In the aftermath of the City Council’s vote to raise Seattle’s minimum wage by more than 60% – under threat of a union-sponsored initiative that would certainly be used against any city council member who dared vote against labor – it is worth again reviewing a letter published two months ago by Seattle celebrity chef Tom Douglas.
It should have been required reading by those who were stampeded into voting for this misguided measure, but clearly was not.
For those who didn’t follow his role in this debate, Douglas supports a minimum wage increase, and put his money where his mouth is last year by raising the wages of his kitchen (or back-of-the-house) employees. However, he had extreme concerns about the direction that Mayor Ed Murray and the city council were heading without much thought for the economic consequences of their clearly political vote. Douglas expressed his concerns in an open letter to the public.
Quick Poll
Here are five quotes penned by Douglas worth remembering.
1. On an across-the-board $15 minimum wage increasing prices for consumers:
“That is a $5 million+ direct price hike annually on our menus and consequently to our customers. That is more than double our bottom line before taxes and reinvestment. In other words there is no way for us to absorb this expense in-house. This also does not reflect price increases we are likely to receive from our farmers, dry goods vendors and beverage distributors. This price increase is hugely inflationary to the restaurant business and is irresponsible when considering business people who have long-term leases and investments based on prior economic models.”
2. On the $15 minimum impacting all aspects of day-to-day life:
“This is going to touch everybody soon, so I suggest you do your own math and see where it might affect your life. Can or will your employer still afford health care? Staff meals? Everything you buy from local produce to rent to childcare to your own meals out on the town will be affected. We do know that the City Council and Mayor’s office will still make their wage and enjoy their health and retirement benefits without fail.
3. On the $15 minimum wage as a sign of Seattle elected officials’ lack of respect for taxpayers and businesses:
“I would be lying to say that I’m not concerned with the outcome of this national experiment happening in the Seattle market. It is also not lost on me that our City Council and Mayor’s office have very little small business experience. While they have budgets to live by, they are not playing with their own cash. Parking meter fees, B&O tax dollars, excise “sales” taxes and fees collected from tourist and business travelers and the rest of us are chess pieces to be moved on a board, but the cost of failure is ours, the tax payers. Raises and benefits given to city workers are from our tax pockets. They might get voted out of office for their actions and decrees, but they won’t go bankrupt. It is inherently easier to spend other people’s money than the gut check of investing your last dime into a dream.
4. On how the $15 minimum wage perpetuates an already harsh economic reality of the 21st century:
“When a local has to choose where to dine, they are now faced with a 520 bridge toll, increased parking rates and hours, future tunnel tolls, terrible traffic jams and now a possible 20%+ menu inflation. It’s not hard to imagine them choosing to stay at home. In fact, many already have because of another trend….on line shopping. We began to feel the effects of this trend in 2013 and don’t see it stopping anytime soon. When the modern American shopping center was born right here at Northgate Mall and proliferated to suburbs around the nation, many downtown cores were decimated. In a recent chat with a downtown department store owner, there is serious concern that in-store foot traffic will decrease by 50% between 2010 and 2020. That is what their models are showing with the extrapolation for us being if you’re not coming downtown to shop you’re probably not going downtown for dinner either.
5. On how the $15 minimum wage is an unbearable tax on businesses:
“It is clear to me that this is a direct tax on restaurants like we were some sort of vice like tobacco or marijuana. It is also a thinly veiled tax grab for the city. First the lusty new parking rates and now 20 to 25 percent more sales taxes on increased menu pricing. Shel Silverstein wrote an elegant morality tale called “The Giving Tree” and I’m afraid our leaders have not read it recently. Seattle’s City Council and Mayor attribute their election to the support of organized labor while we as a community are being eaten alive, limb by limb… This minimum wage issue could, depending on the outcome, be the most serious threat to our ability to compete so far.”
Now Seattle gets to watch this grand experiment unfold.
KellyKAFIR says
Let the Detriotification of Seattle begin! You businesses can come on down to Pierce county!
Numinous says
They are welcome in Clark County, too!!! Come on down! Cheaper building rents, cheaper housing and you can afford your staffing – all near the mighty Columbia river.
walmond says
Bremerton is just a ferry ride away! VERY low rent! And a newly renovated downtown! We need something other than the Shipyard! Please!
emorycc says
Without a doubt, the worst decision ever made! Way to jack up costs in Seattle! Now tourists will go to other cities to spend their money, locals will move out of the area because they can’t afford it anymore, well known businesses will move out of county or shrivel up and die, thousands will be unemployed due to inability to pay everyone, and Seattle’s tax income will drop through the floor! Not to mention the numerous amounts of college students at UW that will be transferring to a school they can afford. Why am I surprised that a group of uneducated, uninformed politicians managed to shoot themselves in the foot by destroying the city?
Artemis says
Bye!
cafeblue says
Yep. My son and I used to drive from north Idaho to Seattle to watch the Mariners and make a weekend out of it, generally twice a year, catching a Saturday night and Sunday matinee game before heading home. When one considers the cost of the tickets, (about 180 dollars on average for two games, two seats) plus the 50 dollars spent on food at the stadium per day, plus dinner, motel, breakfast the next day, parking and gas, the weekend costs nearly 500 dollars. Well, last time I looked into it, the motel went from 150 a night to 225. The restaurants are more expensive, gas is higher, game tickets are higher, parking is higher. And now the minimum age hike is going to make things even more expensive. Meanwhile, those of us who don’t earn minimum wage are taking a pay cut as we have to pay the higher prices of unskilled labor. And so we are staying home and watching the games on TV. That’s a thousand or so fewer dollars Seattle is getting from this household. I wonder how many thousands of other are making the same decision?
Diana says
Well and now the people who currently make more than $15/hr will feel like they need a wage increase . Not fair to the people who furthered their education to make more than the current minimum wage. As I like to say….minimum education, minimum talent, minimum knowledge equals minimum wage.
server says
I wouldn’t say that servers have minimal knowledge or education. I oversee a 4 star restaurant located with in a 5 star 5 diamond resort and my career servers who are minimum waged employees are some of the best career servers I have ever had the pleasure to work with. In regards to Seattle, by making a higher wage servers will see a lack in hours do to diminishing business demands as well as a lesser tip average being that the check cost is higher and dinners know why. n
Jjjjj says
Tips count as wages
delusionalmuch says
Not in the city of Seattle. Other cities can pay servers less than minimum wage and tips subsidize their wages to minimum wage and beyond, but that is not the case in Seattle. The minimum wage has to be paid as your base wage and tips are on top of that.
Chad says
NOT ANYMORE. With the price increase. Servers will now be making LESS than minimum wage because tips will count towards meeting the minimum. Just like in horrible states like Georgia.
MeanieHead says
Georgia isn’t a horrible state. Perhaps what is horrible is your state of mind.
Carlos says
Georgia isn’t horrible: it sucks.nnYou get your gun yet?
Betty Clouse says
No yours is dumbass!!
rockribbedrushy says
Just remember: Liberalism is a Mental Disorder!
Jay Randall says
That has always been my issue with Northwesterners-so enlightened, yet so comfortable with the last remaining socially acceptable bigotry. It’s cool to hate fat people and Southerners? Go somewhere and stop being so smug and joyless.
lori_myers says
you should probably do some more research…the new minimum wage increase IS reduced by tips AND insurance coverage provided by the employer.
rick1000f says
They will not get any more tips.
John Michael Gilday says
actually they will get LESS tips. nMany people are reducing standard tip to 10-15%, assuming $15/hr will offset tipsnnNot even close
IndyfromAZ says
Or the 20% (or so) increase in food cost to the consumer will make them less inclined to do so. 🙂
Robert R. Paulson says
They shouldn’t and whoever passed that into law is an idiot.
big b says
there will be a great increase who might beable to afford to eat out occasionally as well.
Keithan Rogers says
Did you really just say that? You realize the people who will now be making 15 dollars an hour will still not be able to afford to eat out right? At best if you are eating at a restaurant that grows its own vegetables and slaughters its own animals you will see a 20% increase in price. Since that is not a real thing you will see a 20%-30% increase in ingredients every step of the way. The guy who picks the veggies is getting paid more, the guy who delivers them, the guy who washes and preps them, and the guy who serves them. These costs will all be dropped onto the consumer because they will have to be. This minimum wage thing is pure socialism. I don’t have a problem with it either, but its the half assed job every government agency in the US is doing with it. Go full redistribution of wealth, subsidized everything, no private or public businesses. This hackjob of random people get free healthcare, random people get gauranteed wages is what is ruining our economy which is based on competition and skilled trades.
Maggie Moss says
I support a higher minimum wage, BUT I actually agree with your complaint about the inefficiencies of the government process. We need to do it one way or the other, not pick and choose.
Guest says
idiot
Carl Boyanton says
So now the bus boy will be making the same as the management! Again a total disincentive for anyone to work hard to better themselves! Who will be able to afford to go out to eat in Seattle? This will be a boon for surrounding cities and will remove a bunch of tax revenue for the city!
Eme says
CARL you are very wrong,.those managers that you are talking about they are nery LAZY. WE BUSBOYS AND SERVERS ARE BETTER WORKERS,WORK HARD FOR THE MONEY. THEY ARE VERY LAZY PEOPLE,IM TELLING YOU THAT FOR MY EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH MANE MANAGERS>ONLY A FEW ARE VERY GOOD ONESn20 YEARS EXPERIENCE PLUS> THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Rob says
I’ve found it in my experience that people like you don’t bother to learn what kind of responsibilities the boss has. You just think they sit around and do nothing while you work. That is probably why you can’t work your way past busboy.
Betty Clouse says
asshole aren’t you!! Quit putting him down you jerk you own any damn businesses bet not lazy ass!!
IndyfromAZ says
Then get a different job. 🙂
stupified says
You have been a busboy or server for 20 years, time to look in the mirror.
Richard Chen says
Boss has more responsibilities than collecting plates and silverware… and look at yourself, busboy for 20 years…
ryan says
That view is so anti american…..you wouldn’t have your precious i phone or tablet with out the engine that is the free market to type your socialist posts. Our founding fathers would be ashamed that they watched our blood brothers in liberty die to see such a things said by Americans. Your thoughts lead to unthinkable oppressive actions that you do not want buy are so spoiled you think that you can make things perfect by more regulation…..you got it good and your going to ruin it by wanting more government…
rockribbedrushy says
Did you really just say that someone making 31,000 is not able to eat out? Really? Really?
MeanieHead says
Damn you’re an idiot. You probably voted for Kwasharma Schwramama the communist queen.
IndyfromAZ says
You mean the ones who get laid off because their employer can’t afford a 60% increase in labor costs?
Robin Hood says
Funny, you’d rather taxpayers subsidize the boss, who …incidentally, has had record profits, right ???
