UO

jldubb0626

Let's hear 'em!

FSUNole31

Even though I don't like fruit/animals whatever on the butt of onesies, I think jeans with designs on the back pockets (especially with bling) are cute. I am talking about adult jeans too..just in case it was confusing because I mentioned baby clothes.

FSUNole31

BMReid said:

I might get it from some STMs for this one, but it really grinds my gears when people refer to children over a year old in months. 20 months? Just say a year and 8 months, for Pete's sake!

I can handle it up until 24 months...but I have a fb friend who posts captions on her picture saying "so and so at 35 months".  That is a bit much.

juliasmama2010

Starbucks grosses me out.  Can't stand the smell of it!  Blech!

 

I think the car seat regulations are bogus.  Back in my day (HAHA!), I sat on the floor in the backseat.  I also sat in between my Grandma and Great Grandma in the car and had two elbows for a seat belt (I think I was 3 or 4).  My 7 year old nephew weighs 80 pounds and I can't even imagine him in a booster seat.

 

My brain isn't awake yet so I'll come back with more as I know I thought of a couple earlier this week!  ;-)

ccip82

My UO...

I recently read a news article where fast food workers are going on strike for a raise and they want $15 an hour-which equates to $31,000 a year. As a former teacher, my starting off salary was not that much more than that and I find it effing ridiculous.

Especially when majority of the time my order is somehow fucked up anyway...

Before I sound like a heartless bitch, yes the minimum raise should be raised- but honestly there are many professions that are grossly underpaid that deserve more attention...

KEfam5

BMReid said:

I might get it from some STMs for this one, but it really grinds my gears when people refer to children over a year old in months. 20 months? Just say a year and 8 months, for Pete's sake!

I agree with this, starting after 18 months.

ccip82

KEfam5 said:

BMReid said:

I might get it from some STMs for this one, but it really grinds my gears when people refer to children over a year old in months. 20 months? Just say a year and 8 months, for Pete's sake!

I agree with this, starting after 18 months.

Disagree

I still refer to DD as XX months old. I think that using months is acceptable until they reach the age of two.

cpm1223

BMReid said:

I might get it from some STMs for this one, but it really grinds my gears when people refer to children over a year old in months. 20 months? Just say a year and 8 months, for Pete's sake!

Lol that bugs me too. It also reminds me of the movie Grown Ups when the kid is bfing and they ask how old he is. Then the parents say "48 months" lol so, 4 years old?

BuckeyeMommy4

KaitiMac said:

I hate pink and just because I'm having a girl doesn't mean I want to dress her in tutus, wild hot pink bows and ballet shit. Stop only selling frilly pink girl gear, all the stores! 

I have a friend that hates pink and had a little girl in February. She told people not to buy the baby anything pink because she wouldn't put her in it. Well last week she said to me, "you wouldn't believe how much pink she has and actually wears!"

Not saying that you'll do the same, but your UO just reminded me of her:)

shortstuff15

KEfam5 said:

BMReid said:

I might get it from some STMs for this one, but it really grinds my gears when people refer to children over a year old in months. 20 months? Just say a year and 8 months, for Pete's sake!

I agree with this, starting after 18 months.

After 12 months I start to loose count.  Usually after that it's a year, then a year and a half, then 2 years....etc, etc.  I don't even know how many months my oldest is.  She's 3 1/2. 

Arrgcr

I don't like summer. Or really any season besides fall.

kilbs

This is probably flame worthy, but this time around, I really dislike being pregnant.  I am excited for the baby, just tired of feeling like crap.  As I said in another post, I really wish I could hibernate until mid January.

sugarland726

Up to 18 months is definitely appropriate. Kids change so much from month to month. I don't side eye any parents up to 24 months. After that I just say "DD will be 3.5 in January, or DD just turned 3 in July." Whichever is closer.

1017Shannon

kilbs said:

This is probably flame worthy, but this time around, I really dislike being pregnant.  I am excited for the baby, just tired of feeling like crap.  As I said in another post, I really wish I could hibernate until mid January.

