I'm split on the minimum wage increase.

[westy1080]

At work, the boss and I were talking about the increase in the minimum wage. I think it is a great thing for people to get paid more, but on the other hand, in my situation it's very tough.

I work in the printing business. In fact, I've seen a handful of the posters we printed show up in pictures here, which makes me very happy. Thankfully, my boss lets me spend extra time in the shop printing out more anti-war posters. Oh wait. My boss is my wife :)

We hire only college students who take a few night classes a semester because they can't pay for a full set of classes each a semester. We want to do as much as possible to help as many people as possible get a good education, so we hire them and help them out. We pay for their books and provide health benefits. However, we pay them minimum wage. Right now, we have 10 students working with us, but because of the minimum wage increase, we sadly might have to let three or four go so we can pay for the cost to run the business. We barely bring in enough money now to break even. If we have to pay the students more, we're going to have to do something to stay in business. We don't want to raise the rates for printing, because we want everyone to be able to afford signs and banners at our anti-war protests, but we don't want to have to let some students go and we want to still be able to help the students out with college.

So what should we do? I appreciate your help.

[Lost-in-FL]

1. ???

[Poll_Blind]

2. If it were me, put it to the employees on the condition that if it...

...passes any layoffs because of finances will be applied regardless of tenure at the job. I don't think the minimum wage has been increased though, at least not in my state, so I'm phrasing it as a potential increase. I'm not sure it's legal but that way they get to decide if they want to take the gamble. If tenure ensures survivorship then, of course, those who have been there the longest will vote for it and those there the least, against it.

You don't have to abide by their vote but you can have them vote for it and let them know that after they vote you will decide either to raise the wages and lay off some or keep the wages the same and retain all. Then an employee has to think hard about how much they need that extra money if a chance at it could mean beind released from the job.

You could always cut the other services if that's necessary, like purchasing their school books for them. Or you could see if there aer any programs in your state which might be able to assist you for employing students.

I've previously been on the board of a very small company and pay came up. We wanted everyone to be happy but sometimes there wasn't enough pie to go around and tough decisions had to be made if there were increases in pay.

PB

[monarch]

3. Not sure I buy this post n/t

[Lost-in-FL]

5. **

It smells rotten to me.

[Kelly Rupert]

14. I'm certain I don't.

[TahitiNut]

29. Ditto.

The chance are that a business the size described isn't even subject to FLSA if it's even in a state that already doesn't have its own minimum wage that's higher.

On top of that, labor is in no way such a large share of their costs. No way. No how.

It's horseshit.

[goddess40]

4. Since it was raised the last time employers haven't done their job

to keep up with inflation - so the gov't has to do it for them. It's the only ethically and morally right thing to do.

[burythehatchet]

6. I think you should both quit and become wandering minstrels

[westy1080]

49. I love my job though

My wife and I just started this a few years ago. It was tough in the beginning, but it's getting better. But if things don't work out, you and I will become wandering minstrels together :)

[Zuiderelle]

73. I agree with this advice!

:rofl:

[Journeyman]

7. Find some non-protest print clients you can charge well for your work. . .

and do your best to keep a full complement employed.

Don't know what kind of printing you do, but if all you pay is minimum wage for anything other than bindery work, I'd hazard to say your employees are way underpaid. They'd do better to hook up with another, prevailing-wage shop and pay for their own books and insurance. They'd certainly make enough to do so.

[Lost-in-FL]

8. .

http://www.marylandpolicy.org/blog/2005/04/debunking-myths-about-minimum-wage.html

Myth: Raising the minimum wage will hurt small business
There is ample contemporary research that casts a long shadow of doubt over the contention that raising minimum wage will hurt small business. Jerold Waltman examined the relationship between business failures and minimum wage increases. He found that "there seems to be no discernible correlation between minimum wage increases and a rise in business failures, either in the year the increase occurred or in the following year. If anything, the evidence leans the other way." (page 221, Politics of the Minimum Wage, University of Illinois Press).
A 2004 study by the Fiscal Policy Institute examined the impact of minimum wage increases on small businesses. Their analysis focused on various outcomes for businesses with less than 50 employees, comparing outcomes in states with minimum wages higher than federal level to those with minimums at the federal level. They found that:

* Between 1998 and 2001, the number of small business establishments grew twice as quickly in states with higher minimum wages;
* Retail employment grew 1.5 times more quickly in high minimum wage states; and,
* Annual and average payroll growth was faster in higher minimum wage states.