IndyfromAZ says
So taxpayers are subsidizing a restaurant owner? Fascinating. Here I thought it was just “green tech” crap that fails or Union Cronies.
Robin Hood says
We pay for welfare, did you “think” it fell from the sky. moniKKKers ?
Sabalom Glitz says
I love your Thought Police Version of history. It’s hilariously misinformed.
Robin Hood says
I love your ran-dumb caps….nnnPossibly a stroke, get checked, your “friends” care…
IndyfromAZ says
And that food will cost them more. So in a few years you’ll be screaming that they aren’t making enough all over again. Liberals never learn anything.
Robin Hood says
So, you’re saying you hear screaming & inflation exists ???nnnWOW ! Good day for you, right ???nnnnnLMAO !
Sabalom Glitz says
Considering the number of idiot liberals I hear from on a daily basis that don’t know inflation exists I wouldn’t be so smug. But then again, that’s all you have intellectually anyhow so i guess you have to go with what you’ve got there RH.
Robin Hood says
Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !! I’m Sob… DuHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !
Sabalom Glitz says
So delusional childish you can’t even finish a sentence, that’s what you are.
Robin Hood says
Duhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhh !! I’m Sob… DuHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !
Get help, seriously…………………….
HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ~!
Sabalom Glitz says
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Robin Hood says
That’s cool, where did you learn that ???
LALALALAALALALALAALALALLLA !!!
Guest says
I comes naturally.
Robin Hood says
Too mindless to spell a 3 letter word, eh ???
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH AHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!
Sabalom Glitz says
It comes naturally.
Robin Hood says
Too mindless to spell a 3 letter word, eh ???
HAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Too mindless to make up a different reply I see (because there was no 3 letter word in my last reply). Try to keep up.
Robin Hood says
Such a ZERO !
HAHAHAHAHAHA AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHH !
Sabalom Glitz says
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Robin Hood says
Such a ZERO !
HAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHH !
Sabalom Glitz says
Here’s your $15/hr: http://legalinsurrection.com/2014/08/mcdonalds-replacing-cashiers-with-machines/
Robin Hood says
i guess, 2 !!
Duhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhh !! I’m Sob… DuHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !
Get help, seriously…………………….
HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ~!
Sabalom Glitz says
So this is the cut and paste childish insult of the day, wow, I’m underwhelmed
Robin Hood says
Duhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhh !! I’m Sob… DuHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !
Get help, seriously…………………….Urpp !!
HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
IndyfromAZ says
So when your labor cost goes up 60% what do you plan to do? That’s what the liberals just did in Seattle.
Robin Hood says
Since this is a 3 year plan, affects a small subset of society, & you’re moron…cool down, all right !!?
Sabalom Glitz says
Wow, still childish and name-calling like a 5 year old I see.
Robin Hood says
Since this is a 3 year plan, affects a small subset of society, & you’re moron…cool down, all right !!?nnFunny, you’d rather taxpayers subsidize the boss, who …incidentally, has had record profits, right ???
Sabalom Glitz says
You men like the GM Bailout. The Bank Bailouts. Solyndra and 15 other Solar Manufacturers. Not to mention their huge subsidies…No I wouldn’t think so…:)
Robin Hood says
It’s a minimum wage increase. GEEZ… get a Midol.
Sabalom Glitz says
It’s only $7/12 Trillion in new debt, what difference does it make? 🙂
Robin Hood says
Apples / Oranges, fruit cake….
Sabalom Glitz says
You really are clueless, fascinating…
Robin Hood says
You really are boring, fascinating…
IndyfromAZ says
You really have no idea how a restaurant works do you. But you’re far to narcissistic to know that.
Robin Hood says
It’s actually a minimum wage for ALL workers, but you’re clearly confused, right moniKKKErs ?
Sabalom Glitz says
Such a Hateful child.
Robin Hood says
Such a pointless POS….
Robin Hood says
Pretty amusing GM & Banks were Bush babies & you’re doing nothing, but hysterical blathering….
IndyfromAZ says
Oh really: nnu201cWhen I took office, the American auto industry u2013 the heartbeat of nAmerican manufacturing u2013 was on the verge of collapse. Two of the Big nThree u2013 GM and Chrysler u2013 were on the brink of failure, threatening to ntake suppliers, distributors and entire communities down with them. In nthe midst of what was already the worst recession since the Great nDepression, another one million Americans were in danger of losing theirn jobs.nAs President, I refused to let that happen. I refused to walk away nfrom American workers and an iconic American industry. But in exchange nfor rescuing and retooling GM and Chrysler with taxpayer dollars, we ndemanded responsibility and results.”–Obamannu201cHe had made the decision that this kind of change was necessary to kindn of signal to the public that there was going to be a real effort to nmake a fresh start,u201d Mr. Levin said. u201cThere wasnu2019t much point in arguingn whether or not it was fair or unfair, wise or unwise. It was a decisionn that he didnu2019t ask us about, he informed us of.u201d–Sen Levin (2009)nnSo your partisanship doesn’t jive with the facts.nnAnd GM has been profitable for a year and half but yet: The $11.2 billion loss includes a write-off in March of the government’s remaining $826 million investment in “old” GM, the quarterly report by a Treasury watchdog said.nSo are you bitching about those executives? Of Course not.nAll things that are bad belong to a President who hasn’t been in office for 6+ years because you have no balls to admit you’re wrong.
Robin Hood says
Yes, REALLY !!!nnThe emergency bailout of General Motors and Chrysler announced by President Bush on Friday gives the companies a fewn months to get their businesses in order, but hands off to President-elect Barack Obama the difficult political task of ruling on ntheir future. nnThe plan pumps $13.4 billion by mid-January into the companies from the fund that Congress authorized to rescue the financial industry. But the two companies have until March 31 to produce a plan for long-term profitability, including concessions from unions, creditors, suppliers and dealers. nnIn February, another $4 billion will be available for G.M. if the rest of the $700 billion bailout package has been released.
Sabalom Glitz says
Yeah, that’s why Obama bailed them out!! He was doing it on order from Bush…What a maroon!
Here’s a hint about GM: It’s called the UAW. 🙂
Banks: Hint- Big Democrat cronies. 🙂
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAAHahahh haahahahaha ahahahahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
And apparently your brain is jammed on the same response over and over again. Well, that’s what happens when you’re a liberal with limited intelligence.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE/BRAIN, copycat !!!
HHAHAAHah haha hahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Robin Hood says
And apparently, it annoys the he!! outta ya……
Poor baby, after I caught you in your obviously intentional math mistake, you’ve given me free head space….
SNICKER !!
Sabalom Glitz says
Such an immature child.
Sabalom Glitz says
And apparently, it annoys the he!! outta ya……
Poor baby, after I caught you in your obviously intentional math mistake, you’ve given me free head space….
SNICKER !! HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAhahahahahahahahahaahhHHAHAHAHAHAAHAHhaHAhahA !!!!
Robin Hood says
It’s OK to call me names, I don’t mind anonymous morons…at all, moron.
HAHAHHAHAAHAHHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHahhhaahhahahahHAHAAHAHAHAHAH !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Says the anonymous moron RH himself.
Robin Hood says
LMAO !
Poor SOB, you’re simply a partisan fool, worshiping at the trough of tainted teabagger….
Sabalom Glitz says
and you’re mindlessly repeating yourself again!
Robin Hood says
Why will they lose jobs, again ???
Seems the work is there & Seattle is growing everyday… GO for a long walk, you need less hate in your angry, miserable, existence…
Use ObamaCares, get a mental health screening STAT !!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA !!!!
FREE HEAD RENT !!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAhhhahhhahhhahhhahahahahhahahaahahh !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Translation-
Teacake is FRUSTRATED !!!
Robin Hood says
Well, that’s what happens (comma) when you’re a teahadist twit (comma) with limited intelligence.
LOVE “smart” baggers….
I just love your amazing sense of IRONY, honey.
HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHHA !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
And the liberal intelligentsia makes up more words that don’t exist.
Robin Hood says
Talking to yourself ?? ObamaCares !!!
HAHHAHAHAAHA !
Robin Hood says
Talking to yourself ?? ObamaCares !!!
Try Autoerotic Asphyxiation…PLEASE !!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAhahahh !!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Sorry, I already decided to leave you and your weird fetishes to you.
Robin Hood says
Why will they lose jobs, again ???
Seems the work is there & Seattle is growing everyday… GO for a long walk, you need less hate in your angry, miserable, existence…
Use ObamaCares, get a mental health screening STAT !!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA !!!!
FREE HEAD RENT !!!!
Try Autoerotic Asphyxiation…PLEASE !!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAhahahh !!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAhhhahhhahhhahhhahahahahhahahaahahh !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Yoy should taje youn own advice first: “GO for a long walk, you need less hate in your angry, miserable, existence…” and see a mental health professional yourself for this obsession with Asphyxiation, not very healthy.
Robin Hood says
I should taje ??
LMAO !
Duhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhh !! I’m Sob… DuHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !
Get help, seriously…………………….
HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ~!
Sabalom Glitz says
Uggg Uhhhh Ummmmm Gaga Googoo !! Yelp, whistle, grunt, grunt, oink !!!
LMAO
Sabalom Glitz says
Such a child you are. Take your own advice.
Robin Hood says
Snark, snark…Snark, snark, snark….
HAHAHH AAHAH HAHAHAAHH !!! HAHHAHAAHAHAHHAHAH ~~~ !!!
Robin Hood says
Snark, snark…Snark, snark, snark….
HAHAHHAHAAHAH HAHAHAAHH !!! HAHHAHAAHAHAHHAHAH ~~~ !!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Reached the Limit of your intelligence. What’s that 8 times with the same response. Maybe your hard drive crashed like Lois Lerner’s did.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE/BRAIN, copycat !!!
HHAHAAHahHAHHHAHAHAA ahhaha hahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
6. 🙂
Sabalom Glitz says
Keep telling yourself those lies. The Thought Police will thank you.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
Why don’t you find a life & a point, your irrational hatred is UNHEALTHY !
HHAHAAHahahhah ahahahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
5. bored now…
Robin Hood says
How could you get bored…with your “life” ???
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAhhahahahhaha !!!
Robin Hood says
I’ve heard dumb folks get bored & pointless a lot.
I’ve recommended a doctor, use your ObamaCares !!!
Robin Hood says
Try Autoerotic Asphyxiation…PLEASE !!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAhahahh !!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, that’s twice you’ve use that. So you must be much more familiar with it than me, dearie. A peek into the private life of a mindless liberal? Ya Little Weiner. 🙂
Robin Hood says
Try Autoerotic Asphyxiation…PLEASE !!
HAHAHAHAHAHAH AHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAhahahh !!!
Teahadist Twit says
You’ve been counting a lot of posts, putz….