I completely dislike being pregnant too! Which disappoints me because I would live a third (this is my second) but I dislike pregnancy so much I think I am going to stick with my too baby boys!! Good luck to you!

sugarland726

juliasmama2010 said:

I think the car seat regulations are bogus.  Back in my day (HAHA!), I sat on the floor in the backseat.  I also sat in between my Grandma and Great Grandma in the car and had two elbows for a seat belt (I think I was 3 or 4).  My 7 year old nephew weighs 80 pounds and I can't even imagine him in a booster seat.

We're doing this one again? Just because you sat on the backseat and didn't die doesn't mean many other children weren't injured or killed. More children die or are injured now in car wrecks. Safety regulations are bogus? Your nephew may be 80 pounds, but he isn't the same weight or height as an adult, which is who the seat belts are made for. That's why he needs a booster, to make a seat belt safer for him. As I said last week, car seat safety is my hill to die on.

SunflowersBride

ccip82 said:

My UO...

I recently read a news article where fast food workers are going on strike for a raise and they want $15 an hour-which equates to $31,000 a year. As a former teacher, my starting off salary was not that much more than that and I find it effing ridiculous.

Especially when majority of the time my order is somehow fucked up anyway...

Before I sound like a heartless bitch, yes the minimum raise should be raised- but honestly there are many professions that are grossly underpaid that deserve more attention...

I don't disagree with you, but here's the problem.  These workers for the most part don't make enough money to live on.  Therefore, they aren't contributing to keeping the economy going, since over 70% of the GDP is related to consumer spending.  Not only that, but they are often utilizing food stamps, Medicaid, and other government programs because their incomes are so low and they don't receive benefits.  So, in essence we are all paying to supplement these workers because the companies don't want to give them a decent salary.  I also did not start off making anywhere close to $31k when I graduated college, but these people will be languishing at this salary for their entire lives, while most of us will at least have the opportunity to advance and make more money.

Firefly9

FSUNole31 said:

BMReid said:

I might get it from some STMs for this one, but it really grinds my gears when people refer to children over a year old in months. 20 months? Just say a year and 8 months, for Pete's sake!

I can handle it up until 24 months...but I have a fb friend who posts captions on her picture saying "so and so at 35 months".  That is a bit much.

I agree that up until 24 months is fine.  I did start saying at 22 or 23 months, "He'll be two in June," though.  Now, I say, "He turned two in June."  Closer to 2.5, I'll say he's almost 2.5.

A FB friend of mine posts a weekly photo album of her little girl.  "Daughter at 42 weeks."  Past 3 months or so is too long to refer to weeks, if you ask me!

twobluelines

sugarland726 said:

juliasmama2010 said:

I think the car seat regulations are bogus.  Back in my day (HAHA!), I sat on the floor in the backseat.  I also sat in between my Grandma and Great Grandma in the car and had two elbows for a seat belt (I think I was 3 or 4).  My 7 year old nephew weighs 80 pounds and I can't even imagine him in a booster seat.

We're doing this one again? Just because you sat on the backseat and didn't die doesn't mean many other children weren't injured or killed. More children than die or are injured now in car wrecks. Safety regulations are bogus? Your nephew may be 80 pounds, but he isn't the same weight or height as an adult, which is who the seat belts are made for. That's why he needs a booster, to make a seat belt safer for him. As I said last week, car seat safety is my hill to die on.

=D> ^:)^

purplepenguin2011

BuckeyeMommy4 said:

I hate pink and just because I'm having a girl doesn't mean I want to dress her in tutus, wild hot pink bows and ballet shit. Stop only selling frilly pink girl gear, all the stores! 

