----- Original Message ----- From: "Gautam Mukunda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 5:13 PM Subject: Re: Br!n: some thoughts and quotes.
> --- Dan Minette <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >> Oh, one might argue that the fraction of Americans > > in the workforce should > > be factored in. Doing so, reduces this effect, we > > see it fall by about 53% > > instead of 60%. > > > > Dan M. > > Well, I would argue that we should factor in the > changing nature of who is _receiving_ the minimum > wage, but since I've already stated my support for > raising it, I'm not sure why you're belaboring this point... Because, doing this doesn't just affect those receiving the minimum wage. It affects all those making less than what the minimum wage would be if it grew in proportion to either inflation or the per capita GDP. I'm just pointing out that the floor has dropped quite a bit over the last 35 or so years....even with the great increase in productivity. There is certainly more money to be made...but it has not translated into mean earnings. Productivity has increased tremendously between '78 and '00, but the mean salary of a full time worker only increased by ~ 2% (according to the census bureau). The increase in jobs has slowed down tremendously. Look at the time since the official end of the last recession. According to sources that include Greenspan, productivity has increased close to 12% from the 4th quarter of 2001 through the 2nd quarter of 2004. Yet, job growth was minimal during that time from. My point is not that I'm trying to fight you on increasing the minimum wage. Its that we need to consider the effects of the lowering of the floor on workers making more than $5.15/hour. We also need to determine why the job growth since the mid-70s has slowed so much, even though the productivity growth has been about the same as between 1960-75. Oh, and a study that was paid for by Wal-Mart said this that 90% of Wal-Mart employees had insurance _from some source_. That included insurance that is provided by spouses, parents, & insurance that came with retirement, etc. I think Wal-Mart does better than a lot of places with respect to insurance for its employees, but I think someone put a bit of spin on the 90% figure. Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