Will you ever “achieve” a 10 count ?? Hardly HAR HAR !!! A peek into the private life of a mindless teahadist twit? Ya Little ZERO !! 🙂
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, you already did it in your mindless cut-and-pastes. So I leave you with that honor.
Robin Hood says
You’ve been counting a lot of posts, putz….
Will you ever “achieve” a 10 count ?? Hardly HAR HAR !!! A peek into the private life of a mindless teahadist twit? Ya Little ZERO !! 🙂
HAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHA !!! HAHAHAHAHA !!
Sabalom Glitz says
And you have no point.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
Why don’t you find a life & a point, your irrational hatred is UNHEALTHY !
HHAHAAHahahhah ahahahahahaah hahhaah hhahahahhahahahahhhhHAHHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAhaahHAAhahahahha!!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
4.
Sabalom Glitz says
Give me more Autoerotic Asphyxiation…PLEASE !!
Sabalom Glitz says
Well we know what you do in your spare time, dearie…. <>
Robin Hood says
Talking to yourself ?? ObamaCares !!!
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!! Get that random cap crapola checked, I’m sure you’re f’ed up !!!
Why don’t you find a life, originality, & a point, your irrational hatred is UNHEALTHY !
HHAHAAHahahhah ahahahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!! Get that random cap crapola checked, I’m sure you’re f’ed up !!!
Why don’t you find a life & a point, your irrational hatred is UNHEALTHY !
HHAHAAHahahhah ahahahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Oh look it’s the cut-and-paste response of the day. It cuts down on the usage of his limited brainpower.
Robin Hood says
Hint*
Unions = working American taxpayers. teacake….
Sabalom Glitz says
Hint: Unions bankrupted Detroit. They are the biggest Democratic Donors. So you habve to save your cronies…(as for being taxpayers- so am I, libby).
Sabalom Glitz says
Hint*
Unions = working American taxpayers. teacake….
Management killed Detroit, moron…
SNICKER !! HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAhahahahahahahahahaahhHHAHAHAHAHAAHAHhaHAhahA !!!!
Bushwhacker says
I habve ???
Do you HABVE ??
Sabalom Glitz says
Hint: Unions bankrupted Detroit. They are the biggest Democratic Donors.
So you have to save your cronies…(as for being taxpayers- so am I, deal with it).
Robin Hood says
Hint*
Bad management killed Detroit, beginning with George Rawmoney.
IndyfromAZ says
Are you capable of anything but childish replies??
Robin Hood says
Hey,
kindergarten called, they want their “mentality” back…
HHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHhahahahhaahahahahahhahahahahahahhaahahhhaahahahahhaahhahahahah !!!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Company-adds-living-wage-surcharge-after-minimum-wage-increase–262466051.htmlnMore to Come…
Robin Hood says
“I just really don’t see that being totally spread out among all the nemployees,” said Colville. “I’m sure that they’re going to end up makingn a pretty good profit from this under the guise of living wage.”nnnSo, your “premise” is the poor folks at the bottom are to blame for greedy management = your pals ???nnnnnPITIFUL ~!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
I love how illogical your mind doesn’t think anything through.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAAHahahhaha hahahaahahahahhaah !!!!
devol says
Wow. That’s funny coming from the jackass with over 7000 posts. And “robin hood” has some wonderfully life going postal on the people who generate all the wealth in America. The business owner. Nice life hood.
Robin Hood says
The business owner who lied, chickened out on the wager, & can’t “rent” a date ??
Get a life tadpole…
Sabalom Glitz says
You have no rational thought.
emorycc says
So are you saying you are willing to take any kid at McDonalds and guarantee they can do just as well at a 4-star restaurant? My experience in the Customer Service industry is you start at a crappy wage at McDonald’s and learn about customer service. If you want to improve your skills, you work for a greasy spoon/chain restaurant waiting on tables for minimum wage plus tips. But when you’ve earned your stripes and prove you are a skilled and professional waiter/waitress, you get to move up to the big leagues in a 4 star restaurant and get the nice wage PLUS tips. This little trail of experience equals an education. With education comes better pay. You can’t graduate straight out of high school and expect to be making enough bucks to live comfortably. Those that can accomplish that are rare, not because they are being paid minimum wage, but because they lack the focus to be serious about life so soon after leaving mom and dad’s house of rules. Many of them are not serious about a career because they are too busy “finding themselves.”
I don’t go to McDonalds for the sparkly personalities and professional service. Most of the employees I’ve run into in that restaurant act like if they could quit the job and be home playing their X-box without going broke, they would. It’s apparent in the many incorrect orders, the sloppy appearances and the general “I don’t give a crap” attitudes they express.
If you oversee a 4 star restaurant with in a 5 star 5 diamond resort and all your career servers are earning a minimum wage, then that makes you a crappy boss for not recognizing their talent and paying them the wage they deserve.
Max says
Hey Diana. Come take over my six table section for the night. Don’t screw up.
Chobb says
My company was going to to open a series of restaurants in Seattle but will now pass and move those jobs to other markets. It is simply a poor business decision to expand our company into a market like this because you cannot turn a profit without having a terribly expensive menu. Our prices are already high because of the ingredients used and labor. These politicians and people pushing for such pay will price themselves right out of a job/opportunities for their communities.
Julie says
If that’s your thought profit…I mean process…I encourage you to continue with that plan to go elsewhere to open your restaurants. And please take Tom’s restaurants with you too. #tirednocreativitycanyousay1990sn
Joe says
You have to make a profit to successfully stay in business and continue to grow! Do you think every business should be a non-profit model??? #ClearlyIgnorant #DoesntHaveAClue #WearsAssAsAHat
Corrin Chatterton says
Are you saying that profit should not be a factor when deciding on a business location? I am sorry but you sound like someone that has zero knowledge about business. A viable business has to turn a profit so it can continue to invest in itself or the community in which it resides. Profit is not the root of all evil as you may think it is but rather a necessary way to measure if a business is successful or not.
Eme says
ITIS A BUSINESSS SO YES <PROFITS<nbut PEOPLE have to live as well, LOOK at the prices for a brand new car.etc,nthat why you call it a bussiness.
RBT1 says
Well, Julie, I’m sure those people whose jobs also run away will thank you.
Allison Maryatt says
Yes!
Cliff says
July, July, July. Chobb’s company has no option but to take their businesses elsewhere. Restaurants in Seattle are going to become a losing proposition after the $15 min, their profit margin, which currently averages 4%, will plummet to -7%. Someone like yourself who does not value profit might be willing to give away your money so that your employees can make a “livable” wage, but REAL entrepreneurs are a lot smarter than that. The sad part is that there are businesses already in the Seattle market who will have to suffer the cost of relocation across city lines in order to survive.nnCapitol Hill will soon become a ghost town while Seattle will enjoy a reputation as the City stupid enough to torpedo its own economy. In two years, when most of these socialist labor shills are up for relocation, Seattle will already have started to collapse and people (even those who “made” $15 per hour will be looking for those politicians’ heads. I say “made”, because by that time they will have lost their jobs and won’t be able to find new ones.nnnSo toot tout socialist agenda and continue to think of profits as an evil concept, but, unless you work for the government, you would not have a job without profits.
MeanieHead says
Excellent response. School the communist tree-hugger granola-cruncher all the way back to California or Detroit.
Eme says
You are a stupit person, LOOK at NEW YORK CITY STUPIT.LOLOLOLOLOnyou are an IDIOT
Robin Hood says
Gotta suck to have a national mag say you’re pulling numbers outta your azz. According to Forbes magazine, the average restaurant profit margin in 2011 increased from 1.93 percent to 5.01 percent. That’s a 250 percent increase, so I guess it’s time to reward those workers…
MeanieHead says
Are you really that big of a MORON???????????? How many people do you know that open a business who expect to LOSE money????????? Unless they’re going to run a non-profit, EVERYONE is in business to make money. Take your communist attitude to California where they love people like you.
Eme says
YOu are an idiot. go ask the ower of Blue acre and he is going to tell you/.nHow much money is making or Tom Douglas how much they are making every year.nHe keeps opening restaurants, you are very stupit
Robin Hood says
According to Forbes magazine, the average restaurant profit margin in n2011 increased from 1.93 percent to 5.01 percent. That’s a 250n percent increase, so I guess it’s time to reward those workers…
Sabalom Glitz says
And what was the inflation in labor costs? Food Costs? Oh right, you don’t care about that–Mr Class Warrior, now do you? Wanna make a guess (Look it up on BLS inflation calculator) 🙂
Robin Hood says
Go ahead & do something, besides sniff my droppings, nanny stater…..nnLMAO !nnnnnnLabor gets 60% in 3 years of the 250% increase, guess the rest is ENOUGH PROFIT !!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Irrational, immature and mindless. Just what I expect from a Liberal. Congrats.
Robin Hood says
Love the IRONY !!!nnLMAO !nnAs for paying you more to blather, I’d rather pay you more to shut up… Contact info ???nnCome on, stand behind your words..
Sabalom Glitz says
Sabalom Glitznn1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW nWashington, D.C. 20220
Robin Hood says
I see you’re a dishonest, cowardly, troll….nnnWe ALL knew.nnnLMAO !
Sabalom Glitz says
When in Rome…
Robin Hood says
You have no point or integrity, WE get it…nnCalling the working poor names ? SAD !!
Sabalom Glitz says
And you have no clue.
Robin Hood says
And…you have no life.
Robin Hood says
I takes a few years to build a profitable business & anyone who opens a business better love the work…..nnnYou CLEARLY, have never opened anything bigger, than your yap.
IndyfromAZ says
Yeah, because profit is evil!! You have no idea how business actually works do, especially not restaurants.nYou have been brainwashed by Class Warfare sociopaths. Congrats, the Thought Police are proud of you.
Robin Hood says
Actually, wages you can’t live on are evil…. CONGRATS, you offered nothing…per usual.
IndyfromAZ says
Gee my first job only paid 4.25/hr and I survived. A concept you won’t be able to understand. So how long before you decide $15/hr is a “slave” wage and no one can live on it?
Robin Hood says
Funny, your first wage was before Bush Sr…Usually, you’re denying either Bush existed…nnnnnLMAO !nnGo take your stool softener, grandpa…
IndyfromAZ says
So is every city in America the same? And what is a “living wage” in Seattle is it the same in Pocatello, Idaho? and what is a “living wage” specifically. Is that a Big Screen TV, a Car, a Cell Phone, Internet, etc? What is a “living wage”?
Robin Hood says
Since we’re on a Seattle wage board, perhaps you’re a moron ???
IndyfromAZ says
Oh by the way, Walmart is hiring in North Dakota for $5/hr WITHOUT GOVERNMENT MANDATES. Mind that is because of Liberal Hated Politically incorrect Jobs in the Oil Industry creating more jobs and more wealth in the community. But I bet you’d like to destroy those jobs because you don’t like Oil Companies. 🙂
Robin Hood says
LMAO !nnnnnDon’t worry about honest facts …..