I have a friend that hates pink and had a little girl in February. She told people not to buy the baby anything pink because she wouldn't put her in it. Well last week she said to me, "you wouldn't believe how much pink she has and actually wears!" Not saying that you'll do the same, but your UO just reminded me of her:)

I'm not a huge pink person either, but you might want a little bit as your daughter gets older just to let her make her own opinions about the color pink

ScarlettDahlia

FSUNole31 said:

BMReid said:

I might get it from some STMs for this one, but it really grinds my gears when people refer to children over a year old in months. 20 months? Just say a year and 8 months, for Pete's sake!

I can handle it up until 24 months...but I have a fb friend who posts captions on her picture saying "so and so at 35 months".  That is a bit much.

This reminds me of Grown Ups when the one lady is still BFing and they ask how old he is and the dad replies with something like 48 months. You mean 4?

Firefly9

KaitiMac said:

ccip82 said:

My UO...

I recently read a news article where fast food workers are going on strike for a raise and they want $15 an hour-which equates to $31,000 a year. As a former teacher, my starting off salary was not that much more than that and I find it effing ridiculous.

Especially when majority of the time my order is somehow fucked up anyway...

Before, I sound like a heartless bitch, yes the minimum raise should be raised, but honestly there are many professions that are grossly underpaid...

Seriously. I've got a Master's degree and I don't even make $31K a year. I'm cool with raising the minimum wage a bit, but $15 an hour is outrageous. 

Same.  A fast food worker shouldn't make as much as a more professional job.  A reasonable living wage, yes.  But really, I don't make a ton more than that.  I probably get better benefits than a fast food worker would, but I think $15/hr is a little much for that particular job.

ScarlettDahlia

cpm1223 said:

BMReid said:

I might get it from some STMs for this one, but it really grinds my gears when people refer to children over a year old in months. 20 months? Just say a year and 8 months, for Pete's sake!

Lol that bugs me too. It also reminds me of the movie Grown Ups when the kid is bfing and they ask how old he is. Then the parents say "48 months" lol so, 4 years old?

Ha! I should have read the replies before posting! 

sugarland726

Firefly9 said:

A FB friend of mine posts a weekly photo album of her little girl.  "Daughter at 42 weeks."  Past 3 months or so is too long to refer to weeks, if you ask me!

And on that note, when you are talking about your children's age after birth, 4 weeks =/= one month. For example, Prince George of Will and Kate was born July 22. He was 4 weeks old August 19th. He was one month old on August 22nd. If you count weeks as months, the calendar year will only be 48 weeks when it is, in fact, 52. Just a little PSA so you don't look like an idiot.

LatteLady5

sugarland726 said:

juliasmama2010 said:

I think the car seat regulations are bogus.  Back in my day (HAHA!), I sat on the floor in the backseat.  I also sat in between my Grandma and Great Grandma in the car and had two elbows for a seat belt (I think I was 3 or 4).  My 7 year old nephew weighs 80 pounds and I can't even imagine him in a booster seat.

We're doing this one again? Just because you sat on the backseat and didn't die doesn't mean many other children weren't injured or killed. More children than die or are injured now in car wrecks. Safety regulations are bogus? Your nephew may be 80 pounds, but he isn't the same weight or height as an adult, which is who the seat belts are made for. That's why he needs a booster, to make a seat belt safer for him. As I said last week, car seat safety is my hill to die on.

This kind of ignorance drives me nuts. There are PLENTY of things that didn't kill me as a kid that I sure don't want my daughter experiencing. Anyone who has done even an inkling of research will know this is a very dangerous opinion @juliasmommy2010.  When I was a kid there wasn't as much research. Know, we know more so we do more. It's absolutely infuriating to me when parents think like this and even more so when they spread these thoughts to others.

juliasmama2010

sugarland726 said:

juliasmama2010 said:

I think the car seat regulations are bogus.  Back in my day (HAHA!), I sat on the floor in the backseat.  I also sat in between my Grandma and Great Grandma in the car and had two elbows for a seat belt (I think I was 3 or 4).  My 7 year old nephew weighs 80 pounds and I can't even imagine him in a booster seat.

