A Republican ideal, work until you die

[Aldebaran]

Of course they can. But that is not what you said.
You said "Well then, perhaps the claim that Servers can't live on their salary and tips isn't true after all."

The claim must be non-existent and it looks like you did make it up.

Do you believe Waiters and Waitresses make enough money to live on?

 

[JustOneWay]

It is true that some are able to have a good career working as servers.
I believe that many servers earn more than I do even though I am earning a good wage at a manufacturing company.

It is a career. Most enjoy the thought of taking cash home with them every day. They (mostly) make such good money that Uncle Sam has decided they make too much without reporting cash, so Uncle Sam is watching them closer than ever. Let us not forget the greedy restaurant owner who takes some of their tips. The rule is, if you really liked your service, pay your server cash so they do not have to report it to the taxman....

 

[BPPLEE]

Just FYI, when I clicked on this link, it gave me the information for Alberta Canada.

Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees

www.dol.gov

 

[BCP1928]

Off topic, anyway. "We the people" have the right to make our own provisions for our own retirement. If we want to pay into a government retirement program set up on our own terms then that's what we will do. Your opinion as to whether we "deserve" it or not is noted and dismissed.

 

[rambot]

Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees

www.dol.gov

Oh my goodness!! That looks criminal!

 

[Vambram]

It is a career. Most enjoy the thought of taking cash home with them every day. They (mostly) make such good money that Uncle Sam has decided they make too much without reporting cash, so Uncle Sam is watching them closer than ever. Let us not forget the greedy restaurant owner who takes some of their tips. The rule is, if you really liked your service, pay your server cash so they do not have to report it to the taxman....

It's difficult for me to imagine restaurant owners as being very greedy. By and large, most restaurants earn only about 3% profit.

 

[JustOneWay]

It's difficult for me to imagine restaurant owners as being very greedy. By and large, most restaurants earn only about 3% profit.

I did not say they are all greedy, but the greedy ones will take from the servers. As you said, the profit margin is usually small. You must not know many restaurant owners. I have many friends who own restaurants, and often times they take cash from the register at the end of the day, which is not reported to the taxman. They get their money any way they can.

 

[Always in His Presence]

OPINION: - Right on cue - every four years the propaganda mill starts churning out story after story of how Republicans are trying to cut Social Security. (Something that never happens - even when it is a Republican lead Congress and White House) -

It's the opening salvo of the Campaign season and as soon as the next President is in office, on the shelf it will go for another three years.

 

[BPPLEE]

I did not say they are all greedy, but the greedy ones will take from the servers. As you said, the profit margin is usually small. You must not know many restaurant owners. I have many friends who own restaurants, and often times they take cash from the register at the end of the day, which is not reported to the taxman. They get their money any way they can.

So it’s not just billionaires who don’t pay their fair share of taxes?

 

[iluvatar5150]

A Server making minimum wage plus tips is most likely not going to be doing that job all their life. It's an entry-level job, not a life-long career.

This attitude is so divorced from reality that it’s hard to believe one can walk outside with any regularity and still believe it.

For this to hold true, all (or even just most) of the low end service jobs would have to be held by younger people, say, under 30.

But that isn’t remotely the case, is it? No, it’s not. Many folks work low wage jobs their entire lives.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

I’m going to work as long as I am able

Yes, but if you can't . It's good to get SSA or SSI, if you can't work. Especially if you been putting money into it.

 

[BCP1928]

OPINION: - Right on cue - every four years the propaganda mill starts churning out story after story of how Republicans are trying to cut Social Security. (Something that never happens - even when it is a Republican lead Congress and White House) -

It's the opening salvo of the Campaign season and as soon as the next President is in office, on the shelf it will go for another three years.

It was a conservative whose video started this discussion. and another conservative who kept it going in that vein

 

[BCP1928]

Do you believe Waiters and Waitresses make enough money to live on?

That's up to them and their employer and is off topic for this thread.