Robin Hood says
My company will open restaurants in ANY successful city & Seattle Area is explosive !!
IndyfromAZ says
What company is that?
Robin Hood says
You’re a pathetic political putz that argues because of bitterness, so you don’t get personal investment info, blow hole…nnnLMAO ! I will say, it’s run by a woman, which will probably irritate you, right ??nnn
Sabalom Glitz says
Wow, is this guy for real? He talks like an elementary student. Your employees must love working for someone so immature.
Robin Hood says
You’re hearing talking, moniKKKers ??nnnnnWOW !nnnAre you for real ? Hey, tell me your SSI number, otherwise you’re an illegal….nnnnnnnYOUR LOGIC, dick…
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, youre party had a Speaker of The House who was a Grand Wizard of The KKK you know, or was that no on the Daily Kos?nSSI: You first. Since you’re so concerned.
Robin Hood says
LMAO !nnnnnyoure ??? Blah, blah, blah !! Well, if YOU had thought yourself, you’d not be so brainwashed by class warfare.
Sabalom Glitz says
Nope. Just an ABSOLUTE fact. Sorry to burden you with it. 🙂
Robin Hood says
You haven’t posted a decent fact, your entire LIFE !nnnThe KKK bs, the man apologized for as a Democrat…
Robin Hood says
I really doubt either of us voted for Byrd & he renounced racism…so, you have no relevant point & little intelligence…it seems.nnnAs for personal info, I simply pointed out it’s hypocritical to ask & you’re dumbly deflecting.
Sabalom Glitz says
Oh, so if I say I renounced racism (which I never been to begin with) I can criticize Obama and not be a Raci then,eh? And your raci crack to me makes you one. Simply delicious irony. After all, Byrd was still a Democrat and a KKK Grand Wizard. And the Southern DEMOCRATS were the ones opposed to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. So the truth is so much sweeter than your silly insults.
Robin Hood says
LMAO !nnnnnYeah, an individual is all Democrats, which makes you Sterling, the racist…
Sabalom Glitz says
See what I mean. It’s all you,baby.
Robin Hood says
See what I mean. It’s all you, bagger…
Sabalom Glitz says
<<> I hear the childish call of a Robin Hood Parrot…
Robin Hood says
Still a loser, under a new moniker ?
Robin Hood says
If the post was childish, it’s nice you wrote it, tea tw@t.
Sabalom Glitz says
First Midol, now female anatomy, boy you really hate women don’t you. So are you a Robin Men in Tights?
Robin Hood says
If the post was childish, it’s nice you wrote it, tea tw@t.
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, since you have no respect for women…
AZfromIndy says
He asked your other name for the SSI, you slipped, son.
Robin Hood says
Will you be sending me any income you make over $9.32…..nnnIt would be a really sincere move, to walk the BS you’re spewing….
Sabalom Glitz says
I’m sure as liberal who demands that people who work for a living give you more and more of their money I will eventually be forced by people like you to do so.Thus you can feed your insatiable appetite for more and more money. After all, that is the democratic way. 🙂
Robin Hood says
Actually, nnnnYou’ll simply be paying folks who earn wages “enough” to not need public subsides, second jobs, & have hope for their future…nnnEveryone needs a living wage & your childish redirection are pointless…
Sabalom Glitz says
And your leech who just wants everyone else to pay for your greed. Sorry, you’ll get no sympathy from me. I worked 2 jobs, 19 hours a day for 2 1/2 years because I was self-reliant enough to do it myself and not depend on others. How about you hot shot?
Robin Hood says
“You’re” a proven liar & kinda boring, babe….nnnYou’re just a leech that wants free labor, from the folks who can’t afford to continue serving you.nnYou’ll simply be paying folks who earn wages “enough” to not need public subsides, second jobs, & have hope for their future…nnEveryone needs a living wage & your childish redirections are pointless…
Sabalom Glitz says
I love when liberal lose an argument and they just start calling people “liars”. Very humorous.
Robin Hood says
Last post it was “lairs”…… Very humorous.
IndyfromAZ says
So your assertion of “my company” is bogus then. Not surprising.
Robin Hood says
So, you cannot narrow down restaurant chains run by women ??? Not surprising.nnnLMAO !
IndyfromAZ says
Sorry, your illogical speech is too hard to follow.
Robin Hood says
Are you high & stupid ?
Robin Hood says
So, you’re an illegal alien, huh ??nnnnnIf not, I’ll need your SSI, Photo ID, & bank account numbers….nnnnnDumb game, but I’m happy to “play”.
Kyle says
Hey Max. I did that in college. You know, when I didn’t have the skills or experience to do much else that demanded more than minimum wage. I could take your section, would you like to take my surgical cases this evening? You’ll make a lot more than minimum wage…don’t screw up.
Biscuitfruit says
So what you’re saying is that a surgeon should be able to make a living wage (likely a grossly inflated one at that), but not a waiter.
Dave says
Yep they should. They are providing a much more valuable and scarce service than a waiter. There are more than enough high schoolers and college students to wait tables. It’s not personal it’s just the way that it is. Those jobs were never designed to be the sole source of income for a family…stop forcing a square peg into a round hole.
Hardbody says
The problem with this argument is that you presume that everyone has equal opportunities when it comes to jobs and education. Just because you don’t qualify to be a surgeon doesn’t mean you don’t qualify to live.
Cliff says
When you say not everyone has the same opportunities, I agree. The reason some have fewer opportunities is because they sit back and hope someone will hand them those opportunities. Some are born rich, but for the vast majority of us, opportunities are MADE, not found. Those who WANT to better themselves will. All the rest settle for dead-end jobs that don’t require them to make any effort beyond driving to work. If they don’t want to work for it, I don’t want them to have it.
MeanieHead says
Everyone starts out the same buddy. An infant. It’s not the taxpayer’s job to give you an education or make sure you start out on the same line as a Rockefeller. There are countless people in history who started out dirt poor and ended up filthy rich. Buy a clue.
Chad says
I’ve been a server and I never had trouble making a livable wage in Washington. During college/out of college. Trust me it ISN’T servers arguing for 15 dollar minimum wage. They are ONE of the groups about to be screwed by this. They will be MAKING LESS NOW.
cliff says
I feel your pain, Chad. Any server who works his tables well comes home with so much in tips, the salary is inconsequential. I know dozens of servers who bank between $25 and $40. They can count on those tips drying up when the general population realizes those servers are getting paid $15/hr. nnThanks, Mr. Ed.
Cliff says
er, that was “…between $25 and $40 per hour”
me says
I made more being a waitress in 4 days than I do as a nurse working 4 days a week. If the minimum wage goes up to $15, I think I will put down my stethoscope and start waiting tables again. Don’t think I would be the only on to jump on the ban wagon. Why spend money to better you education if you don’t need to.
assassinave says
Then you’re a poor nurse then. Nurses don’t get paid $31,200 a year (Full time wage at $15/hour). Medical assistants maybe, but not nurses. So I’m guessing anonymous troll.
Carla Shellenberger says
Nurses pay nearly 30% of their wages to unions, then have to pay for malpractice insurance so take home may well be less! You really should learn more about a subject before opening your mouth!
Eme says
A nurse with aducation makes 70000.00 ayear. come on.nI used to date a girl that was going to go to school and get a degree in order to make that much. hello ???????
cattttt says
Your average floor nurse at a hospital does not make 70k a year. More like 50-60k a year.
Robin Hood says
Your actual mistake was missing how the server’s bills are paid on a night with cheap tippers….
Robin Hood says
You tip based on what the worker makes ?? Bet it’s interesting watching you ask at every dining establishment.
timemag01 says
Yes thats what he is saying. You cant do nothing in life and expect to live like a king. That is lazy and disgusting. He has worked so hard to have that life and so did I. I didnt smoke pot and drink my life away living pay check to pay check. I invested every dollar and minute into my industry and I am being rewarded for it. You cant take the easy way out in life and expect to get something out of it.
YourKiddingMe says
Kyle, you are an idiot ! Yes a surgeon should make way more than a server ! Now go get me a water !
Hardbody says
I hope you realize you insulted the wrong person. Try to think next time before you presume to call someone an idiot.
LN says
No, YOU’RE an idiot.
YourKiddingMe says
okay how about this… You are all idiots !! Better now ? GFY !
MeanieHead says
With a lemon slice 😀
Graves graves says
You don’t understand business with an answer like that it’s not that simple
Jim Trent says
Did you just try and compare a surgeon who has to go through years of schooling, years of internship, a butt load of student debt to someone who can walk into the job and learn it in 5 minutes? No wonder this country is in trouble. You think waiters and surgeons should be equal or close to on pay scale. We can live without someone making our sandwiches for us. We would be in a world of trouble without surgeons. Next time you have to go see a doctor or surgeon remember to bring up this discussion about waiter and surgeon and their wages. Oh and you might want to go ahead and make a second appointment with another doctor because I don’t think you would be seen by that one anymore.
Eme says
JIM THINK DONT BE A REGULAR AMERICAN. the problem with this country is the system with BANKERS, look the fucked our economy and the Goverment helped the banks.this is not the problem with our Goverment in Seattle.THINK THINK.
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, if you had thought yourself, you’d not be so brainwashed by class warfare.
Robin Hood says
Blah, blah, blah !! Well, if YOU had thought yourself, you’d not be so brainwashed by class warfare.
Sabalom Glitz says
<<>> is there a Robin Hood Parrot in here?
Robin Hood says
Look how “cleverly” you switched from a “lunch hour” to a full day’s labor….nnAre you a complete idiot or INSANE !!!!!nnLMAO !nnYeah, you “used” new math & if it were a woman, she’d SCREAM RAPE !!!nnIf you have to lie, you realize you’re wrong, RIGHT ???
Robin Hood says
Poor baby, is your “life” really made of of hateful nonsense ???nnDonate time at a food bank…nnAs for paying you more to blather, I’d rather pay you more to shut up… Contact info ???nnCome on, stand behind your words..
Sabalom Glitz says
Already did (food Bank that is). I have also worked at a Homeless Shelter. Have younOr are you just a mouthy little partisan??
Robin Hood says
I don’t share with psychos & you’re a proven liar, hon…nnnnnLMAO !
Sabalom Glitz says
In other words, you’re just a mouthy little partisan.
Robin Hood says
I don’t share with psychos & you’re a proven liar, hon…nnLMAO !
Sabalom Glitz says
So you don’t share with your God, Obama then, eh.
Robin Hood says
Do you ever read your drivel ?nnnGeez racist, you’ve embarrassed yourself.
Robin Hood says
Between lying about your address & ” work(ing) 2 jobs, 19 hours a day for 2 1/2 years”? nnnnHon, you’re a cheap, moronic, partisan lying loser… No, not (lair), loser. Stay away from Seattle.
