My Soapbox Is Slippery When Wet

Probably because I use liquid detergent. I heard on the radio this morning a couple of things that I usually wouldn’t post about. They both involve politics of one sort or the other. I will admit that I don’t follow the full details of some of these things so I will say right now … I know I am NOT an expert and I am NOT speaking with knowledge of all the facts … probably not even most of the facts

First thing is about the pensions “reform” in my home state of Illinois. A new boll was signed into law today that will do something with the pension system that unions in particular are not fond of. That is all well and good. Like I said, I don’t know the facts so I am not sure what is being decreased, increased, taken away etc. The argument I keep hearing though is that the law is unconstitutional.  I am unclear exactly what is unconstitutional, and how pensions are part of the constitution in the first place for any changes to be un.

GOAL!!!!

Sorry, the Hawks are on while I am typing this.

As I was saying, is it a constitutional right that we get pensions or is it something about the changes themselves that are violating a constitutional law? I don’t think pensions are an inalienable right.

The second thing I heard was a discussion about the minimum wage protests. I am not against a minimum wage increase. I don’t think the people talking on the radio were either … in principle. The gist of it was this. Yes, there should be a minimum wage increase however, it can’t just be “hey, you used to make $7 now you make $15.  Here is why.

1)   The money will have to come from somewhere. That will mean price increases and no more dollar menu.

2)   If the lowest paid worker gets a 100% increase in wage. (I am just using round numbers because I suck at math) then the more skilled worker will think, “wait a minute, if they get more money, and I am more important to the operation of this company, then I want a doubling of salary.

3)   It isn’t a guarantee, it is called “earnings”. I hate to say this and I know that there are people that have these jobs because they can’t help it or circumstances are whatever they are but … if you are doing something that pays that low and you don’t like it, then there are plenty of other people that would gladly take that job. Better yourself to get a better job.

Hate on me all you want for that last part but I am playing devil’s advocate here. Like I said, I agree the minimum wage is too low. You can’t live on what it is. But, like everything else in this country, no matter who wants it, people just want it to happen but nobody wants to pay for it. It would be real nice to just say “BAM! The minimum wage is higher!” Then the employers can say “BAM! Our prices are higher!!” Then the same people will again say “We can’t afford anything we need the minimum wage higher!” It will be an endless cycle.

I don’t have a solution. I don’t have all the facts. I am not a politician. I don’t have a raccoon in my bedroom. I’m just sayin’ is all.

Oh yeah, Abe Vigoda is still alive. God bless him.