I just got back from a job interview where I was told that the starting pay is $8.15 p/hr with a 3% commission. My first thought was "Goodbye student loans, hello Penthouse Suite!"
My second thought was, "WTF!?!?"
I have read recently on the Dept. Of Labor's website that the average hourly wage is $12.08. I have to assume that this number would be much lower if not for the few good paying union jobs that are still left in this country. What this info also tells me is that the majority of Americans make less than that. I can't say for sure, but maybe, just maybe that is the reason our economy is flat on it's back, because most of the Americans in this country are flat on their backs too.
The little we had was outsourced to the rest of the world, what is left is the choice between a McJob or a mall job selling stuff that was made somewhere other than America. Why the hell are our financial experts surprised when we can't afford to buy a new car? Yeah, on $8.15 p/hr and a 3% commission I can barely afford to take the bus.
When I expressed my desire to return to school during my interview the reaction I got made it sound like I had just handed back the application with a complimentary stool sample. I was told that the position I had applied for required an open schedule, and that they really couldn't commit to anybody who was not going to be able to stay for the long term. When I told the person conducting the interview that I would still be able to work 40 hours a week they told me that they could not work around my schedule. I had to make a total commitment to them.
A total commitment, for $8.15 p/hr and a 3% commission.
Let's face the facts. The reason our economy sucks is not because Wall St had a bad couple of quarters. It is not because Americans would rather be on unemployment than earn an honest living. And it is certainly not because Americans are lazy and would prefer a hand out and are too lazy to be bothered to work hard for a living.
The reason our economy sucks is because the average Americans wages suck. Consumers make up 70% of our nations economy, and the average consumer is deep in debt. Why is that? Because we work for wages that add up to jack shit, and we often have to work two or three jobs just to get by.
I remeber that was something George W Bush was proud of.
I also remember that the huge salaries of CEO's was something he saw no problem with.
And I also recall that he gave Wall St a huge bailout with no strings attached out of our public tax money, but he also made it harder for individuals to declare bankruptcy.
I am so glad we have a President and a Vice President who knows what it is like to work hard and struggle. It gives a person some perspective on how the other half lives, or, in Bush/Cheney's case, the other 99%.
Consider the space in the comments below an economy (or lack thereof) thread, and feel free to share with the rest of us your thought, ideas and grievances.
Thanks,
MoT