Sabalom Glitz says
I intend to. Especially with childish immature people like you around.
Robin Hood says
Good, then you can stick your nose shareware, unless you’re a liar…nnOH RIGHT !!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Your nose is shareware. Ewww…
Robin Hood says
You brain is stuck in 3rd grade mode…
Sabalom Glitz says
I’m glad you recognize yourself. It is hard to think down to your level.
Robin Hood says
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Robin Hood says
Especially, with your complete lack of intelligent comment on ANY thread’s subject matter….
Sabalom Glitz says
Just keeping it at your level, dearie. Don’t want you to get over your head.
MeanieHead says
I hate to burst your communist bubble-headed way of thinking, but in the olden days minimum wage jobs were NEVER meant to be a living wage. Normally, people took those jobs on their way up the scale… like kids and retired people who needed something to do because they were bored. Sure, you can say life has changed, but it’s because the mentality of the voters has changed into being takers instead of productive members of society. You want free this and free that without having to lift a finger to EARN it. There is not one taxpayer on God’s green Earth that OWES YOU ANYTHING. Nothing. Nada. Zip. If you want something, EARN IT.
Robin Hood says
They are earning it & they’re going to be paid for it, now. $15 in today’s buying power is the same minimum wage we got…nnnnnGet a grip, people.
Sabalom Glitz says
Until the cost of the things they are buying goes up. I bet by the time the next generation comes around you’ll be screaming that $15/hr is a “slave” wage again. People like you are so greedy with everyone else’s money.
Robin Hood says
Seems calling me greedy for wanting a fair wage for workers is nothing, but moronic rhetoric…nnnnnI’ll happily pay more, to help fellow Americans avoid welfare, second jobs, & missed meals…
Sabalom Glitz says
Go right ahead. But why do I have to? You can pay it for me, since your so generous.
Robin Hood says
You have to, because we’re a democracy….nnActually, wages you can’t live on are evil…. CONGRATS, you offered nothing…per usual.
Sabalom Glitz says
But you want to pay more. So why not pay for me too! 🙂 Or are you going to be insensitive and intolerant??
Robin Hood says
I’m going to help the folks who need it & I’ll happily refer you to a good shrink, hon …nnnAs for paying you more to blather, I’d rather pay you more to shut up… Contact info ???nnnCome on, stand behind your words..
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, obviously any recommendations for a shrink would be dubious consider how much they’ve failed you.
Robin Hood says
Apples / Oranges, fruit cake….A living wage paid by the profit making companies can help wean folks off the government…& nit DOES take money to survive, hon….nnI see you’re a coward… Imagine that…nnnLMAO !
Sabalom Glitz says
But Democrats want you dependent on them. They are the pimp daddies and their crack is $$$.
Robin Hood says
Democrats want a fair wage…. Nothing more, here, dear.
Sabalom Glitz says
Bwah hahahahahahahahahhanBwah hahahahahahahahahhanBwah hahahahahahahahahhanBwah hahahahahahahahahhanBwah hahahahahahahahahhanBwah hahahahahahahahahhanBwah hahahahahahahahahhanBwah hahahahahahahahahhanBwah hahahahahahahahahhanBwah hahahahahahahahahhanNow that was genuinely funny!
Robin Hood says
Democrats want a fair wage…. Nothing more, here, dear.
Robin Hood says
Last couple dozen responses have been useless as “intelligence”, congratulations…nnnB@gger wall of shame…nnFolks are hungry & hurting, your solution…. Partisan BS from the Faux B-lame bored…
Guest says
Well, I don’t to overload the intellect you’ve demonstrated, so I have I am thinking down to hyour level.
Robin Hood says
I am thinking down to hyour level.nnnIrony is nice…..
Sabalom Glitz says
Just keeping it at your intellectual capacity, dearie.
Robin Hood says
Last couple dozen responses have been useless as “intelligence”, congratulations…nnB@gger wall of shame…nnFolks are hungry & hurting, your solution…. Partisan BS from the Faux B-lame bored…
Sabalom Glitz says
Wow, you even type like a 5 year old.
Robin Hood says
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sabalom Glitz says
You’re so sleepy. Must be time for you nap.
Robin Hood says
Thanks for your “valuable comments” on the minimum wages… ??nnLMAO !nnWe noticed you have nothing intelligent, under ANY moniKKKer…nnLMAO !
Sabalom Glitz says
Oh, look it’s the cut-and-paste robin hood parrot poking it’s silly little beak out again.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAA haahahahahahaahahahahhaah !!!!
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAAHah ahahahahaahahahahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
And you apparently ran out of intelligence.
Sabalom Glitz says
More narcolepsy.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAAHah hhahaahahahah ahahahahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sabalom Glitz says
Got nothing left in the intelligence department I see.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAAHahahhahaahahahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAAHahahhahaa hahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
11.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE/BRAIN, copycat !!!
HHAHAAHahahhaha hahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
9.
Sabalom Glitz says
10.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!HHAHAAHahahhahaahahahahahaah hahhaah !!!
Sabalom Glitz says
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAAHahahha aahahahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Robin Hood says
Now, that was typically teabagger tw@t useless, right ?nnFunny, you love “babies” til they’re born, then you don’t want their families to provide food ???
Sabalom Glitz says
I love a good Liberal extremist logical fallacy and so childishly done. Congrats.
Robin Hood says
I see, you have the typical lack of intelligent answer…CONGRATS !!!
Sabalom Glitz says
And you’ve reached the limit of your childish insults and intelligence and have started repeating yourself.
Robin Hood says
So unimaginative.
Sabalom Glitz says
Yes, you are. Glad you recognize it.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAAHahahhahaahahahahahaahahahahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
12 responses. All the same. Typical Liberal. Very limited intelligence.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE/BRAIN, copycat !!!
HHAHAAHahHAHgaggaagag WHEW ~~~HHAHAHAA ahhaha hahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Make that 5. 🙂
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE/BRAIN, copycat !!!
HHAHAAHa AHgaggaagag WHEW ~~~HHAHAHAA ahhaha hahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Counting responces ??? WEAK & USELESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, thanks for the elementary school spew.
Robin Hood says
Hey Vanna,
Wanna buy a verb ?? Typical con, failed in life, school, writing, & can’t live by the golden rule…
Golden Rule: Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You.
U SMURT, U say so, write ?
Sabalom Glitz says
Such a child.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAAHahahhahaaha ahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
Why don’t you find a life & a point, your irrational hatred is UNHEALTHY ! FRUIT CUP !!!
HHAHAAH hahhah ahahahahahaah hahhaah hhahahahhahahahahhhhHAHHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAhaahHAAhahahahha!!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
cut-and paste, dearie. that’s what your limited intelligence is good at.
Teacake says
Some sort of come on ? No thanks, I prefer humans…
Robin Hood says
Hey,
kindergarten called, they want their “mentality” back…
HHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHhahahahhaahahahahahhahahahahahahhaahahhhaahahahahhaahhahahahah !!!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
You have one to begin with?? Amazing!!!, someone call the Discovery Channel.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAAHahahha ahahahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Robin Hood says
As “intelligent” as any troll’s tripe…nnnnnA living wage lessens dependance, dimwit.nnnLMAO !
Sabalom Glitz says
Yes, I’m sure your Class Warrior Masters drilled that into you so you could spew the pablum out like a good little soldier. The Facts, well, you don’t care about those.
Robin Hood says
Thanks for your contribution…of “facts”.nnnHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHHAHAHAAH A~A~A~~!~!
Robin Hood says
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sabalom Glitz says
So unimaginative.
Robin Hood says
Thanks for your “valuable comments” on the minimum wages…nnnnnLMAO !nnnnnWe noticed you have nothing intelligent, under ANY moniKKKer…nnnLMAO !
Robin Hood says
Look like a nanny stater comment & I’m insensitive and intolerant of cheapo beggars….
Sabalom Glitz says
You hate poor people. Good to know.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAAHahahhah ahahahahaahahahahhaah !!!!
Robin Hood says
I’m sure, WE ALL pay for you, your Cheapness…
Sabalom Glitz says
As you wish, Robin “The Earl of Huntington” Hood. 🙂
Robin Hood says
When you can’t be original, be moronic… “work” to your “strength”.
Robert R. Paulson says
Great answer Kyle.
Chad says
Max, I worked my way through college working at least a 6 table section, so I would not have to work the before mentioned 6 table section now that I am 35. I continued in the restaurant business for a couple years after college due to making more money than I could using my degree. I am not saying this to knock waiters/waitresses, but they make pretty damn good money considering what they do (I lived a pretty good life in college). But, these service people do have people skills, that the back of the house usually do not have. A dishwasher, that did not graduate high school, does not deserve to make $31,200/year working a standard 40 hour work week.
quack says
Max, you make more with tips than you do with a standard 15 dollar wage. It’s horrible for servers. And if you can’t handle a 6 table section… you shouldn’t be serving. =)
M says
Most people in the industry have college degrees.
bob says
………………..nnnI’m sure all the waitresses, hostesses, and prep cooks are college grads.
Maggie Moss says
You might be surprised at the number whom are, ESPECIALLY in Seattle.
Alaskan Girl says
Diana, that is a pretty harsh (unsubstantiated) statement. Have you ever worked in this particular service industry?
bob says
Harsh?
Edie says
I have and agree it takes a lot of skill; more skill than working at a fast food restaurant or many other minimum wage jobs. That’s why you get tips. I heard that tipped employees may be given less than the 15 per hour. Don’t know if that’s true but if so not fair to those tipped employees that do require more skill!
Scott M Perry says
It’s not about whether they are skilled, or good at what they do, or even educated. It is simply about how much people value those skills. The compensation they “deserve” is in exact proportion to the value of what they produce according to the people they produce it for. You can make the argument that their services are undervalued, but that is a decision you have the moral right to make with your own earned resources, not other peoples’. And unlike many other industries, there is a direct system for you as an individual to set that value judgment with your own resources… it’s called tipping. nnnIt is simply immoral to coerce other people to use the fruits of their labor to advocate for and express your set of values. Forcing others to take responsibility for YOUR convictions is not the answer. Let other people worry about their consciences and hows about you worry about your own, huh? nnnThat’s the moral/philosophical argument since you wanted to have it, the practical one is the article.
cafeblue says
Bingo! Doubling someone’s pay simply because they want or need it is a poor business model when they don’t add any more value to the business. I work in construction and we pay at least 15 dollars an hour for new trainees and start them at 18 when they’re ready to solo because what we do is a specialty skill (interior finish carpentry) that requires knowledge, experience, tools, and finesse. We couldn’t pay 8 dollars an hour and get anybody worth a crap to do the job. But a good carpenter who can build staircases and rails, fireplace mantels, etc will make the company money even if he’s making $28/ hour because of the value he adds to the business. It also takes him years to get good at it. Contrast that with paying the kid at McDonald’s 15 bucks and hour and you have just created massive labor inflation, since it is not tied to market forces. Anyone can be trained o work at McDonald’s in a single day. If anyone can do a job, then the demand for bodies is low because so many of them are available. That is the reason low skill work pays less than brain surgery or rocket science. Market forces determine wages and prices. When some politicians around a table who know zip about economics and have never had to meet a payroll decide that it’s a great election issue, they throw a wrench into the market. But the market will adjust, in the form of fewer jobs and higher prices to absorb the hit. So in the end, the people the increased minimum wage is supposed to help take the biggest hit as fewer jobs are open to them and the gains they see short term are quickly eaten away by the inflation their raise costs.nnnBy the way, what these geniuses seem unaware of is that a 15 dollar an hour employee costs the employer nearly $19/hr as he has to cover 7.5% of social security, Medicare, worker’s comp, unemployment insurance and so on.