We're doing this one again? Just because you sat on the backseat and didn't die doesn't mean many other children weren't injured or killed. More children die or are injured now in car wrecks. Safety regulations are bogus? Your nephew may be 80 pounds, but he isn't the same weight or height as an adult, which is who the seat belts are made for. That's why he needs a booster, to make a seat belt safer for him. As I said last week, car seat safety is my hill to die on.

Guess I should've saved this for the FFFC.  I wasn't looking to start a fight, just stating my Unpopular Opinion

And for the record, I never said I wouldn't FOLLOW the guidelines, just said I didn't agree with them.

ccip82

SunflowersBride said:

ccip82 said:

My UO...

I recently read a news article where fast food workers are going on strike for a raise and they want $15 an hour-which equates to $31,000 a year. As a former teacher, my starting off salary was not that much more than that and I find it effing ridiculous.

Especially when majority of the time my order is somehow fucked up anyway...

Before I sound like a heartless bitch, yes the minimum raise should be raised- but honestly there are many professions that are grossly underpaid that deserve more attention...

I don't disagree with you, but here's the problem.  These workers for the most part don't make enough money to live on.  Therefore, they aren't contributing to keeping the economy going, since over 70% of the GDP is related to consumer spending.  Not only that, but they are often utilizing food stamps, Medicaid, and other government programs because their incomes are so low and they don't receive benefits.  So, in essence we are all paying to supplement these workers because the companies don't want to give them a decent salary.  I also did not start off making anywhere close to $31k when I graduated college, but these people will be languishing at this salary for their entire lives, while most of us will at least have the opportunity to advance and make more money.

You brought up very valid points and I agree with them. I think the minimum wage should be raised, but I still think that expecting a job that requires little to no specialty skill should not  start out making $15 an hour. Unfortunately, (and I think this could be a whole other post topic) the cost of living has increased exponentially while the average salaries for many jobs remain stagnant.

BuckeyeMommy4

I'm not going to try to do a quote tree because it won't work.

@ccip82 & @SunflowersBride I agree with both of you.

For them to go on strike is pointless. They agreed to the wages, even of they are too small, when they got the job. If they aren't being paid minimum wage, it should be corrected. I'm sure those workers (who are making $0 while on strike) can be easily replaced.

Nobody can live on minimum wage, but to demand $15 an hour is a bit ridiculous. There are a lot of college educated people not starting out at that. Also, once minimum wage is increased, so is the price of everything else. Then we're right back where we started.

sugarland726

juliasmama2010 said:

sugarland726 said:

juliasmama2010 said:

I think the car seat regulations are bogus.  Back in my day (HAHA!), I sat on the floor in the backseat.  I also sat in between my Grandma and Great Grandma in the car and had two elbows for a seat belt (I think I was 3 or 4).  My 7 year old nephew weighs 80 pounds and I can't even imagine him in a booster seat.

We're doing this one again? Just because you sat on the backseat and didn't die doesn't mean many other children weren't injured or killed. More children die or are injured now in car wrecks. Safety regulations are bogus? Your nephew may be 80 pounds, but he isn't the same weight or height as an adult, which is who the seat belts are made for. That's why he needs a booster, to make a seat belt safer for him. As I said last week, car seat safety is my hill to die on.

Guess I should've saved this for the FFFC.  I wasn't looking to start a fight, just stating my Unpopular Opinion

And for the record, I never said I wouldn't FOLLOW the guidelines, just said I didn't agree with them.

You can say it any day of the week and in any thread you want. Wouldn't have changed my answer one iota. I'm glad to hear you plan on following the laws for your LO. But again, my answer pertains to you not agreeing with them. I don't understand anyone who uses that logic and doesn't understand the value in car seat regulations.