[salin]

17. because aside from supply siders *only the rich fuel the economy* view

money in the hand of consumers - esp if it lifts from being able to barely survive - to having a few extra bucks in the wallet - tend to increase consumer spending ... esp on smaller ticket items - but those add up quickly.

[rebel with a cause]

9. If you expect someone else to live on $5+ an hour,

then you should have no problem doing so yourself.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

76. "Have no problem doing so" is arguably too strong.

"Be capable of doing so with a standard of living you would not regard as unendurable" is certainly reasonable in that sentence. A claim somewhat stronger than that arguably is. "Have no problem doing so" isn't, by most interpretations.

More generally, your point - that it's immoral to want society not to guarantee a standard of living for others as high as the one you aspire to for yourself - is one I disagree with. I want society to guarantee opportunities to achieve a standard of living as high (and, indeed, far higher) than mine to everyone, but I don't think the cost of guaranteeing that everyone achieves that is justifiable, or indeed possible.

[rebel with a cause]

85. Ok, whatever.

I will agree to disagree with everything you just said and leave it at that.

[high density]

10. So at the end of the semester or whatever you ditch 3 positions

IMHO you're not doing anybody favors by paying them minimum wage. It sounds like you evidently don't need ten employees anyway.

[Kelly Rupert]

13. The "story" doesn't make any sense.

I mean, employees at a print shop near a college making minimum wage? Simply letting employees go? I mean, if they can let them go and still operate, why are they there in the first place?

[salin]

18. having known a number of small business owners,

this may be a true story. Not so quick to spit on it - would rather prefer to suggest ideas... such as tap into the employees' collective creativity to come up with ways to increase business (out reach, outreach, outreach) to increase business enough to pay for the increase without layoffs and without increased prices.

[Kelly Rupert]

24. Being engaged to a small business owner,

this isn't. In a small business, work is considered in number of hours, not number of employees, and when a small business finds the going tough, they do not have superfluous employees sucking up payroll, as the OP does. Understaffing is common, with the owner and family working extra hours. But few small businesses will schedule more hours than they need--and those that do will find themselves going out of business in short order.

If he's at all a competent business owner, he has scheduled the minimum number of hours to cover the work that must be done. The cost at which those hours come would not affect the number of employees he would hire.

He writes as someone who is moderately familiar with the economics of big-box or corporate business, but not one who is an actually small business owner.

[salin]

32. this is helpful to me - per *why* the skepticism

thanks (my other response was written before this). Thanks for the *why*; very much gives me pause.

[Kelly Rupert]

35. Not a problem.

This is what DU is for--sharing our knowledge for mutual benefit.

[salin]

40. Indeed!

A big part of why I still enjoy this place. :D

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

70. I think you hit the nail on the head. I smell astroturf. -nt

[crispini]

80. Thank you for this thoughtful commentary.

:thumbsup:

[Doctor_J]

11. If you can't afford to pay your people $7.00/hr, your business

isn't viable anyway. Sorry, that's the way it is.

freakrepublic.com might be more sympathetic.

[Kelly Rupert]

12. I give you a 4/10.

Nice try. You may have suckered in a few, but you'll always catch a few no matter how bad your troll-fu is.

Overall, I'd give you a 4/10.

EFFORT: 5/10. Nice length, developed voice. But 14 posts? Man, give it at least 500. Put some work into it.
VOICE: 2/10. "At our anti-war protests?" You're laying it on awful thick, pal.
CONTENT: 3/10. Classic "make up antecdotal evidence." A bit better than a simple "you're all wrong," but not by much. No finesse.

Keep going. I look forward to your future efforts, no matter what the name.

[westy1080]

50. Once again

I apologize. I signed up here but rarely get to post because of work. Do you know what it's like running a business? It's a lot of work. I wish I could post more here, but I can't sometimes because of how much time I spend working.

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

71. As a matter of fact I have started two successful businesses. I know

exactly how hard it is to meet payroll - especially during the start up. I always love the people who talk about how hard it is to begin a business, pay decent wages, meet all their obligations connected with the business but then run out buy new cars so the business can pay for them, put the business in their wife's name so they qualify for special considerations as a woman owned business, make sure to pay the country club dues out of company funds for "client entertainment" and the miscellaneous and sundry of "expenses" they must have to operate a business.