Chris Warren says
Let’s not forget the politics. You now have Democrats pointing their fingers at those who did not support the minimum wage increase with a “See, they don’t care!” attitude, “so vote for us.” Which, of course, the minimum wage labor force buys 100%…at least until the jobs start drying up. The reality is that the government is the only winner. Higher wages means higher tax bracket, more money into the government. Higher prices equals higher revenue that business is forced to pay taxes on…more money into the government. Higher costs for products include a sales tax…more money into the government. The only winner…the government.
Carla Shellenberger says
DING DING DING we have a winner!
Robin Hood says
It’s the vote of the people, son…. All the blathering about who puts the money in the till & who deserves what share of it, comes down to democracy….nnnnnSam Walton once illegally shorted thousands of employees. When the court ordered it paid back, Walton cut a check & enclosed a note,,,cash this check & you’re FIRED….nnnnnToday, Americans deserve better & we’ll happily vote representatives who agree.
Scott M Perry says
Spoken like a true moral relativist. nnnYou say that “democracy” is the way to justly distribute wealth in a society. I say the authority to distribute other people’s money is, itself, unjust. Ever heard of the democratic process with regards to two wolves and a lamb voting on the dinner menu? Pure democracy doesn’t lead to justice – it is nothing more than organized mob rule. It is the purpose of a republic, like the U.S. is supposed to be, to protect inalienable rights so that 51% of the population is prevented from voting away the fundamental rights of the other 49%. This is what is meant by being “…a nation of laws, not men”. nnnThe foundation of human rights comes from the premise that you own yourself and the fruits of your labor. All human rights violations – whether perpetrated by a government or a private entity – involve, at their core, a violation of this self-ownership principle. nnnAnother example of a violation of this principle is the 19th century SCOTUS decision granting corporations the rights of personhood. This effectively shifted responsibility for corporate decisions from the individuals making them, to “the public” via government safety net systems. With the public assuming liability, corporations, like those owned by Sam Walton, were free to make bold power plays in the market that led to the dominance of corporations we see today. Part of this domination, that is unique to the corporation, includes the ability to illegally short thousands of employees. nnnYou’re right, Americans do deserve better. Unfortunately, continuing to prescribe the source of the problem as the solution to it, as minimum wage laws do, only makes matters worse.
Robin Hood says
So, your “premise/proof” is people are wolves ??nnnSorry, I don’t buy your BS….nnnnnLMAO !nnnnnTry selling fertilizer, discussion forums are the place for crappy “logic”.
Scott M Perry says
If you want to stoop to attacking me personally that is your affair. I’m interested in ideas, not pissing competitions.nnnThe wolf in this analogy is the majority, while the lamb is the minority. If you believe in a pure democracy then you must have been in favor of slavery up until about 150 years ago.
Robin Hood says
I didn’t insult you personally & using outta norm examples, to tell me what I believe in…. is particularly pointless…nnnOf course, YOU need to define terms… (CHORTLE).nnFunny, you picked the wolf to represent the weaker group financially…nnn(Snicker)…….
Alk says
Boo
Jacqueline says
Out of the Forbes 400, 63 members have just a high school diploma–although many honary degrees have followed. Billionaires include: Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Sean Parker, Dustin Moskovitz, Phil Ruffin and John Paul DeJoria. -Forbes.com
Scott M Perry says
Exactly. Thank you. This is because education does not necessarily equal value created. It is how you leverage the skills you acquire in Education (or elsewhere, as those 63 demonstrate) to better the lives of others ACCORDING TO THEM, not a centralized bureaucracy, with no natural right to expropriate the property of individuals.
Pos7al says
Note: You said education does not equal value created, then go on to say it matters how you leverage the skills from education. That sounds like you just said x does not equal y, then y = x. Haha. Education matters. Get one, however you can.
Chad says
Clearly your education failed you. He said X does not equal Y. We’ll call the KEY WORD Leverage= LnThen we use X * L = Y.
Jillian says
I don’t even have a highschool diploma. I got my GED at age sixteen, started working full time, then eventually went to trade school at age eighteen. I was able to purchase my house, by myself, at age twenty. Education helps, but it isn’t everything.
Pos7al says
Without that education though, you wouldn’t be where you are today. (Education/Trade School) My company will not consider you unless you have earned a 4-year degree.
Chad says
That’s because your company has an idiotic hiring policy. But hey lets support the BS college system that rakes in billions to not get you a job.
Keithan Rogers says
No, that is because the market has decided college degrees are the new hiring standard.
Pos7al says
Wow, you do realize these people are insanely smart and gifted, right? Zuck and Mosko were both attending Harvard when they created Facebook. Harvard, meaning that they were pretty damn smart to be able to get in to that school in the first place. If you have a higher ed, you will now be a leading candidate over others when this wage hits. Sure, there are rare instances when the uneducated utilize hard work to improve their financial well being… But schooling and education would quickly put you in the lead.
Dev says
I have less than minimum education, but have great talent, ability and desire. I have worked very hard to get to where I am now, and do not support this mandate. Businesses will have to cut services as well as manpower at the very least to absorb these costs if they are able to at all
NickyPR says
Minimum talent? With a masters in communication I simply see that my bartending gig working three days a week yields more money than any available job openings. And my fiance who is currently in medical school at UDub needs her serving job to help pay her way. So…. minimum education on the legistics of the topic, respectfully that goes to you. When polled the majority of the people doing these jobs in the service industry say they are currently enrolled in classes furthering their education. Thus, attempting to gain higher knowledge so they aren’t stuck in these jobs forever. With the raise in minimum wage prices go up, guest numbers goes down along with prospective tips. Money they will use hopefully to help pay for living expenses and schooling. Not to say that all the people in the industry are trying to further their education. I’m a bar manager, I see those bums that serving tables is it for them. But for those that are indeed trying to find higher education for a better future to become doctors, CEO’s, and lawyers, this increase is going to have an affect on their ability to find said education.
Guest says
I dont deserve minimum wage. I work in a factory. I have amazing talents at what i do in everything in life so suck my dick
Robin Hood says
As I like to say, cook at home if all you’re offering workers is insults….
Sabalom Glitz says
SO SAYETH THE INSULT KING!
Robin Hood says
As I like to say, cook at home if all you’re offering WORKERS is insults….
Sabalom Glitz says
Then you must be a Top Chef in your own Home. Congrats.
Robin Hood says
Go out pretty often, but I’m successful & willing to pay.nnGeez, if you have nothing intelligent about THIS TOPIC, just leave…It’s a minimum wage increase. GEEZ… get a Midol.
Sabalom Glitz says
Then you must give up all your “excess” money it’s only “fair”. 🙂
Robin Hood says
Are you saying you’re a commie ?? nnnnOh right…. blathering BS, because you ran outta “intelligent”…long ago.
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, since you are all about being “fair” and “equal” and you make so much money you can afford to give it away, right. After all, you don’t want to be a greedy hoarding capitalist now do you?
Robin Hood says
Well, since you want to spend my money, earn it, honey…nnnLike these workers.
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, you haven’t earned spending my money but you want it anyhow. So I guess you’ll to come down to Van Buren St here. 🙂
Robin Hood says
What’s it like, to be a moron child, dear ?nnnnnWell, since you want to spend my money, earn it, honey…nnLike these workers, you hate…..n
Robin Hood says
Then you must earn it, like the minimum wage folks do…. it’s only “fair”.nnn 🙂
IndyfromAZ says
But now people will be “equal” and it will be “fair”. right? 🙂 (sarcasm).
Farty Fartsalot says
Yet you probably live off your husband like every other dignified American woman…
LMAO ! says
AL ways had a minimum wage & the chance to better themselves COSTS MONEY !!!
CementCityBoy says
Now that the peasants got their raise, the king will demand more of their money. Time to raise taxes on every thing you do, by executive order of course and regulatory fiat.
wwittman says
When was the economy better? When taxes were at the 1960’s rates? At the 1990’s rates? Or now at historically low rates not seen since the 20’s?nn
Chad says
Basically if by KING, you mean the local business owners. Because watch how everyone who owns a business suddenly makes a LOT MORE money.
skinsidedown says
Disaster for restaurants, period. Good luck with your chain crap, Seattle. It’s all you’ll have left shortly.
jimbo8118 says
Just maybe it is time to not offer $150 burgers.. not import truffles.. not increase the offering that leaves 99% of the diners out?.. Do you think this will affect the top drawer restaurants? Not on your life.. they will defer the costs and increase a bottle of wine from $200 to $300.. the top end “douglas” style restaurants will get their due. .they may have to move to less expensive digs.. not embellish the spaces with disturbingly expensive nic nacks.. not hire the most expensive wine folks.. eliminate very expensive “chef table” dinners. Don’t kid yourself. .Douglas may have to move to a “normal” area.. and send his kids etc. .to “regular” schools.. come on.. check out his spending folks.. how much does he rake in? Two sides to a profit coin.. he, managers, etc. .let them take less!
skinsidedown says
You sound like you’ve never run a business, Jimbo. Certainly not a restaurant. “Let them take less” sounds great when you’re talking about other people. Restaurants are one of the toughest, lowest margin businesses there is. Mom and Pop’s will not survive a move like this. I own a restaurant and did the math. If the minimum was suddenly $15 here, I could give my sous chef MY current paycheck and it would still not make up the difference. It’s real easy to sit back from afar and say: “Look at this guy, he’s raking it in. Let him do with less.” But you are entirely ignorant of the economic realities of any business. The reality is that those guys never do with less, it’s the middle class, and struggling entrepreneurs that take the hit.
SERIOUSLY? says
How in the world this this law go into effect? I though democracy was about the majority of the people. I doubt HIGHLY that it was a majority vote. This is one of the worst decisions ANY government can make. These officials should be taken out of office ASAP and put into jail. RIDICULOUS!!!!!!
