Depressing Factoid

[papercuppie]

The last time the Federal minimum wage was raised was right before I got my first job-- which paid the minimum wage-- in 1997

Comments

[nofcna]

wow -- just wow.

My mom used to encourage me to stay in school and get good grades so I wouldn't get paid minimum wage when I get older. I think it worked.

I have to say, I've never gotten a job before that pays minimum wage, even in high school. And I've never paid more than $500 for rent before until a year and some change ago. The rent thing is just luck because of generous friends, but I just can't imagine minimum wage would get anyone anywhere.

yeah, with taxes, a McDonald's meal is over that wage now.

[papercuppie]

I did my three months at minimum wage at CVS -- my most miserable working experience, and also my first. I've never hesitated to quit a job that didn't fit me, and hoo-boy did that one ever NOT fit.
The best advice my mother ever gave me was "Shannon, don't have kids young." That's the thing I see pinching so many people -- a lot of the girls I went to high school with had kids before or just following graduation, and it killed their life plans. One of my friends has managed to get herself where she wants to be despite becoming a mom at 19, but that's because she's incredibly strong-willed. Most girls I know couldn't have done that.

[nofcna]

yes! best advice ever

[papercuppie]

I know my county had free health clinics (well, free if your income was low enough)... several friends of mine in high school were on BC for free. I think the programs don't get publicized enough, though.

[translucent_eye]

Most people have covered my thoughts pretty well - but you are exactly right. It is not the high school/college kids that you have to worry about but rather the guy or girl that worked at the 7-11 when you are a kid, and still works there now. Well - you have to worry about them, and the life they are able to provide for the people they support

[papercuppie]

Another thing I think is a problem is that a lot of *legal* immigrants are daunted by the bureaucracy here, and get scared off of doing things like starting their own businesses. My dad follows DC entertainment law (he's a musician), and he told me about a case in which the Mt. Pleasant (or was it Mt. Ranier?) citizen's association was frightening the mostly-immigrant bar and restaurant owners in the area out of having live music. Dad said a lot of the business owners caved because they didn't want to be entangled in the legal system. Then again, I'll bet a lot of non-immigrant business owners would have done the same.

[translucent_eye]

Hmmm....I live in Mount Pleasant, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was in regards to what happened last year. Mount Pleasant is one of the few areas in D.C. that actually has Historic Status, and because of it there are lots of limitations on houses, businesses, etc

[papercuppie]

My dad plays in a country-western band (think Bob Wills style) and backs a sixties girl-group.
I think you are remembering the same event as me -- my dad told me DC was trying to pass a law requiring any establishment with live music or dj'ed dancing to get a nightclub liquor license instead of a restaurant license. That would essentially mean that those little places in Mount Pleasant would have to shell out the same kind of cash as Nation and the Edge do for their liquor licenses. I think it failed, but these things always rear their heads again.

[fractalwoman]

I think my favorite quote to this effect, from a friend, went something like:

"Don't get angry at me because of your career choices."

Right.....

[slondfw]

You say PSA, I think "prostate."

Odd.