Democrats Don't Have to Own the Consequences of $20 Minimum Wage

Even though the reality is that it's mostly the Democrats who hold most of the wealth, they are always trying to paint themselves as "for the working class." When it comes to the $20 an hour wage hike in California for fast food workers with some exceptions, of course all of the things we said would happen are happening.

Layoffs, reduced hours, and price increases.

There's a reality in all of this, as there always is, that you simply can't get blood out of a stone, the money is not there that everyone believes is, and you can't just make up a number and say, "Everyone can afford to pay that."

It's just not how it works in the real world. In order to determine an appropriate wage, you must first evaluate the books to see if you can afford it.

Most of the time when it comes to the majority of things Democrats do, I tend to believe they simply want what they want, and they don't think things through. They never consider the consequences of what they do or evaluate the impact. In this case, I am inclined to wonder, "Are they doing this quite on purpose. Is it part of a larger picture strategy?"

The Democrats want you to hate the rich. They want you to think that these companies and business owners only care about their bottom lines and themselves and couldn't care less about their workers on the front lines.

As people are laid off, hours are cut and prices rise, the Democrats can go before the American people and proclaim, "We've got your back, and look at what they do in response? They don't care about you." In other words, even though to any thinking person the blame lands squarely on the Democrats who raised the wage to cause the problems, they can pretend it's all the mean, greedy corporation's fault.

The Democrats can simply wave their magic wand and whatever happens, they don't have to own it. Just like they mostly did with regard to inflation. "It's not our fault. These businesses are simply gouging you, and that's why prices are higher."

It's those evil rich that are at it again, taking your money and exploiting their workers for their own gain.

It's patently untrue. We, on the conservative side, know it. But there are a good many people who will fall for the narrative and completely believe it and that is what the Democrats are banking on. When someone gets laid off or has their hours cut due to the $20 an hour wage hike, who will they blame? Gavin Newsom? Or the business owner?

Most likely they are going to blame the business owner. The Democrats get to look like they are doing all the right things and when things don't happen as expected, they can blame someone else for what happens.

Everyone wants people to make more money and have more opportunities. The difference lies in how we accomplish that best. Because the commonsense thing is that in order for people to really realize these opportunities, it has to be a win, win situation. If the businesses are the source of the opportunity, and they are, then their health and well-being is just as important as the health and well-being of the workers. 

I often say to beware of someone who offers "help." Because all too often there's an ulterior motive to it, and it's going to come with a catch. While it may all look and sound good on paper, the reality is that it will probably do more harm than good. Especially if it it's coming from a Democrat.

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© 2024 Jim Bauer

"We Were Shocked," Says Tesla Employees

To me, there is a constant message any time we read about any company making job cuts. Your job is not guaranteed, so when you get your paycheck, don't act like it is.

It sounds harsh, but it's also the reality. 

Elon Musk recently announced major workforce cuts in his EV Supercharger division which will affect roughly 500 people. "Everyone was in complete shock," a source told the media.

I get it. It's always painful when you are suddenly left to fend for yourself. And even though, in this case, charging has become a big part of Tesla's business strategy, even that doesn't guarantee your job. Businesses, many people forget, are not in business to employ people. They employ people because they are in business, and in order to maintain certain workforces, they need to make a profit that supports it—and really, their obligation is to ensure that shareholder's investments are managed well.

As I recently wrote in Are We Shooting Ourselves in the Foot On Purpose?, "Turn on the news for mere minutes and one story after another will be told about layoffs, displaced workers, sunk pensions, and shops moving overseas. It's not a conspiracy. It's not a big secret. It happens every single day, and it has been happening since workers became workers."

So many days you'll hear people say, "Live today like it's your last day." All it means is, make it count or make the most of it.

Why not spend every paycheck like it's your last?

It simply means you are prepared for what's likely and inevitable so when the time comes, you're less shocked. When you understand that jobs are not forever, it changes the way you think about each day you spend on the job.

Granted, in the case of the Tesla employees, they may be more shocked because EV Supercharging is such a large part of their business that they felt more "secure." But that's a perspective that comes from being in a different position in the business, and for that reason it is difficult to understand that the strategy hasn't changed, only who will be involved in it has.

I remember a time when I worked for a corrugated box manufacturer who had a specialty machine which made a nearly exclusive and patented triple wall large box. It gave employees a feeling of confidence that was unfounded.

"We've got that machine. Our jobs aren't going anywhere," they thought.

"Guys," I said, "It's only bolted to the floor, but those bolts aren't permanent. They can move that machine anywhere they want or sell the patent to someone else."

I just think that people should be constantly aware of the realities we face every single day of our lives, and one of them is the potential to be laid off, for any reason, at any time. Survival is about making sure you are prepared when things happen.

You can still be shocked. But at least you've got some protection.

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