LatteLady5

juliasmama2010 said:

sugarland726 said:

juliasmama2010 said:

I think the car seat regulations are bogus.  Back in my day (HAHA!), I sat on the floor in the backseat.  I also sat in between my Grandma and Great Grandma in the car and had two elbows for a seat belt (I think I was 3 or 4).  My 7 year old nephew weighs 80 pounds and I can't even imagine him in a booster seat.

We're doing this one again? Just because you sat on the backseat and didn't die doesn't mean many other children weren't injured or killed. More children die or are injured now in car wrecks. Safety regulations are bogus? Your nephew may be 80 pounds, but he isn't the same weight or height as an adult, which is who the seat belts are made for. That's why he needs a booster, to make a seat belt safer for him. As I said last week, car seat safety is my hill to die on.

Guess I should've saved this for the FFFC.  I wasn't looking to start a fight, just stating my Unpopular Opinion

And for the record, I never said I wouldn't FOLLOW the guidelines, just said I didn't agree with them.

juliasmama2010

ccip82

sugarland726 said:

juliasmama2010 said:

sugarland726 said:

juliasmama2010 said:

I think the car seat regulations are bogus.  Back in my day (HAHA!), I sat on the floor in the backseat.  I also sat in between my Grandma and Great Grandma in the car and had two elbows for a seat belt (I think I was 3 or 4).  My 7 year old nephew weighs 80 pounds and I can't even imagine him in a booster seat.

We're doing this one again? Just because you sat on the backseat and didn't die doesn't mean many other children weren't injured or killed. More children die or are injured now in car wrecks. Safety regulations are bogus? Your nephew may be 80 pounds, but he isn't the same weight or height as an adult, which is who the seat belts are made for. That's why he needs a booster, to make a seat belt safer for him. As I said last week, car seat safety is my hill to die on.

Guess I should've saved this for the FFFC.  I wasn't looking to start a fight, just stating my Unpopular Opinion

And for the record, I never said I wouldn't FOLLOW the guidelines, just said I didn't agree with them.

You can say it any day of the week and in any thread you want. Wouldn't have changed my answer one iota. I'm glad to hear you plan on following the laws for your LO. But again, my answer pertains to you not agreeing with them. I don't understand anyone who uses that logic and doesn't understand the value in car seat regulations.

@sugarland726

I have missed you... :x

KristaBelieve

Cheery, "seize the day", "early bid gets the worm" and talkative morning type people annoy me! Do I like mornings? No! Do I need to get up for work and other responsibilities? Yes. Will I get up at all hour to take care of my child? Yes! I'm a night person and do I text people past midnight? No! So why are people texting me at god knows what time in the morning?! And why don't people get conversations should be reserved for after my morning coffee? Is that too much to ask? My ILs are the worst... Up everyday at 4:30 am for no good reason. They don't farm, don't need to be up for work, they "just wake up to take on the day!" ugg! When we visit I feel judged if I'm not "up an' at 'um" at their acceptable wake up time. Thank god my DH and I are compatible since I'm such a morning grinch!

wedbliss5

ccip82 said:

SunflowersBride said:

ccip82 said:

My UO...

I recently read a news article where fast food workers are going on strike for a raise and they want $15 an hour-which equates to $31,000 a year. As a former teacher, my starting off salary was not that much more than that and I find it effing ridiculous.

Especially when majority of the time my order is somehow fucked up anyway...

Before I sound like a heartless bitch, yes the minimum raise should be raised- but honestly there are many professions that are grossly underpaid that deserve more attention...

I don't disagree with you, but here's the problem.  These workers for the most part don't make enough money to live on.  Therefore, they aren't contributing to keeping the economy going, since over 70% of the GDP is related to consumer spending.  Not only that, but they are often utilizing food stamps, Medicaid, and other government programs because their incomes are so low and they don't receive benefits.  So, in essence we are all paying to supplement these workers because the companies don't want to give them a decent salary.  I also did not start off making anywhere close to $31k when I graduated college, but these people will be languishing at this salary for their entire lives, while most of us will at least have the opportunity to advance and make more money.

