Saturday, July 22, 2006

Minimum Wage in Maine

Here's my one bit of advice for those who are making minimum wage in Maine: don't have two children. You can't afford them. As a matter of fact, even if you're making considerably more than the minimum wage, you still can't afford them. If you've already got them, and suddenly find yourself making minimum wage for the foreseeable future, please consider giving them up for adoption to someone who can afford them.

I won't be holding my breath for an article from the Bangor Daily News that shows people who live from paycheck to paycheck at wages substantially higher than the minimum wage, and who realize they shouldn't have children because they can't afford them. And yet, the rest of society expects them to pay for the education and health care of everyone else's children. Even for children whose parents are quite better off financially.

The bloke profiled in the BDN article particularly should serve as a warning to everyone. If you've been in the same full-time job for ten years or more, and are only pulling in $900 per month from it, maybe you should spend a little less time bellyaching about the minimum wage and a little more time finding another job. It's well past time to move on and find some new employers who value your skills. Even unskilled employees should be able to quickly move up from minimum wage, assuming they show up on time and don't goof off too much.

Peace,

Tor

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