You most valued asset in your business is your employees - not the printing presses, not the ink, paper, nothing will make or break you faster than your employees - take care of them and they will take care of you.

Now I don't know if you have done any or all of the things I've mentioned above but I have met more than my share of business owners who think of their business as nothing more than opportunities to feed their own ego and their own lifestyle at the expense of others. If they have to screw the employees to do so, so be it.

And just for the record I have never asked an employee to work for minimum wage.

[theothersnippywshrub]

15. You should close your business and get a job.

Bush's followers, like Bush himself, have no honor or integrity. Why this appeals to people like you I will never understand.

[mockmonkey]

16. Move

your business to China and make a deal with Wal-mart. I thought you were for a $30/$35 per hour min. wage awhile ago?

[walldude]

19. Raise your rates...

Pretty fucking simple. Most Americans I'm sure would be happy to pay an increase if it means paying a living wage to your employees.

[bif]

20. I noticed you haven't responded.

[Cleita]

21. When DH and I had a business, we had three minimum wage

raises (although we paid more than minimum wage) and were able to raise our prices only once in that period, competition and all. We made it up by increasing our business. More volume brings in more money and you really don't have to hire any new help until your present help is fully employed. Also, it helps to bargain for your product from your distributors that you are going to sell, getting the best price and all. Eventually, as your competition raises their prices then you can raise yours. It all balances out in a real free market. Also, if you buy their books and such, I believe there is a way to tie it to their wage. I know in the restaurant business there was a certain percentage you could knock off per day for meals.

However, I hope you aren't just pulling our legs. I answered anyway in case anyone was interested in how it happens in real life.

[westy1080]

55. Thank you for your help

At least there is someone here to help.

We like to hire new help though. We want to help the less fortunate people so we give them jobs under the condition that they attend classes in college, study, learn, and graduate. So the more people who we can hire, the more people who can get started in life with a career of their own and be successful.

[nini]

22. hit and run post

hmmmmmm



:eyes:

[wicket]

47. Yup

Typical

:eyes:

[salin]

23. It is hard to run a private start-up - I think some posting *don't get that

reality* - hence take the critiques with a grain of salt.

I would suggest that you tap into the creativity, intelligence and education of this crew of kids - and try to come up with different promotional ideas intended to increase business. Some ideas, initially easily dismissable may have some grains of sparkle that ought to be pursued - as in figure out the "why it wouldn't work" and then address those whys rather than dismisssing. It is amazing what folks can collectively come up with (most often *not* tapped into by superiors) that can have huge merits at a) driving costs down; and b) increasing business. Give the challenge that a) this is what increase is needed in order to maintain current staffing; and b) if instead x goal (higher) is met, this could lead to an overall increase in salary (or bonuses - more short-term).

Taking the approach of "how do we expand business" in order to cover the increased costs for employees - without increasing costs to consumers - could actually lead in the long-term (if one takes a long-term business planning approach) to a long-term increase in business profits ontop of being able to pay the additional cost of the increase to the minimum wage. And if this were to be the case, I would hope that some of that would be shared with your employees. There really is something special in the small-business enterpreneurial spirit - tap into that in your employes ... and you might find some very interesting and profitable results.

[Kelly Rupert]

25. Some posting are intimately familiar with it, and can tell that

the OP is full of it.

[salin]

30. perhaps...

but perhaps giving ideas - and then when rejected (if happens) pointing out the parts of the post that make it BS would make a stronger statement (and educating readers as to *why* it is bs) might be more effective. If the poster never returns - your point will be very well taken. If poster returns - I would judge motives based on types of responses.

I say this as one who has been forcefully in favor of the mw increase... for years. Just don't want to see a premature pileup *if* the concern is real (which for some small business owners - seems real until they see how the whole thing plays out.)

[Kelly Rupert]

33. The OP is gone, i'd bet.

Many have expressed skepticism, many have suggested alternate ideas, many (such as me) have pointed out holes in his story.

How many replies? Zero. From someone who claims to be so desperately concerned and looking for advice?

What does that tell you?

