General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: THE PAY IS TOO DAMN LOW [View all]fasttense
(17,301 posts)But the reason minimum wage isn't higher, and will never be a very good wage, is that we are in a capitalist economic system. Unless you get rid of capitalism, wages will always be pushed lower and lower. There is NO built-in upward pressure on wages for working people because capitalism does NOT allow for it. Capitalism requires the downward spiral of most workers' wages.
It's unions and worker organizations who put pressure on employers to increase wages but as soon as they turn their back on the subject, or they lose power or influence, wages drop. That's what is happening today, wages are dropping because our unions and worker organizations are very weak (though prices are not dropping which goes to show you the 2 are NOT related).
No matter how high minimum wage is pushed, eventually it will fall back down to starvation pay under capitalism.