Sunshine Zude says
Everyone else should get a $15/hour raise too. O am a guest teacher with a master’s degree and began teaching at barely $14/hour every year until about five years ago when the district “let” us continue at the pay of the last day of the last year worked. I have gotten as much as i can stainless I take 25 more credits (I take classes every year). Once I get into a “New track and lane” my wages will go up. We haven’t gotten a COLA in years. Bottom line, let’s keep the playing field even…either we all get a $15/he raise OR NO ONE DOES!
colleen2 says
They are not getting a 15 dollar an hour raise. the minimum wage is $15. If you have a Master’s degree it’s not because of your reasoning skills or reading comprehension.
Nunya Biznez says
You’re not getting it colleen2, the comment states if it goes to min $15 then everyone else should have $15 added to their current wage to reflect the change and keep the status quo.
delusionalmuch says
I think what he’s getting at is that minimum wage workers will now earn $15 vs the $9 ish that is the current minimum wage. so they’re getting $6 added onto their wages. If she was asking for everyone to get $6 added to their current hourly wage it would make more sense.
Nunya Biznez says
Actually Sunshine is being elitest and saying that anyone with an education should get their current salary plus a $15 base that everyone else gets, colleen2 is not understanding this concept so I attempted to explain. You’re trying to invite logic into this where there is no logic or any sense to the OP’s statements. Have a nice day.
cafeblue says
That’s actually the union position. The only reason unions are for this is because their wages are tied to a multiplier of the minimum wage. Thus, if the minimum wage raises by 66%, so too do union wages.
colleen2 says
I understand what the entitled but not very intelligent commenter said.
Nunya Biznez says
Great ninja skills on removing all the remarks in between which completely changes the dialogue’s meaning and flow where someone looks different in intellect versus before. Kudos to the remover.
colleen2 says
Did you forget to take your meds?
Nunya Biznez says
Wow how impressive you did a personal attack, just wow, kudos, omgursowundrful! nnnYou made me laugh water out of my nose and all over my screen, again, omgursowundrful.
Dano says
I have no Masters Degree (or Bachelors for that matter) but would recommend that you learn how to proof read what you post Sunshine! It will really make your point more credible!
Sabalom Glitz says
Oh, sorry, did you go into Teaching to be Rich or to Teach?
jimbo8118 says
read the thing. it is over 7 years. .it has a lot of differences for different sized businesses.. how does one explain that Seattle is the fastest growing city in the nation? hmmm? and the highest minimum wage today at $9.32.. just searching for the real facts. .not emotion.. ??
BazookaJoe says
It’s 3 years if you have more than 500 employees and 4 if you have less. Get your “real facts” right before you grab a condescending attitude next time, because I don’t enjoy having to put one on to correct you when you pop off with knowing what’s going on.
Joe W says
Hey Bazooka Joe get the facts yourself!! It is 7 years for business with employees that collect tips. You know, like TOM DOUGLAS restaurants!!!
rob says
Everyone can predict the future
BazookaJoe says
Humans are really pretty good at cause and effect. You throw it out there like everyone is peering into a crystal ball scrying the future, but Vegas, New York and DC were built on predicting the consequences of human action, just to name a few. If you see a ball falling, it isn’t magic to figure out it will hit the ground.
drew says
that must be why we humans have been so on the ball about not polluting the very planet that we live on or putting things in our own food that we know is bad for us… humans throughout history have been quite stupid for being intelligent mammals…
Scott M Perry says
So what is your solution? Give power to a centralized authority to make a singular prediction of the future standardized? If we humans are so bad at predicting the future, are not our elected officials also limited by this inability? Or are they somehow wiser? Their incentives are to appease those who have most successfully lobbied for the greatest political power, in this case the unions. So we can’t point to them having “the public interest” in mind (as if that can be standardized and collectively enforced on a group of people in the first place). We also can’t point to their expertise in economics or extensive experience with running a business. nnnLet’s review; the Seattle City Council has no expertise in economics, no experience in running a business and has no vested interest in the outcome with regards to its effects on employers OR employees, and we still turn to these busy-body, paternalistic organizers for solutions?nnnThe conversation doesn’t so much hinge on whether or not economics can be asserted as a science with reliable laws, as many statists argue, as it does on WHO has a higher claim on how and where to utilize the value created in society. I say those who create that value have the highest claim on its use, the statist argues a concentrated few having nothing to do with its creation should determine how and where it should be used. nnnHaving or not having the ability to accurately predict the future in no way justifies the centralization of economic authority. That’s how mafias operate.
Joey Shuckhart says
All I hear is crickets… Well put Scott!
Robin Hood says
Actually, except for the blathering, you’re pointless…
rob says
Miami heat or the SA spurs?
jimbo8118 says
Diana.. so now you are segregating the “right to make a living wage”. .Not fair to the people who furthered their education”.. while those that could not because they are not among the financial elite.. nor are interested in and education.. this means they are not entitled to a living wage? This is the biggest problem.. your perspective is one of the causes of this happening.. your disregard for the greater good.. saving your support for those who “choose” or are lucky to have the educational opportunities. You forget and don’t see those who don’t have the same educational aspirations as you. .or those that you respect. Sorry. this is a very big part of our problems. .not one of your points support the best for all of our citizens. . I don’t think the full $15 raise is correct.. however I do believe this opens a more important discussion. .who “deserves” a full life? Only those that can afford one? Thanks for your input.. mine just is different.. not better.. not worse..
aaa says
Sounds like you have the opinion of a communist.
wwittman says
As opposed to a Nazi?nSEE how much that sort of juvenile tactic helps a discussion?nnWorkers making more means more people able to eat out in those restaurants means they can raise prices to cover the wages. nnIt’s not acceptable that the ‘prior economic model’ was based in essentially exploitation. nn
Scott M Perry says
You need to read some Rothbard or Mises, my friend. aaa’s comments, while appearing as a slander to you are actually quite appropriate here. jimbo8118’s comment assumes 1. that a centralized authority has the right to determine what people are “worth” in economic terms AND that that centralized authority is the “wisest” at making that call. These are essentially the underlying philosophical assumptions of the vast majority of communist ideologies, and they are completely unfounded. nnnCalling aaa a Nazi on the other hand… now that WAS just a slur. There is no sign of nationalism or ethnocentrism or any of the other principles of Hitler or the The National Socialists in his comment.
wwittman says
The nazis fear mongered about ‘communism!!’ too. nIt’s entirely appropriate because screaming communism is meant to end the conversation; not as actual analyses. nn
Scott M Perry says
Well, you can question his motives and conversation strategy all you want but the CONTENT of his comment was well founded. Regardless of how you or I or anyone else feel about communism, jimbo8118 WAS operating from a communist ideological standpoint, and to simply ask or observe that one’s comments sound communist, is not “fear mongering”. nnnSecondly, if you find it fair to equate every ideology that condemns communism with the Nazis, then I’d be skeptical of your general ability to think rationally to any meaningful degree.
Robin Hood says
Commie, Nazi, & Mafia…so except name calling…GOT ANYTHING ??
Sabalom Glitz says
Just like Liberals screaming “raci” 🙂
wwittman says
But the ‘liberals’ didn’t. AAA did. nBut hey, if the hood fits…
Sabalom Glitz says
Yeah, especially when Democrats elected a Grand Wizard of The KKK.
LMAO ! says
You really need to see a DR about the screaming you hear, racist.
Sabalom Glitz says
You First.Then stop calling anyone who disagrees with a Liberal, especially Obama The Emperor.
Robin Hood says
Nutso ALERT !!!nnWhen they pull out the rhetoric, out goes logic….
Robin Hood says
Last time is was mafia, are you high ???
Noah says
Actually, it’s much worse. It just boils down to “I want more money!” I know plenty of people who grew up poor and still worked hard to make something of themselves. If you’re flipping burgers at 35, then it’s more likely you’re there because of some failure on your part, not of society’s. nYou want to know who deserves a “full life”? Those who are willing to work hard and earn it, not beg for it as if they were entitled to it and having corrupt union officials expropriate it from others who have worked hard for what they have. It’s parasites like you that will ruin this country.
wwittman says
It’s people who don’t get that Ayn Rand was just bad young-adult fiction who already have ruined it.
Scott M Perry says
Thanks for your “analysis” and resistance to sinking to “juvenile tactics”…”meant to end a discussion”
cafeblue says
Oh look, something else you don’t understand.
Sabalom Glitz says
And Liberals who didn’t head the warning of Orwell before they embraced them.
LMAO ! says
LMAO !nnnnn If you had a point, you’d use a lot less rhetoric….
Sabalom Glitz says
And you’d have a clue what you were talking about (or I was talking about for that matter). But the clueless warrior of the faith that is you goes on his merry mind…
Keithan Rogers says
I’ve never met a person in my life who starved to death while earning a minimum wage. In fact, the WHO reports that under 10 people starve in America each year. You know what that means? It means that the minimum wage is fine as is. Just because you can’t buy your shiny new iphone every year doesn’t mean you deserve more money. Get a clue.
Keithan Rogers says
Also Jimbo, everyone in the country is eligible for FAFSA and Pell Grants. I make WAY above poverty and am still eligible. So those who have had less access to education than me do not exist. You folks like to keep talking about those who have no access to education but never provide an example. You mean the mother with 5 kids who cant afford the sitter to go to school? Tough shit, you had 5 kids dummy. You mean the poor immigrant worker who can’t afford to go to school? Tough shit, apply for student loans and realize you have WAY more opportunities for schooling than regular citizens. You mean the black kid in the projects? Tough shit, go to the library and use the free internet to apply to a school. You guys can never provide a real example because none exist. Education is available to everyone who isnt a lazy idiot. You aren’t going to get into Harvard with a 2.0, why? Because you are dumb and won’t make it. Should have paid more attention in class. You make your own future and will no matter where you are.
Nicole says
There are a lot of slippery slope arguments going on here – No one knows what will happen. There are 2 sides to this argument – one is presented here. Another is that there will be millions more dollars that will be put into our economy that can increase spending at restaurants, malls, small businesses etc. No one knows what will happen. So let’s all calm down 🙂
Scott M Perry says
I can get on board with your sentiment that no one knows exactly how this will play out, or precisely how it will effect the economy. Some feel the study of economics should act more as a science while others argue we are’t there yet, or that we won’t ever get there.nnI’m no economist (though I have my own intuitions about this question) so for the sake of discussion, let’s say that we DON’T know. Let’s say that it’s only predictable to a very crude degree, such that we can’t rely on economists’ projections very confidently. nnBut we still must make a decision, no? Either governments, or business owners, or whoever to whom we grant control of the resources that are used to fund a decision like raising the minimum wage. Either way, the person with that authority must make some assessment of how human action and economies operate in order to make the best decisions for how to use the resources they have the authority to control. nnThe state has the economic model(s) they trust, (the vast majority of which are more or less in the tradition of John Maynard Keynes) and individuals have any number of their own economic models by which they must functionally trust. Economic models are always used to make these decisions regardless of whether they are made privately or publicly. So it isn’t so much about whether the dissenters of this law can predict the future, or even about whether or not ANYONE can; it’s about what economic model MOST ACCURATELY does this, and who we empower with the authority to make that decision.
cafeblue says
Sure we know what will happen. All you have to do is look at the economies of cities and countries where this has been tried around the world. The minimum wage is a government wage control. Wage and price controls have been failures anywhere they’ve been implemented around the world, because they ignore market forces and try to apply a one-size- fits- all approach to the economy. nnWhen your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Government is not benevolent. Force is its main tool, and too many in government think they can just pass laws to make things right, completely ignoring economic realities and/or human nature. They seem wholly unaware of “unintended consequences” or historical failures of their polices elsewhere, preferring instead the delusion that it just hasn’t been tried by the right people yet.