 

[iluvatar5150]

MSN

Honestly that is what this opinion piece advocates. No retirement. Not no mandatory retirement, which I'm OK with. No retirement at all.

You know the piece is supposed to be a joke, right? The author was a humor columnist. If you need a giveaway:

“This is true. Nobody who has ever retired has lasted more than five years, and anyone who claims they have is clearly a zombie. Frankly, I feel almost dead by the end of most weekends, thirsting for the sweet, life-giving invigoration of sweat and toil.”

 

[keith99]

Oh my goodness!! That looks criminal!

It is from 17 years ago! Inflation does change things.

 

[keith99]

You know the piece is supposed to be a joke, right? The author was a humor columnist. If you need a giveaway:

“This is true. Nobody who has ever retired has lasted more than five years, and anyone who claims they have is clearly a zombie. Frankly, I feel almost dead by the end of most weekends, thirsting for the sweet, life-giving invigoration of sweat and toil.”

Yes, I caught that. The sight I followed a link from treated it as dead serious however.

Poe is strong!

 

[rjs330]

The servers making 7.25 plus tips OBVIOUSLY can afford to sock away a useful amount of cash.

Umm.... Who's doing this as life long career? Someone unwise, or perhaps someone who works as a server in an area that pays much better than that?

Even most retirement plans paid for by a company are not fully covered. I had a job with a retirement plan and I paid into it every paycheck by a pretty good chunk. 25 years later I retired. I know work a different job.

Start early in your career, put money away even when it's just a small amount. As you get older you'll make more money and have more opportunities out there. When I leav my current job I'm going to do something else part time. I'm not going to sit around and twiddle my thumbs like my grandfather used to do.

 

[JustOneWay]

Umm.... Who's doing this as life long career? Someone unwise, or perhaps someone who works as a server in an area that pays much better than that?

Very condescending to call people who want to serve food to others for a career as unwise. Talk about being out of touch with average Americans...

Most American business do not provide retirement plans. Consider yourself lucky.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Umm.... Who's doing this as life long career? Someone unwise, or perhaps someone who works as a server in an area that pays much better than that?

Do people over the age of 40 not work service jobs where you live?

 

[rjs330]

Seems cold.
Why?
Don't you think those people don't deserve a wage that supports their basic needs? SOMEBODY needs to make your Jimmy Johns.......like someone HAS to do that...until automation takes over anyways.

No they don't deserve it. They have to earn it. Unless consumers want $30 Jimmy John sandwiches you can't give them a wage to live on. These jobs are not and never have been designed to be careers. They are meant primarily for the part time worker or young worker who is just entering the work force. This is a fundamental disconnect with the supporters of living wages.

There is a fundamental lack of economic knowledge. It's all an emotional appeal. The economic repercussions of this are catastrophic in nature. Businesses won't be able to stay in business and jobs will be lost. The other consequence is that fewer jobs and opportunities will be available. Another is cost increase. We've already seen it. Price increases come with wage increases. Which means might be making more money, but goods are coating more as a result.

Two good examples iny area are in fast food and retail. Businesses have increased their wages, Often close to doubling them but the result is the cost of fast food has come close to doubling in my area and department stores have a large shortage of workers. They can't hire more people because they can't afford it without large increases in cost of goods to the consumer. That means when you go into the store, the shelves are not stocked, you have to wander about the store looking for someone to help you. You are seeing less variety of things for two reasons that the stores can't afford to buy it and there is no one to stock it.

I certainly understand the concept of a wage to live on. It seems like a good thing on the surface. But it is a very shallow argument. It's an emotional appeal. Why shouldn't Sally work a job, any job and earn enough money there to live on. Sounds good!
But there are much deeper problems with that. Oner important factor is human decency I've and development. It's important for people to go on to bigger and better things. People need to search and seek and not be satisfied with status quo. It builds a sense of accomplishment when you stop working part time selling paint and working your way up to full time work as an assistant manager at your local retail store where you make the good money. Or you are encouraged to go the school and pursue a career where you earn the good money.