Comment Re:Minimum Wage (Score 1) 1094
Seems this entire story is full of people who think that this is capitalism. For the average american, working harder doesn't get you more money. For the "above average" american, working isn't necessary to make money....at all - it just happens. That is only going exaggerate itself over time because we can't (and, by definition, wouldn't) legislate away GREED.
In an ideal world, companies who what 100% of a person's time and dedication should pay for it. That's complicated by rising efficiency, automation, shareholders who want "their cut", and god-knows-what-else piled-on to devalue the time of an individual who just wants to provide for a family. Every job needs to be done, be it pulling teeth or cleaning floors. Reducing that need to a dollar value based on the going rate for a job lacks empathy - and it's out of control - someday it will be a revolt. Just because there are 2 or 2 million others willing to take less money doesn't mean that it's right/ethical. Every head is deserving of a living wage.
To address problem A/B more succinctly: If a company can't afford to provide a living wage to everyone who works there, IT's DONE GROWING. Those who are unemployed can start another company and go after the part of the market that you cannot (or, for sake of maintaining profits, will not) serve. The focus on short-term profits is just like cancer: unrestrained growth, for growth's sake. (At that point, you can boost productivity w/automation, but that's a considerable investment, also.)