In the news:
Jan 3, 2025 KOMO News
West Seattle restaurant owner closes doors as rising minimum wage strains finances
Superstar performers, average workers, and slackers are all paid the same per government mandate:
Jan 3, 2025 KIRO 7 News
Seattle minimum wage hike taking toll on small businesses
“As of Jan. 1, Seattle’s minimum wage increased by 79 cents, reaching $20.76 per hour for all businesses, regardless of size.”
Recommendation for a free society-
Stay away from one size fits all mandates.
Let business people make business decisions.
Let customers support or walk away from the businesses of their choosing.
Find 10 successful people.
Ask them if they ever worked for min. wage.
Ask them why they no longer are on it.
Dining Out
Used to enjoy eating out. This feeling was good for decades and in multiple states. 80s, 90s, all the way up until COVID.
Tipping? No problem.
Really do not go out much anymore.
Why?
Expense, iffy experience, smaller portions, business has a hard time finding staff to show up, this leads to reduced quality of experience, etc.
From comments:
“Minimum wage jobs are for entry level workers into the labor force, not intended to be a family supporting job. You work there for a while, learn to come to work on time, learn how to team up with fellow employees, learn to take orders from supervisors, learn to interact with the public etc. After you have accomplished this, then you can take that experience down the road to another business and get a better paying job. Each job you work should build up your skills so when you are an adult, you can get a decent paying job and support yourself.”
Love this comment.
I would add: Do not plan to live in a high cost area if you want the good life on minimum wage.
As I move about, I am mindful of the workers who set their own minimum wage. Who would that be?
People who work on overhead power lines. People who pump septic tanks, operate heavy equipment, work on tree cutting crews, work for the Puget Sound maritime industry, work at Costco, work as a plumber, work as an electrician, work as a Real Estate agent, drive long-haul trucks, work on oil rigs and work on commercial fishing boats.
Related:
Happy New Year – Thought About It
Jobs of the Past/Human Interactions of the Past
From 2017:
From 2011:
Think about how you would mentor a young person.
Would you encourage them not to get promoted, stay at the lowest possible level and depend on the government to ration out pay raises?
Would you encourage them to remain in a group where superstar performers, average workers, and slackers are all paid the same per government mandate?
Be one of the best, show up on time, hustle, burn the candle at both ends, establish yourself early in life, avoid debt and create some freedom for yourself.
Get yourself promoted at work- just one time- & your pay will no longer be linked to the minimum wage.
Minimum Wage / “Living Wage” Laws-
Possibly of interest – from 2017:
Don’t wait on minimum wage to go up
Photo-
Welcome Visitors
Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden
Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.