Living wages (salaries, illegal, cost, dollars)

[crystalblue]

what would the US look like if it was mandated, by law, that every full time working person in the US was paid a living wage for their area.

As an example, a burger flipper at BK would prob make in the 50's in San Fran


how would that effect this country?

[Mircea]

Originally Posted by crystalblue

how would that effect this country?

Instant recession.

[jtur88]

A lot of Okies living in their cars in BK parking lots in SF.

[mullman]

That same BK burger would cost $11.99, not $1.99

[ottomobeale]

They would lay off all adults and hire kids. If illegal then instant inflation.

Burger flippers simply are not worth 25 dollars an hour.

[crystalblue]

I am trying to prove a point to a friend of mine

Can anyone explain the basic economics behind this in an easy to understand manner?

thanks!

[cap1717]

in this scenario, prices would go up some, but perhaps not as much as many fear, it could not work at all unless strict limits on pay ratio for senior management were implemented. On the postive side, it would take much of the money motive out of choosing a career, and people would be much more likely to choose with regard to what they are truly most suited for, rather than how they might ecpect to be compensated

[crystalblue]

Originally Posted by cap1717

in this scenario, prices would go up some, but perhaps not as much as many fear, it could not work at all unless strict limits on pay ratio for senior management were implemented. On the postive side, it would take much of the money motive out of choosing a career, and people would be much more likely to choose with regard to what they are truly most suited for, rather than how they might ecpect to be compensated

but would managers be willing to accept that? wouldnt they demand much higher salaries?

[LibertyandJusticeforAll]

All prices of all CEO's and clerical jobs and all labor jobs would increase. Of course to set the price of salaries is not the JOB of the government in fact the min wage is what caused lower prices then even needed and many people over time got screwed. Markets set prices for salaries not LIVING wage government LAWS. This is the typical socialist left ideas to make union workers continue to vote for leftist democrats and promote the destruction of liberty. What they should do is just remove the income taxes and lower then for ALL workers and stop illegal immgrantion and then you can work on a market salary.

[cap1717]

Originally Posted by crystalblue

but would managers be willing to accept that? wouldnt they demand much higher salaries?

What "clout" would they have to "demand" higher salaries? If others are willing and able to come in and do that job for less (just like among the "front line" employees, they may very well find themselves out of a job. All salaries should have a "base" (in this case, a "living wage" for the area in which the job exists), with "reasonable" increases for extraordinary performance, etc. Cost of living increases should be fair and across the board for all employees.