Used Value vs Age

[IndyJay]

 

[OzarkChris]

You make some good points.
However, in my neck of the woods there is no way you can even maintain a minimal life style on $12/hr. You just can't! You'd have to be living with your parents or getting some support from somewhere else. And there is a uncomfortably large percentage of our population living in that scenario. And I am not talking about those getting a free living off the government.

I do also agree that people should not be paid for doing anything. We don't need that many people in the military though. We'd probably have to start a war to give them something to do. Perhaps something like the job core of the 1930's would be better. We talk about our infrastructure needing work. Well, let them do it. Some people would probably complain this would be just like communism, but it really wouldn't be any different than serving in the military, except you'd be carrying a shovel instead of a gun.

in my neck of the woods there is no way you can even maintain a minimal life style on $12/hr

I totally understand that my neck of the woods is different than in the Pacific NW. (even on the east side). I don't begrudge areas saying that their "living wage" is higher, I do however, believe that the federal government needs to keep their grubby hands out of this matter. Maybe Washington state can increase their sales tax to supplement living wages out there. Don't make my taxes go up to support your lifestyle though. Don't force me to live that lifestyle if it is something I don't want to do and Don't make me and my neighbors pay for programs we don't believe in unless and until you and your neighbors start paying for programs that will help us too. Do I hear a new tax for Free Cows? Free Corn/grass/vegetable seeds? Planters/Tractors/etc, etc? How about a new tax in Washington to pay for my property mortgage?

I know that sounds silly, but honestly your (States) programs are very much like that and I would no more want you to pay for my bills than I would want to pay for yours so lets all just let the states decide what they want to do and how THAT STATE IS going to pay for it without federal involvement that constitutes increasing taxes on everyone else for programs we don't want or need. Everyone has a choice where they want to live, you can live in East Washington, Los Angles, San Diego, New York city etc etc or you can live in a more rural state (like Arkansas - just don't bring your politics, we do NOT want to become your state) where the cost of living is lower (by choice, upbringing etc). Many say they have to stay in a certain area because of jobs, thats a bunch of BS! You might NOT have that cushy job that you once had but you can always join an apprenticeship and work your way back up the ladder.

 

[ljjhouser]

View attachment 717109
Peace

Or life.

 

[5030]

Bottom line for me is no wheeled toasters on this farm.

 

[Jchonline]

NO!
NO!
NO!
You MUST have competition to insure costs and quality are controlled

I am not really interested in paying a private business what they can get on the market for a basic necessity like electricity. I am fine with them building and running them…but the Cost needs to be somehow controlled by the government. Thats the check on the ridiculous runaway electricity bills some in TX got last year. Balance.

 

[Hay Dude]

I am not really interested in paying a private business what they can get on the market for a basic necessity like electricity. I am fine with them building and running them…but the Cost needs to be somehow controlled by the government. Thats the check on the ridiculous runaway electricity bills some in TX got last year. Balance.

How can you let a government control the cost of energy bills and at the same time give them control over natural resources (drilling or fracking rights, etc.)
Thats a recipe for disaster.

 

[Jchonline]

How can you let a government control the cost of energy bills and at the same time give them control over natural resources (drilling or fracking rights, etc.)
Thats a recipe for disaster.

I am not a fan of fracking at all. States have done a decent job of deciding what type of drilling/fracking is best for their communities so far. Some allow it, some dont. I am not saying the federal government….government could be city/county/state.

When there is a resource everyone MUST have access to, companies get really greedy and often use it take advantage of consumers. Healthcare is another great example. Health systems and insurance companies take advantage of people in need of care. When I see that I have no problem with a state law that doesnt allow hospitals to balance bill.