The Looting Wage

On November 6, 2008, Freedom Party leader Paul McKeever was a panelist on the Crossroad's Television (CTS) program "On the Line" with host Christine Williams.

In this segment, the panel discusses the "living wage" arrangements of some US and Canadian cities. Such cities are setting pay schedules at over 100% of the so-called "minimum wage". The effects include such things as less out-sourcing to private companies, which results in higher wages and job security for unionized government employees.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Ayn
• Rand
• Objectivism
• looters
• living
• wage
• wealth
• redistribution
• need
• welfare

[PortfolioManager1987]

Holy cow these are enormously high minimum wages! Almost $17 in Vancouver!

The host is cute - and smart!

Good going Paul, I remember a video where you went to a UV-type bath-massage parlour - when are we going to get a video of you at a barber shop getting a straight razor shave? Hehe

I'll have to watch your fractional reserve video now, 40minutes! AH! Expect a response!

[PaulMcKeever]

Looking forward to it.

Hey, straight-razor: that could be fun.

[apluce21]

Paul, everything you said was right but you should be more selective about the people you sit down with.

[PaulMcKeever]

Now now apluce21.

[PaulMcKeever]

Thanks all.

[yammyspeed13]

raise the living wage to $50.00 and hour and we'll all be rich.

[NotThat3]

"No one should be forced to work to earn a living, right? Wrong." - By that I mean that people should not get something for nothing of course. I have no problem with someone choosing not to earn a living, so long as he himself suffers the consequences of his choice.

[picapauengracado]

Whose going to absorb the increased demand for jobs resulting from the higher pay scales? Is this about some govt program that covers the difference between the natural and some fiat wage, out of taxes, or is this another proposal for a minimum wage increase? If the latter, simple economics tell us it can only result in increased unemployment and degrading working conditions. Similar to what you find when you artificially lower the rent of buildings.

[dduppie]

Wow it's so unusual and refreshing to see a who host who doesn't use anti-freedom strawman arguments.

[supressorgrid]

Why not make minimum wage 50 dollars an hour? Or 100? Then the govt can tax the workers at 80%. With this vast amount of tax money, govt. can then subsidise the companies paying these wages to encourage them to stay. Set the price on goods made at ten times the value of said goods, set a sales tax at 50% use the revenue to subsidise people who buy these products. Why thanks to the government, we can all be millionairs!

[richardcadbury]

4:20

All employers have to pay single moms more than married parents even if they are equally good at their job.

I can think of no better way of keeping single moms out of work.

[kosmickosmo]

most people only work a minimum wage job when they are starting in the work force if you pay attention to who is middle aged and still working for min wage chances are it is someone who never had any ambition or goals all they cared about is what is the least i have to do today lets face it if you want to make more than min wage the work is there and no it doesnt take a college degree to EARN a good living. i am sick of people with no ambition always thinking that they are entitled to b equal

[justinwlaurab]

McKeever rocks!

[maskedphrogg]

Don't we all know which road it is that is paved with "good intentions?"

Unintended consequences. Is that how you dismiss the implications of a guaranteed wage that exceeds the value of the labour it is exchanged for? That is what a minimum wage is. It's a floor for All wages. Your support of a minimum wage ENSURES a ready and growing class of "weak and misfortuned."

I'd say that makes you their economic enemy no matter how you classify your "intent."

[maskedphrogg]

How about I want to ensure my neighbor eats 3 squares a day after I'm gone?

It would behoove me to teach him how to provide for his own needs. That is the basis of true charity. Enabling one to provide for themselves.

Which is exactly why it IS immoral to confiscate from one to give to another. Transfer of wealth is just what it sounds like. Theft.

[UcanbeGOD]

I agree with that lady who argues that everyone should have a roof over their heads. Its great to be charitable but I have seen first hand parents who give to their children and those children NEVER learn how to function on their own. You simply cannot force people to give up their money or services and stand on moral ground. Some significant portion of the time you are hurting the person who is supposed to benefit most, the less fortunate. People love to give up freedom for a mommy Gov!