[salin]

45. that does indeed appear to be the case.

per the vanishing. As I said above, your reasons for the skepticism was very helpful in understanding why the skepticism. When I worked at a tiny startup - that wasn't quite our prespective... but we were two (and killed ourselves per timing) - your explanation was easy for me to *get* per expansion of the business (which happened after I had to move out of the region - so I was no longer intimately involved in the business) - and the nature of a small startup non profit (which I have been involved with as well) is different - as each position had to be funded before hiring - so the consideration was always in the salary and benfits perspective rather than "hours" including part timers - as that would come later when one hand enough resources to afford part-timers (inverse of small for profit businesses at the same phase of development). Your perpsective has been helpful. :-)

[TahitiNut]

36. The chances such a small business is even covered by the FLSA is VERY slim.

Further, what're the chances that particular state doesn't already have a minimum wage higher than specified in the House legislation (which has yet to be passed by the Senate and signed)?

The gnashing of teeth about 'small business' constantly ignores the FACT that many/most aren't covered by FLSA.

[salin]

46. very good point.

:hi:

[rug]

26. If you can't afford to pat $7.25 an hour you really shouldn't be in business.

[mmonk]

27. There hasn't been a minimum wage increase in a decade.

Has anything like gas or medical care or anything else gone up in a decade? My father was a businessman and I have been as well and he supported minimum wage increases and so do I. Would I try to sink my own ship? They always say the same things about wage increases, but the impending disaster of everyone losing their jobs never happens.

[gatorboy]

28. So, like, my teacher says Clinton's a criminal

and I don't know what to say, can anyone help me??? :P

[sendero]

31. Every printer in your area..

... that relies on min wage labor will be faced with the same increased payroll costs. They will ALL have to raise prices a little.

All of of the advertising crap that most printers spew out will cost the spammers a little more.

I fail to see any problem.

[meow mix]

34. heres a good one for yah.. my work has hourly and commission

compensated employees. the republican owner just let us know that extra money will be deducted from the commission based people in order to pay for the minimum wage helpers raises =(
(plus a little bit extra while shes at it to put in her own bank)
thats after she takes half.. or sometimes all of our tips too.

anyways she let us know about our pay-cuts immediatly after telling us what a great year we had last year. the best yet.

[mdmc]

37. couldn't you just hire illegals?

Hire some super cool college students and pay them in beer and nugs and posters. You should have no problem bro! Welcome to DU..

[mdmc]

74. kicking my great idea

:kick:

[Sapphire Blue]

38. Hire 10 more employees & pay everyone $20/hr.

:hi:

Edited to clarify: Keep the 10 employees you have, hire 10 additional employees, and pay all 20 employees $20/hr. Pay all their tuition, too. Also, provide them w/0 (zero) deductible medical.

You'll have an very happy & motivated workforce. Business will be booming.

[LSK]

39. they are going to raise it slowly, its not a one time shot

Wait and see how the #s are. You will be surprised.

[Kelly Rupert]

41. 40 posts without a reply?

Odd for one in such dire straits.

[blonndee]

42. westy, oh westy, where aaarrrre you westy?

You've gotten some great advice and some important questions here. In your OP you seem to be quite interested in feedback--why no responses from you so far?

[westy1080]

48. I'm sorry

Things needed to get done. I don't have all the time in the world, like some people on here do. I have a business to help run and a son to take care of.

[LSK]

52. westy1080: tell me, when the law is enacted, what will the minimum wage be??

I mean the very next day???

[LSK]

58. let me help you, H. R. 2

A BILL

To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007'.

SEC. 2. MINIMUM WAGE.

(a) In General- Section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:

`(1) except as otherwise provided in this section, not less than--

`(A) $5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after the date of enactment of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007;

`(B) $6.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and

`(C) $7.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day;'.

(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. APPLICABILITY OF MINIMUM WAGE TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS.

(a) In General- Section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206) shall apply to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(b) Transition- Notwithstanding subsection (a), the minimum wage applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands under section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) shall be--

(1) $3.55 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after the date of enactment of this Act; and

(2) increased by $0.50 an hour (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to equal the minimum wage under section 6(a)(1) of such Act), beginning 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act and every 6 months thereafter until the minimum wage applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands under this subsection is equal to the minimum wage set forth in such section.

[Selatius]

94. Nicely done, LSK.

Good form. Good form.

:toast:

[prolesunited]

53. Too bad

You should just sit back and live on welfare, drive Cadillacs and eat steak every night like the rest of us do.

