It pisses me off to no end when Repukes say low-paid workers don't deserve a living wage.

[Terra Alta]

"Have minimal skills, work a minimum job, you get minimum wage" is what I've heard from conservatives who think their high-paying job makes them better than everyone else. They all need a reality check.

I work at Walmart as a cashier, and have been for the past 10+ years. They have recently made some improvements in their pay scale, in which workers making less that $10 an hour will be making that by February of 2016.

However, these changes don't affect me and other associates who have gotten a raise every year and make above the $10/hour limit. Even though my pay isn't much over $10, this still won't effect me at all.

And don't get me started on those who are working minimum wage jobs elsewhere(fast food places, and restaurants where workers depend mostly on tips). Republicans don't care about them, either.

Workers like us are lower than pond scum to Repukes, and they say we don't deserve a living wage because we work "minimal" jobs with "minimal" skills. Sorry, but I can't afford to go back to college and improve my skills. I have a car payment, car insurance, a cell phone bill, and I help my mother with the bills every month(yes, I'm 34 years old and still live at home, can't afford to move out on my own) I also have several mental and physical disabilities that would likely prevent me from improving my skills as much as I want.

I'm a week away from getting paid and I'm forced to eat Ramen noodles at work for the next week because it's all I can afford. And Repukes think I should make less? Sorry, but we need a $15.00/hr living wage in this country. Sad that it won't happen because Repukes will always fight it tooth and nail. It just isn't fair to the millions of low-paid workers like myself just scraping to get by.

Apologies for the long post. Just needed to vent.

[Terra Alta]

1. And a good portion of my co-coworkers

Are on food stamps other types of government assistance. Including one who works at both Walmart and McDonald's and still has to rely on food stamps. Something is very, very wrong with this picture.

[Romulox]

2. Both parties insist on the flooding the marketplace with cheap, unskilled labor. nt

[Terra Alta]

7. I'll have to say there is a need for such jobs

But the pay is ridiculous compared to the amount of work that is done. High-end Walmart management in Bentonville get paid six figures to press some buttons on a computer screen while the people working in the stores -- the ones interacting with the customers -- get paid peanuts.

[Hoyt]

30. I agree with raising minimum wage substantially. Exactly what do you mean by

"flooding the market with cheap, low skilled labor?"

[lewebley3]

3. Re pukes, don't want to pay, they want to take labor for free!

GOP, are takers and don't give to this country they send their money over
seas, so they don't even pay their taxes.

[Terra Alta]

8. If Repukes could get by with paying workers nothing

You bet they would. Why do you think they want to get rid of the minimum wage?

[lewebley3]

12. That why its lie when they said they like freedom: They like China the most!

The GOP: envy the Chinese for commies, I wish someone would
point out in a campaign bummer stickers, that no one loves a commie
the like the GOP.

The GOP are completely in bed with China, which is where the GOP house their slave
labor. And know a days the stuff coming from China is crap that is killing
dogs and children. (lead paint) It isn't regulated , nor does it have any quality
to it. I am turning to small business in American for my needs whenever I can
it usually much better than anything coming from China.


Freedom is not something the GOP wants for workers, or other American's : they only want it just for themselves.

[Terra Alta]

18. most of Walmart's products are made in China

or Taiwan, or other countries where cheap, sweatshop labor is in abundance. There was a "Made in America" campaign by Sam Walton in the 80s and 90s, but since he died his heirs have let that fall by the wayside.

[lewebley3]

37. But, doesn't have any quality any more!

It use to be China made the same thing but cheaper, but now the
stuff is cheap and cheap quality.

[lewebley3]

38. They are Lazy American's, they want other people to do their work!

And don't want to pay their taxes, they don't create jobs.

[phantom power]

4. I've always wondered, do they think all 150 million working-age adults could be rich CEOs?

You know, if we all just got the right training and took some motivational classes, we could all be CEOs and... what? give TED talks to each other and award each other giant bonuses?



http://welcometobusinesstown.tumblr.com/post/108506680581/the-thought-leader

[Terra Alta]

14. the GOP seems to think anyone can become rich in America

as long as they work hard and do a good job. But, in the real world, it isn't like that. Many people, myself included, have worked hard for years and even decades and still can't get ahead.

Meanwhile, the CEOs and other top executives get richer and richer every year. Giving themselves million dollar bonuses while their workers suffer.

[tblue]

5. You never hav to apologize

for telling the damn truth. I'm so with you. The people who work the hardest get paid the least, imho. A fatcat Wall Streeter making deals on the phone, I'm sorry, that ain't hard work and doesn't mean they freaking own the rest of us.

[Terra Alta]

15. yeah, make a few phone calls

and push a few buttons on a computer, and make millions.

The people who do the hard, dirty work, not so much.

[lark]

6. + 1,000,000,000

I'm lucky enough to have a good job, but my son only gets paid $8/hr. He's living with us because he can't afford rent, car insurance, gas, and food. Since FL didn't expand medicaid, he also can't afford ACA. He can't get a better job due to a bad decision he made awhile ago and got busted. Life sucks on the low end of the street in America.

[redruddyred]

11. our criminal justice system is laughable

esp considering how they treat domestic violence.
call the cops and they do nothing.
fight back, and they threaten to throw you in jail.
they're cutting funding for shelters left and right too.
and forget about sleeping on park benches: that's a crime now too.
everything's a fucking crime, everyone's a criminal.
my guess is that the people who end up in jails have less agency than we ascribe to them.