You brought up very valid points and I agree with them. I think the minimum wage should be raised, but I still think that expecting a job that requires little to no specialty skill should not  start out making $15 an hour. Unfortunately, (and I think this could be a whole other post topic) the cost of living has increased exponentially while the average salaries for many jobs remain stagnant.

And furthermore, working at a fast food counter is NOT meant to be a career.  Do you really think a job that is usually filled with high school and college kids should be paying $15 an hour?  I worked my ass off in college to get to where I am now, and no, my parents didn't pay for my college or help me much finacially because they couldn't afford to.  And as pp said, my orders are not always right so why pay mediocre employees a butt load of money to contiue to screw up on the job?  These pissed-off workers should concentrate on doing their best to move up the chain where they work, where they WILL get paid more.

On a slightly different note, if the point of the strike is to push their employers to then push government to increase minimage wage, THAT I'm ok with.  I think we all know that minimum wage is currently a joke and I would bet corporate McDonalds would have a much bigger impact than a handful of fastfood works when it comes to pushing that issue. 

twobluelines

BuckeyeMommy4 said:

I'm not going to try to do a quote tree because it won't work. @ccip82 & @SunflowersBride I agree with both of you. For them to go on strike is pointless. They agreed to the wages, even of they are too small, when they got the job. If they aren't being paid minimum wage, it should be corrected. I'm sure those workers (who are making $0 while on strike) can be easily replaced. Nobody can live on minimum wage, but to demand $15 an hour is a bit ridiculous. There are a lot of college educated people not starting out at that. Also, once minimum wage is increased, so is the price of everything else. Then we're right back where we started.

I don't know about this last part.  When you read that an average Walmart costs the US government something like $900,000 per year in providing social programs for their staff like medicaid and food stamps and yet during this time the 6 people who own WalMart have the combined wealth of 40% of Americans it seems to me that there's lots of money to go around. 

SunflowersBride

ccip82 said:

SunflowersBride said:

ccip82 said:

My UO...

I recently read a news article where fast food workers are going on strike for a raise and they want $15 an hour-which equates to $31,000 a year. As a former teacher, my starting off salary was not that much more than that and I find it effing ridiculous.

Especially when majority of the time my order is somehow fucked up anyway...

Before I sound like a heartless bitch, yes the minimum raise should be raised- but honestly there are many professions that are grossly underpaid that deserve more attention...

I don't disagree with you, but here's the problem.  These workers for the most part don't make enough money to live on.  Therefore, they aren't contributing to keeping the economy going, since over 70% of the GDP is related to consumer spending.  Not only that, but they are often utilizing food stamps, Medicaid, and other government programs because their incomes are so low and they don't receive benefits.  So, in essence we are all paying to supplement these workers because the companies don't want to give them a decent salary.  I also did not start off making anywhere close to $31k when I graduated college, but these people will be languishing at this salary for their entire lives, while most of us will at least have the opportunity to advance and make more money.

You brought up very valid points and I agree with them. I think the minimum wage should be raised, but I still think that expecting a job that requires little to no specialty skill should not  start out making $15 an hour. Unfortunately, (and I think this could be a whole other post topic) the cost of living has increased exponentially while the average salaries for many jobs remain stagnant.

Definitely agree on the cost of living.  In the past decade, wages have actually decreased adjusted for inflation, while the cost of living continues to go up.  The other thing is I feel like these unskilled workers don't have many options.  In the past, these workers may have had a decent unionized factory job that provided benefits and a pension, and the skills required could be taught on the job.  Now there just isn't much out there for someone who maybe didn't finish high school and doesn't have a whole host of skills. 

purplepenguin2011

So this seems very trivial compared to what others have brought up, but as i was buttering my zucchini bread at work, i realized that the butter container should not say spreadable if it is not.  It was ripping my bread apart!  I just want to butter my bread and keep it intact.  is that so much to ask for?