[devilgrrl]

60. ....

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[bobbolink]

75. Dang! Why didn't *I* think of that?! That's a good life

:hi:

:rofl:

[bluewave]

54. Westy, this doesn't make any sense.

How does a business operating by a shoestring pay for their employee's books and health care? This simply isn't plausible.

[Kelly Rupert]

61. I'm sure they did.

For instance, trying to think of cover stories.

[Zuiderelle]

77. "like some people on here do", You seem to have gotten a little testy, westy.

[bluewave]

43. Yeah 4/10. Why are you operating a business that makes no money?

How can you afford health benefits but not 2 bucks an hour more? Which employer pays for their employee's books?

And that addition of helping them print anti war posters is a little weird.

Just too fishy and unbelievable. Would you mind giving us the name and location of your printing business? It's free advertising.

[Atman]

68. Never mind that, the printing business is pretty technical

Pressman aren't part-time college kids on minimum wage. I wouldn't take a one-color business card to a printer staffed with part-time college kids. It's a skill, not freakin' burger flipping.

[HughBeaumont]

44. Here's my advice:

If you think that (factoring inflation over 10 DAMNED YEARS since the last raise) a less-than-dollar increase in minimum wage is so burdensome to your "business", then you shouldn't be in business in the first place. A real business owner would be doing the work themselves rather than take on 10 "students" at minimum wage to get their costs down. Surprised you didn't throw some granola, latte, Birkenstock or Volvo references to go with that "anti-war protest" bullshit.

I mean, guy? Aren't you a little old to be doing this "prank post" thing?

[rebel with a cause]

If I was giving him any real advise

I would tell him to move to a state that has a higher minimum wage already, and then he could be a real caring employer. Just being "cute" and "contrary". I don't like people who even lie and say they don't want to pay anyone more than five dollors an hour. If you can't afford to pay workers a living wage, then you can't afford workers. Do it yourself.:grr:

[sandnsea]

51. Don't go to Hawaii this year n/t

[devilgrrl]

56. I'm getting a reading....

[pinto]

59. My understanding is that the Federal minimum wage doesn't apply to your situation.

[TahitiNut]

95. With some exceptions, you're right. The FSLA doesn't apply to most small business

... of this size. Furthermore, what're the chances it's not in some state with a minimum wage already higher than the federal?

Color me (indelibly) skeptical. :eyes:

[SanCristobal]

62. Minimum wage, sound like you are a corporate slave master!

:-)

Stories like yours are part of the reason I don't support the minimum wage. It's a feel good legislation that has an overall negative affect on those it is supposed to help.

It sounds like you run a great place to work, it is too bad you have to let someone go. You offer good benefits to your employees, you could cut those if you don't want to fire anyone. I would put it to your employees, talk to them privately and ask them if they would rather keep their job with fewer benefits, or risk loosing it to keep their benefits and wage increase. See what their consensus is, it might help make a hard decision easier.

[jayfish]

63. "What Should We Do?"

You should take a pay-cut so those 3-4 people you are going to have to let go can keep their jobs. I mean really, lets take a look at your sob-story post:

Right now, for a 40-hour week, your four peeps are grossing $206.00 each a week @ $5.15/hr for a total of $824. After the increase is fully implemented they would be grossing $290.00 each for a total of $1160. That's a increase of $336 per week or $17,472 per year. That's equivalent to a single employee making $8.40 per hour. From reading about the financial state of your company your can't be making much more than that. ...so quit.

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one" -Spock

Now back to el Rushbo with you.

Jay

[devilgrrl]

64. have to kick this...

:evilgrin:

[seabeyond]

65. my father owns dry cleaners. it is a tough and competitive business

prices must be low. he pays his people minimum or a tad above. a lot of employs will get an increase. i understand his side trying to keep business going and it is tough, i also understand the low wage people cant survive and i dont think that is fair. it will effect his business. he wll have to raise prices. many of the people here promoting minimum wage will also be the ones bitching about a price increase and still.... i think it is all worth it. it is going to be tough on small businesses. there is not a large margin to mess around with profit and loss. but i think it is needed and things will settle out, though awfully tough for many, for a while. it might me some will have to be let go and others will have to pick up more of the work.

[Atman]

66. Is this one of those unrehearsed town-hall questions for Mr. Bush?

:eyes:

You forgot to add "We love you Mr. President, and think you're doing a great job!"

