starting to think the NHS isnt too bad over here we got the standard income tax, 10 - 40% depending on how much you earn, then 10% national insurance tax which covers your health, state benefits and some goes towards state pension if you ever get to retirement age :? .... oh and dont forget that damn council tax, for 'local services' that dont work!! i used to really resent having to fork out for a health service i never used, until recently i'd never stepped foot inside a hospital. didnt have to wait long at all!
I get what you are saying about small business's but on the employee side, how the heck can someone pay rent when they are making that?? We are at 7.85 I think over here.. And MCdicks Big mac Combo is 6.38 with Tax here...I know cause I just had one yesterday :lol:
If you're making minimum wage, you're either living in a shelter or home with mom. you figure you get to keep about $4.00/hr, so 40 hrs/week is $160.00. Rent will run you $500-$1000/month, so that $640/mo isn't gonna go too far if you want to eat or drive. Woo.
No WAY can you live on minimum wage! I don't even think you could find an apt for just $500 per month, D. Unless you're talking a studio located somewhere like bridgeport...
I'm talking about places where the min. wage is still $5.15-$6.00, the apartments are cheaper as well. Here in CT, you're not finding a 1 bedroom apt for less than $800
I called the few apartments in this town. As most of you know, we live far from any 'real' city...heck we are lucky to have a walmart...and I hate walmart! A 1 bedroom starts at around 400.00 a month. Gas is running between 3.05-3.25 gallon here this month. No public transportation. Everything is spread out where you can't walk, you must drive. Minimum wage is 5.15 an hour. Oklahoma has state taxes, unlike some states (Texas, Florida, for example) So...not only do you get federal taxes, you get state taxes taken out of your paycheck. In my opinion, a single person can't live off of minimum wage...much less a family. And if you have family, you have daycare costs to factor in as well if you both work. Even school age kids you have to find some sort of after school care...there are no after school free programs here.
Gothca, D. You could find something under $800 in CT I am sure, but you would want to get a bullet proof vest :lol: That's crazy Tonya! Your gas is as much as ours here! I am not sure what day care would cost in our area since we do not have children, so I can't comment on that. I guess it is just good reason to get an education and encourage your children to!
The use of the minimum wage has never, ever, ever worked. It is merely a “feel good” tool used by politicians. Any economist (even the most liberal ones) will tell you, that when you raise the minimum wage you: 1) put people out of work (the lowest skilled and the ones that need it the most) and 2) eventually cause inflation. One of the scariest parts about a minimum wage increase is the loss of jobs through automation or outsourcing. Once it becomes economically feasible to automate or outsource a job, it never comes back-that job is lost forever. Marsh