LatteLady5

KristaBelieve said:

Cheery, "seize the day", "early bid gets the worm" and talkative morning type people annoy me! Do I like mornings? No! Do I need to get up for work and other responsibilities? Yes. Will I get up at all hour to take care of my child? Yes! I'm a night person and do I text people past midnight? No! So why are people texting me at god knows what time in the morning?! And why don't people get conversations should be reserved for after my morning coffee? Is that too much to ask? My ILs are the worst... Up everyday at 4:30 am for no good reason. They don't farm, don't need to be up for work, they "just wake up to take on the day!" ugg! When we visit I feel judged if I'm not "up an' at 'um" at their acceptable wake up time. Thank god my DH and I are compatible since I'm such a morning grinch!

This was my morning nurse with DD. She is SUCH a nice lady but after being up all night with contractions and finally falling asleep "Gooooddd Morning!" before 7am was not what I wanted to hear haha.

SunflowersBride

twobluelines said:

BuckeyeMommy4 said:

I'm not going to try to do a quote tree because it won't work. @ccip82 & @SunflowersBride I agree with both of you. For them to go on strike is pointless. They agreed to the wages, even of they are too small, when they got the job. If they aren't being paid minimum wage, it should be corrected. I'm sure those workers (who are making $0 while on strike) can be easily replaced. Nobody can live on minimum wage, but to demand $15 an hour is a bit ridiculous. There are a lot of college educated people not starting out at that. Also, once minimum wage is increased, so is the price of everything else. Then we're right back where we started.

I don't know about this last part.  When you read that an average Walmart costs the US government something like $900,000 per year in providing social programs for their staff like medicaid and food stamps and yet during this time the 6 people who own WalMart have the combined wealth of 40% of Americans it seems to me that there's lots of money to go around. 

Yup, and combine that with the obscene tax breaks that the government gives to Walmart, and then they turn around and call people utilizing the benefits a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings just trying to live off the government dole.  It's pretty laughable.

Winnieella

SunflowersBride said:

ccip82 said:

SunflowersBride said:

ccip82 said:

My UO...

I recently read a news article where fast food workers are going on strike for a raise and they want $15 an hour-which equates to $31,000 a year. As a former teacher, my starting off salary was not that much more than that and I find it effing ridiculous.

Especially when majority of the time my order is somehow fucked up anyway...

Before I sound like a heartless bitch, yes the minimum raise should be raised- but honestly there are many professions that are grossly underpaid that deserve more attention...

I don't disagree with you, but here's the problem.  These workers for the most part don't make enough money to live on.  Therefore, they aren't contributing to keeping the economy going, since over 70% of the GDP is related to consumer spending.  Not only that, but they are often utilizing food stamps, Medicaid, and other government programs because their incomes are so low and they don't receive benefits.  So, in essence we are all paying to supplement these workers because the companies don't want to give them a decent salary.  I also did not start off making anywhere close to $31k when I graduated college, but these people will be languishing at this salary for their entire lives, while most of us will at least have the opportunity to advance and make more money.

You brought up very valid points and I agree with them. I think the minimum wage should be raised, but I still think that expecting a job that requires little to no specialty skill should not  start out making $15 an hour. Unfortunately, (and I think this could be a whole other post topic) the cost of living has increased exponentially while the average salaries for many jobs remain stagnant.




Definitely agree on the cost of living.  In the past decade, wages have actually decreased adjusted for inflation, while the cost of living continues to go up.  The other thing is I feel like these unskilled workers don't have many options.  In the past, these workers may have had a decent unionized factory job that provided benefits and a pension, and the skills required could be taught on the job.  Now there just isn't much out there for someone who maybe didn't finish high school and doesn't have a whole host of skills. 

I agree that minimum wage needs to go up. I also think we need to adjust the cost of living. My starting rate as a teacher was 23,000 a year. And its hard to get that to go up. I do think we need to redo something with our economy.

twobluelines

MrsJWoodJr said:

ccip82 said:

SunflowersBride said:

ccip82 said:

My UO...