[lark]

20. The criminal justice system is completely unjust

It's 100% about making money for the state/city/prison/probate industry, not about rehabilitation, not even a whiff. Where my son was arrested, they didn't even have a drug court in the county. They'd ended that 10 years earlier because it was too expensive. The court, prison, judicial system are in serious need of reform, starting with ending privatization and the requirement to keep jails filled. Then the drug laws needs to be revised, even in the stupid states like mine. Then the rip-off J-Pay needs vast changes too. Of course, law enforcement needs lots more training and needs to be held totally accountable for their actions. They have become totally out of control and are themselves acting like criminals. There should be review boards in every city not comprised of law enforcement officials. So much needs to be done, this isn't even 1/2 of it.

[redruddyred]

25. oh did he get busted for drugs

sounds like bullshit already.
who's fucking stupid idea was privitization, I want to know. (don't answer that, I am well aware that it starts with an R)

the requirement to keep jails filled
THAT'S NOT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AT ALL

[Terra Alta]

16. I have a friend who has nine years left

on a thirty year sentence for a non-violent drug crime. It's going to be very hard for him to find a job making good money when he gets out, even Walmart won't hire him(they don't hire felons). People like that always get the short end of the stick.

[AuntPatsy]

9. Good Rant, too bad Karma is just a myth...

[Terra Alta]

22. +1

Would love nothing more than for Karma to bite the CEOs and other head honchos of big corporations right in the ass. Doubtful it will happen, though.

[redruddyred]

10. with the new $10/hr wages, walmart is beginning to look like an attractive employer

esp where I live.
proud to be part of the #raisethewage movement, but let's change the business culture, too.

[Terra Alta]

17. Walmart does pay more than most places in the rural area where I live

which is why I can't afford to just get another job. I can barely survive on what I'm being paid now, can't afford less pay.

$10/hr, while a good start, still isn't enough for most people. Especially since most of those jobs will be part-time with no benefits. I'm lucky enough to be full-time, but most of the people in non-supervisor roles at my store are part-time and in worse shape than I am.

[redruddyred]

32. haha, and to think I'm begging my employer for part-time status

I'm sick sick sick and they won't even accomodate that.
these big chain stores are ridiculous, if you lived in my state I'd invite you to come help fuck some shit up. by which I mean organize a union or demonstrate #thuglife
I think this may be my next career.

my amigo/coworker is convinced that capitalism is worse and more oppressive in rural areas, where there are fewer employers to choose from and all the businesses are owned by a couple of people. what say you?

[Terra Alta]

33. I live in a rural area

and employers are scarce here. There's Walmart, Food Lion, CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, and a couple fast food joints. None of which pay very well. That's capitalism for you.

[redruddyred]

35. why is your town ruled by corporate monopolies.

I bet you can't get proper food either.
at least here in new england we have a few small businesses and small farmers who I try like hell to support.
so does everyone else, they have a much better product.
shame on your coworkers for letting this happen.

[Orsino]

13. A cult of misery and death...

...founded on fairy tales, bigotry, selfishness and a worship of aristocracy.

[Terra Alta]

23. so true.

CEOs, the 1%, and many conservatives think people like me deserve "little pay" for the "little work" we do. They just don't know. I doubt they'd last one hour in my shoes.

[redruddyred]

36. wasn't there a reality show abt that?

it was vastly popular, but didn't contribute to any meaningful social change.
sorry if monopolizing the discussion here.

[noiretextatique]

39. Undercover Boss

is the show.

[hamsterjill]

19. I completely agree with your post. But I have a very serious question for you, please.

I am being completely serious here, so please do not think I'm being sarcastic. I am interested in your perspective as a Walmart employee.

I live in Texas, and I know a lot of people who work at the Walmarts in San Antonio. Every damn one of them votes Republican.

Can you please enlighten me as to why that is? Do these people simply not understand what the Republican party is doing and is responsible for? I've tried reasoning with some of them. One of them, in particular, is a very good friend of mine. She will not budge. She hates liberals and won't consider voting for anyone who is not Republican.

Thank you in advance for any insight that you can give.

[Terra Alta]

21. It's the same at my store, too.

Most of my co-workers consistently vote GOP, even though they're always talking about not being able to make ends meet and that they aren't getting paid enough. Most of these people are also conservative Christians, and would never vote for a pro-LGBT, pro-choice candidate, even if it means voting against their own self interests when it comes to income equality and the minimum wage. I live in a very conservative area of NC, and I'm assuming it's the same in Texas as well.

[redruddyred]

28. do I sense... a window of opportunity for mr sanders? nt

[Terra Alta]

31. I support Bernie

don't think many of my co-workers do, at least when it comes to social issues. I think if they could set aside their opposition to abortion and marriage equality, they would see they have a great friend in Bernie Sanders.

[redruddyred]

34. my point was that he is basing his campaign on income inequality

while hillary seems more focused on 'identity politics'.
sorry you have to deal with these people, I once tried to have a nuanced discussion abt socialism in texas and they were like IT FAILED IN RUSSIA.
of course, I was like, "wrong socialism,"
but that's a lot of words.

[awoke_in_2003]

24. Their argument might have worked 15 years ago...

when the majority of people working fast food were high school kids. Kids are being replaced by adults, some with families, because good jobs for people with families, like manufacturing, are all but gone.

[Terra Alta]

26. this is true

Used to be, when I would go into McDonald's or other fast food places, it would be young, high school and college kids working their way through school. Now it's people in their 30s and 40s with families to feed, and not getting paid enough to get by.

[DJ13]

27. My favorite conservative excuse for poverty wages is

"If the workers were worth more, they would get paid more. Value creation is the underlying reason they dont get better pay. They have no value past their existing wages."


Makes me want to reach through my monitor and beat the living crap out of them.

[Terra Alta]

29. yeah, every time I hear that I want to scream.

Like low-paid workers have no value. That kind of thinking makes me sick.