual skills that you learned along the way. Very little luck here. Look back. Most of it was of your own doing.

Posted

 

You read my definition of luck right? The opportunity presented itself and you prepared for it. You created your luck by hanging out with people (your hobby). That's not chance that's called networking. You showed up prepared and you have actual skills that you learned along the way. Very little luck here. Look back. Most of it was of your own doing.

Yes I did, I was expanding on it with my own situation. She hasn't met the "right people" to have such a situation pop up, is what I'm getting at, that's the luck part, imo. I think luck is the opportunity, and it's up to the individual to take advantage of the opportunity or not.

Posted

Yes I did, I was expanding on it with my own situation. She hasn't met the "right people" to have such a situation pop up, is what I'm getting at, that's the luck part, imo. I think luck is the opportunity, and it's up to the individual to take advantage of the opportunity or not.

 

Close. It's up to the individual to create the opportunity. I was in a career (Chef) that I had been involved in all my life. I was 39 and no longer liked it. Hated it as a matter of fact. So I looked around, talked to people, went to an employment agency and took some sort of an aptitude test. Came back financial advisor so I gave it a shot. Within 8 years I was a regional VP. All this on an Associates degree I Culinary Arts.

Posted

What the hell ever happened to the concept of people getting up off their butts and making things happen for themselves? Why is this so difficult?

Posted

What the hell ever happened to the concept of people getting up off their butts and making things happen for themselves? Why is this so difficult?

This concept is irrelevant to politico's when they can pander to the masses by giving them something they didn't earn.

Posted

What the hell ever happened to the concept of people getting up off their butts and making things happen for themselves? Why is this so difficult?

Believe it or not, there are plenty of people who are "off their butts" working hard, but are unable/having difficulty making ends meet. It's the basis of the minimum wage debate.

Posted

What the hell ever happened to the concept of people getting up off their butts and making things happen for themselves? Why is this so difficult?

 

And many may say "I'm not sitting on my butt. I'm out there!" But have no clue that what they are doing, where they are going, who they are talking to is so wrong. When I was in high school looking for work after I graduated I thought just going around and filling out applications was all it took. In my business now I tell my staff that you're unemployed every week and it's up to you to get employed. Now go out there and make it happen!

Believe it or not, there are plenty of people who are "off their butts" working hard, but are unable/having difficulty making ends meet. It's the basis of the minimum wage debate.

 

But here's the thing. We're of the mindset that if you're an adult (let's say over 25 to give the benefit of the doubt) and are still struggling in minimum wage jobs you've got an issue.

Posted

Believe it or not, there are plenty of people who are "off their butts" working hard, but are unable/having difficulty making ends meet. It's the basis of the minimum wage debate.

If you have a skill and willing to work you will be in demand just because the good ones are hard to find. You will make ends meet and then some. Except here in Cali :cry:

Posted

My gf makes $10/hr, if she didn't live with me, there's no way she'd be able to afford to live in a 1 bedroom or a studio in the area at that wage. She'd either have to have multiple roommates, or move further away than it's worth.

 

Since you brought her up, I hope you won't mind asking a couple of questions. How old is she, and what is she doing that she's making $10/hour?

Posted

If you have a skill and willing to work you will be in demand just because the good ones are hard to find. You will make ends meet and then some. Except here in Cali :cry:

I generally agree with all of this... but also believe it can vary greatly depending on region and the economy.

Posted

I generally agree with all of this... but also believe it can vary greatly depending on region and the economy.

 

And that's why many make the opportunity by relocating to where they can have a decent life based on their skill set.

Posted

 

And that's why many make the opportunity by relocating to where they can have a decent life based on their skill set.

Relocating isn't easy/an option for everyone. But, it is for some, and it's something that I had to do, myself.

Posted

Relocating isn't easy/an option for everyone. But, it is for some, and it's something that I had to do, myself.

Bull !@#$ing ****!! Now you're just an enabler. The world has a long history of people packing up and moving someplace to make a go of their lives.

Posted

Believe it or not, there are plenty of people who are "off their butts" working hard, but are unable/having difficulty making ends meet. It's the basis of the minimum wage debate.

Yes there are many of those. The economy isn't producing enough better paying jobs and we have near 10 million illegal immigrants working here which reduces wages for many low income Americans. Seems to me me that we need policy making aimed at giving preference to American workers (like following the law) and also policies to encourage private sector business development. Instead we have politicians who want to oppose both and instead increase regulations (Obamacare, higher minimum wage, extended unemployment and others) which reduce employment all in the name of votes.

Posted

Bull !@#$ing ****!! Now you're just an enabler. The world has a long history of people packing up and moving someplace to make a go of their lives.

 

I would also argue that whatever you're doing for $10/hour shouldn't keep you from getting another job to supplement that income.

 

If it doesn't, then it's holding you back and you need to dump that crap job for two better jobs with more hours.

Posted

 

Close. It's up to the individual to create the opportunity. I was in a career (Chef) that I had been involved in all my life. I was 39 and no longer liked it. Hated it as a matter of fact. So I looked around, talked to people, went to an employment agency and took some sort of an aptitude test. Came back financial advisor so I gave it a shot. Within 8 years I was a regional VP. All this on an Associates degree I Culinary Arts.

And now you can cook the books with the best of them? :bag:

Posted

I generally agree with all of this... but also believe it can vary greatly depending on region and the economy.

 

Yeah. For example, I've been stuck delivering pizza in Buffalo for almost 30 years...

Posted

Yeah. For example, I've been stuck delivering pizza in Buffalo for almost 30 years...

Get a GPS and it will shorten that delivery time.

Posted

Believe it or not, there are plenty of people who are "off their butts" working hard, but are unable/having difficulty making ends meet. It's the basis of the minimum wage debate.

 

They're either not working hard enough, or they haven't developed any kind of practical skill that will earn them a decent wage. That's their responsibility, not anyone else's.

 

Bull !@#$ing ****!! Now you're just an enabler. The world has a long history of people packing up and moving someplace to make a go of their lives.

 

Exactly right. How many people here at TBD have had to move away from WNY in order to make a living?

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