I recently read a news article where fast food workers are going on strike for a raise and they want $15 an hour-which equates to $31,000 a year. As a former teacher, my starting off salary was not that much more than that and I find it effing ridiculous.

Especially when majority of the time my order is somehow fucked up anyway...

Before I sound like a heartless bitch, yes the minimum raise should be raised- but honestly there are many professions that are grossly underpaid that deserve more attention...

I don't disagree with you, but here's the problem.  These workers for the most part don't make enough money to live on.  Therefore, they aren't contributing to keeping the economy going, since over 70% of the GDP is related to consumer spending.  Not only that, but they are often utilizing food stamps, Medicaid, and other government programs because their incomes are so low and they don't receive benefits.  So, in essence we are all paying to supplement these workers because the companies don't want to give them a decent salary.  I also did not start off making anywhere close to $31k when I graduated college, but these people will be languishing at this salary for their entire lives, while most of us will at least have the opportunity to advance and make more money.

You brought up very valid points and I agree with them. I think the minimum wage should be raised, but I still think that expecting a job that requires little to no specialty skill should not  start out making $15 an hour. Unfortunately, (and I think this could be a whole other post topic) the cost of living has increased exponentially while the average salaries for many jobs remain stagnant.

Definitely agree on the cost of living.  In the past decade, wages have actually decreased adjusted for inflation, while the cost of living continues to go up.  The other thing is I feel like these unskilled workers don't have many options.  In the past, these workers may have had a decent unionized factory job that provided benefits and a pension, and the skills required could be taught on the job.  Now there just isn't much out there for someone who maybe didn't finish high school and doesn't have a whole host of skills. 

I agree that minimum wage needs to go up. I also think we need to adjust the cost of living. My starting rate as a teacher was 23,000 a year. And its hard to get that to go up. I do think we need to redo something with our economy.

The other thing that should be brought up is that a large number of people who are working in fast food and service industry jobs often have completed university... but there is an inflation of credentials out there that is insane.  At my last job our starting position (essentially a receptionist) required a minimum of 1 MSc, many of the girls working that job actually had 2.  They answered the phone, sent emails, photocopied and collated, planned meetings.  Insanity.  Nothing that required a Master's degree education to complete.  But they could get away with it because there aren't enough jobs and photocopying is a hell of a lot better than standing on your feet all day steaming milk.  +

BuckeyeMommy4

SunflowersBride said:

twobluelines said:

BuckeyeMommy4 said:

I'm not going to try to do a quote tree because it won't work.

@ccip82 & @SunflowersBride I agree with both of you.

For them to go on strike is pointless. They agreed to the wages, even of they are too small, when they got the job. If they aren't being paid minimum wage, it should be corrected. I'm sure those workers (who are making $0 while on strike) can be easily replaced.

Nobody can live on minimum wage, but to demand $15 an hour is a bit ridiculous. There are a lot of college educated people not starting out at that. Also, once minimum wage is increased, so is the price of everything else. Then we're right back where we started.

I don't know about this last part.  When you read that an average Walmart costs the US government something like $900,000 per year in providing social programs for their staff like medicaid and food stamps and yet during this time the 6 people who own WalMart have the combined wealth of 40% of Americans it seems to me that there's lots of money to go around. 

Yup, and combine that with the obscene tax breaks that the government gives to Walmart, and then they turn around and call people utilizing the benefits a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings just trying to live off the government dole.  It's pretty laughable.

I don't know what the answer is. The current plan isn't working. I still think that once minimum wage is raised a dollar or two, companies aren't going to want it to change the way they operate and their CEOs aren't going to want to take the pay cut, so they're just going to raise their prices again.

It's just a never ending cycle.

litzo27

My UO is that in the US too many people go to college, and specifically incur debt to go to college. Oh and I think at least the last year of high-school should be optional and kid should be able to opt out of it and enroll in technical/vocational 1-2 year schools instead.