.

[SanCristobal]

102. LMAO!

I was thinking the same thing, but it's still a pretty fun topic.

[kentuck]

67. Is that why you are such a loyal Democrat?

Definitely don't want to ask the business community to sacrifice...Let people work for whatever the market will bear.

[stanwyck]

69. If you can't afford to pay minimum wage

then you're not really a business. Sorry. The minimum wage is deplorable. I'm sure you wouldn't want to live on less than $6.00/hour. You couldn't. You'd need to have at least one more job. And work your life away.
If you're a "business", and you can't afford to pay the minimum wage, you're not really a business. You're a hobby. Or a plantation. Or a sweat shop.
But, you're not a business.

[Zuiderelle]

72. Raise the rates of course. I don't understand how you could be split on this.

If you cannot stay in business without raising the rates, you have no choice but to raise the rates.

To be against a minimum wage increase for such selfish reasons makes no sense.

[Norquist Nemesis]

78. sniff

1. Why are you paying for their books?
2. Are these students full time employees? Also, just curious how you cover them for "health benefits". IMO, that's wonderful! But at the same time, since these are students isn't there a campus clinic that they would be covered by? :shrug:

Here's the thing though...while your minimum wage employees will be making more, so will all of the other minimum wage employees in your surrounding area. Actually, more for them to spend provides an opportunity for you! Without knowing more about your business it's hard make off the cuff suggestions that would be do-able, but here's one: Shift one or two employees into agressive sales/marketing.

BTW, my dad was in the printing business and in a college town to boot! ahhhh, the smell of ink solvent brings some powerful memories of childhood. :)

[kentuck]

79. This sounds like carlos jiacinto...

:)

[bicentennial_baby]

81. Ah, the memories....

Bolivia: Discuss :rofl:

:)

[TahitiNut]

91. (lol!) GMTA

Carlos sleeps with the (Lieberman) fishes.

:evilgrin:

[kmla]

93. *snort*

:spray:

[Bridget Burke]

82. Exactly how much are you spending per employee now?

Last time I checked, health care & textbooks were pretty expensive. Can we have some "real" numbers?

Let us know your location. All the liberal DU'ers in your area will surely send business your way for the next anti-war protest!

[youthere]

83. You obviously flunked "Mole 101". n/t

[Squatch]

84. I can't believe you all are falling for this.

I'm ROFL, here.

[devilgrrl]

87. Who's falling for it?

Have you read any of the responses?

:freak:

[Squatch]

88. A good 1/2 of the initial responses took this seriously

and one even chastized the OP for not responding to all the sage advice given. A large number of respondents took the OP seriously, found out they were had, and then came back to edit their original statements (ie. I give you a 4/10 (post #12)). Only until the responses numbered in the 30's did the majority of people start figuring this out for what it was.

Now, my question to you is, have YOU read any of the responses? :spank:

[devilgrrl]

97. Yes. From the beginning...

so there! :P

[Squatch]

98. Are you sure it was *this* thread?

And not some imaginary invisible thread with fairies and wood pixies? Mmmm...wood pixies.

[devilgrrl]

99. Yes, this thread...

:silly:

[Squatch]

100. ROFL

[skypilot]

86. You pay for their BOOKS?!?!

???

[Big Pappa]

89. Wow

10 employees yet you barely scrape by.

[TahitiNut]

92. Welcome to DU, Big Pappa.

:hi:

(I love sarcasm.) :evilgrin:

[gilpo]

103. Welcome, Big Papa!

[Bandit]

90. You think college students don't deserve a fair wage?

Why don't you just hire illegals? You don't seem to care about Americans. Raise your rates as all business does when their production costs go up.

[Selatius]

96. I am a college student, and let me tell you the minimum wage is the only thing that...

is preventing many of us from falling through the floor into the basement. In an inflationary period where tuition increases at a faster rate than wages, the minimum wage is a shrinking island for people who can't swim yet.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

101. "we don't want to raise the rates."

Well, Westy, minimum wage has not been increasing with inflation. So apparently you have been raising the rates, and just not passing it on to your employees.

What should you do? Give raises to your employees.

And have some music with your wine.

:nopity:

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

104. I'm going to lock this since the

original poster is no longer with us.

best,
wakemeupwhenitsover
DU Moderator