Keithan Rogers says
Everyone who makes more than minimum wage knows what will happen miss. You really think Starbucks is just going to take a 60% increase in wages they are paying out in stride? You are naive.
JimR says
I believe a Starbucks coffee shop is more capable of taking a hit like that, compared to a Mom & Pop shop. But yes, it will be interesting to see how companies in the area handle things when changes start to filter in over the next 4-5 years.
Robin Hood says
Raise the prices by a dime an item & the increased wages are covered… Whew, hard work…
Sabalom Glitz says
Wow, you really have no business sense do you.
LMAO ! says
WOW !nnnYou really have no ANSWER, do ya ???
Sabalom Glitz says
Wow! That was quite a dissertation you gave there.
Robin Hood says
He nailed ya, hon !nn nnGeez, if you have nothing intelligent about THIS TOPIC, just leave…It’s a minimum wage increase. GEEZ… get a Midol.
Sabalom Glitz says
What is this obsession with Midol that you have, are you a woman-hater?
Robin Hood says
Naw, just observant, tea tw@t…
Robin Hood says
Sure, I want you to get help with your “disposition”, which proves…according to you, whatever you blather.nnnnnAgain, SEEK HELP PSYCHO !!!
Sabalom Glitz says
You first. You need it much more.
Robin Hood says
Just trying to help, man…nnnnnLMAO !
Sabalom Glitz says
Help with what? your childish obsessions. No thanks.
Robin Hood says
I don’t share with psychos & you’re a proven liar, hon…nnLMAO !nnLMAO !nnToo hard to discuss like an adult ?? Figured.
Sabalom Glitz says
Yeah, children like you would have trouble discussing anything with an Adult.
Robin Hood says
Poor baby….. A complete partisan troll…
Sabalom Glitz says
Yes, you are. Congrats, we can both agree on that.
Robin Hood says
Poor Sob, just a really poor loser, with an unhappy “life”.
Sabalom Glitz says
Such a hateful little child.
Robin Hood says
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sabalom Glitz says
Is the wee little Liberal bored?
Robin Hood says
Is the nuts con cr@p weasel pointless ??
Sabalom Glitz says
No where near as pointless as you are dearie.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
HHAHAAHah ahahahahahaahahahahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Reached the limit of your intelligence I see. Can’t do anything but cut-and-paste the same answer.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE/BRAIN, copycat !!!
HHAHAAHahahhHAHAHAHaha hahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
7.
Sabalom Glitz says
8.
Sabalom Glitz says
That’s 9.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE/BRAIN, copycat !!!
HHAHAHah HAHHHAHAHAA ahhaha hahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Reached your Maximum intelligence I see.
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE/BRAIN, copycat !!!
HHAHAAHahHA gaggaagag WHEW ~~~HHAHAHAA ahhaha hahahahaah hahhaah !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Does ObamaCare cover your hairball?
Robin Hood says
You have NO LIFE !!!
Why don’t you find a life & a point, your irrational hatred is UNHEALTHY !
HHAHAAHahahhah ahahahahahaah hahhaah hhahahahhahahahahhhh AHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAhaahHAAhahahahha!!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
3.
Robin Hood says
Poor stroke victim, ThOsE randumb caps are a clue….
Probably need to get an MD to look at you.
Use your ObamaCares, StAt !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, I see your liberal education, grammar and “vocabulary” are shining examples of your “intelligence” 🙂
Robin Hood says
Thanks !!!
Robin Hood says
So…. your “theory” is Starbucks pays minimum wages ???nnLMAO ! Schultz said, “On balance, I am a supporter of the minimum wage going up.”
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, if you want to put millions of dollars in the economy and create lots of high paying, good consumer jobs, I have the perfect industry for you — OIL and Natural Gas! (whoops! sorry, those jobs aren’t part of the liberal agenda so they aren’t worthy of your notice). The unemployment rate in North Dakota is HALF the national average. So if you want good high paying jobs and stimulate the economy, you know where to look. But you can’t lead the ideologically blind… 🙂
Dub says
I would imagine that most restaurants will be switch to using tip credits to help offset the wage increase. What I haven’t seen yet is the required cash wage for tipped employees as that will be the true wage for many front of the house employees. For baristas and small tip earners, you can expect that since you now receive $15.00 per hour you will no longer receive any cash tips what so ever.
BH says
Washington isn’t a tip credit state, and they voted against making it, restuarants will be forced to pay servers $15/hr.
JustaAnotherHuman says
I can see where he is coming from – except when he starts ranting about parking and bridge tolls as a way to get more money and keep people at home. On the contrary – raising cost of driving into the city and parking in the city makes it seem more convenient to just move into the city centers. It also makes more people use public transportation – which is a good thing – because the more people use public transit, the more public transit develops – the more people will have easy access into the city – alleviating traffic for those who insist on driving – meaning more people int the cities – meaning more customers. Your business will do better if more people decide they want to move into the city – which is what has been happening over the past 6 years as people get sick of commuting to work and spending more on gas then they can afford because they live in sprawled out suburbs. And when more people move to the city, more people go out to restaurants. So don’t blame any of those variables on weak business or your income. nAnd these days, people don’t just go into the city to shop – they go into the city for entrainment and dining. nThat all being said – i agree that minimum wage hike to $15 an hour across the board is not a great idea – HOWEVER, the timeline is pretty far out – and i suspect that was done on purpose – because the reality is – chances are – in 5 years – your likely going to be raising employees wages to that price anyway. If you are not able to provide $15 an hour to an employee 5 years from now – you probably have other problems with your business model aside from a minimum wage increase. In 5 years – $15 an hour will be nothing- it will be the equivalent of 9 bucks an hour now.
Chris Tobolski says
I think you are using your own anecdotal evidence here. Those things do not make people want to move into the city. It makes people want to stay away completely. It makes people want to work from home and businesses to find locations that are cost friendlier.nnnIt’s also been proven that those things do not make more people ride public transportation. The cost of that is rising which lowers ridership as well. Not to mention the developing of those systems isn’t being done either. They are a crap system that instead of being reworked properly we just throw away money on it.nnnAlso, thinking that gas prices make people want to live in the city rather than the suburbs is ridiculous. The rent difference alone negates the gas and more. Paying to live in the city is up to 2 times as expensive as living outside it. Places like Burien and Renton are seeing huge growth and prosperity because of this. Not to mention that for that money people get more square footage, private yards and garage space.nnnI agree that the minimum wage jump to $15 isn’t the answer to the economic issues. I’m not sure what the answer is. But I think you’re looking at the rest backwards.
common_senseguy says
Whiner…The same thing was said in the 1930’s when the wage went to.25 cents..These pukes will simply take home a little off the top of their million dollar incomes. Really does anyone expect the working poor to live in Seattle reasonably at liess that 15.00 an hour ? really ? The Washington State min wage is already 9.32 an hour. The median income for the Seattle area was over 65,000 dollars in Seattle in 2012. at 15.00 an hour ( 30,000 a year )these people are still less than half the median Seattle area wage. It seems he is saying I got mine, now you can eat cake. That didn’t work out so well for the Queen of France and don’t suspect it will for this guy either.
cafeblue says
Who says anyone has to live in Seattle?
Mike says
Have you ever working in the industry. That’s a bunch of crap. Been in the industry for over a decade and no server I know makes less than 15 dollars an hour after tips. Oh ya those. They are also wages. So you want 15 an hour plus still expect to get the 10 plus dollars an hour in tips you get.
Mellow says
It doesn’t have anything to do with college degrees!!! Minimum wage is lagging far behind where it should have already been. Instead of looking at people with more experience or degrees getting paid as much as an inexperienced worker………..you should be mad as hell that they were not getting $23 all this time.
Nanners CrayCray says
Thats all good and fine, but its time to have social conscious about the pay of our fellow humans.
Under The Sea says
Conscience. The word you meant to use was conscience. Way to prove the point about unskilled workers.
Damian says
Diana has no clue. I’ve worked in places where the server with the lowest education had a BA. I have an MBA and I made as much money Bartending in nightclubs as I do know. That said, my last club gig paid me $45-75/hour in cash tips. It would be ridiculous to give me a $15 hourly on top of that. This minimum wage hike is a bad idea the way they’ve structured it.
Will says
$15 minimum wage……stupidest thing I’ve ever heard in my life! Quickest way to cripple an economy.
Jeremy says
We need to stop telling the upcoming work force they have to pay tens of thousands of dollars for an education (and debt), just to graduate into a society where there aren’t jobs and all they can find are minimum-wage jobs that don’t afford a decent lifestyle ON TOP OF education debt.
Under The Sea says
There are jobs all over the place. Maybe not for people with fine arts degrees, but for those with useful degrees, you can’t keep the offers away. I have a meeting next week with a potential new employer wanting to up my salary by over 40%.
Sabalom Glitz says
They can move to North Dakota. It has the lowest Unemployment rate in the US.nMind you the best jobs are consider evil politically incorrect jobs…:)
Aurora says
Are you people that naive to think that a 15$ an hour wage hike will change your lives bv it’s not I’m not a college graduate but I know that see wage increase by that much all at once everything will increase. the end of the day you very well may end up more broke with your new wage then before bc everyone including rent and mortgage will go up also on top of that no one is going to visit, loss of tourism, bc lets face it your no New York who is going to pay the price it will cost to stay in your city, very few. Yes you have a mountain/volcano but most people who visit places like that camp and don’t spend a lot of money out door types like to save money. If you think this wage hike is going to make a difference it will, it will likely ruin your state. What goes up always comes down. From someone who makes minimum wage. Use your brain really think what this is going to do. Your elected officials should have carefully considered it got and economics professor in there and spelled it out for all. When it fails snd it eill you will all be left with huge bills and no money to pay them. The issue isn’t the wage you make its cost of living issue and its something that needs to be addressed but cant be fixed over night and its a country thing every state needs help. Im sorry for all of you…
Heather says
Here in Texas we have a resturant who pays their employees a “living wage” so they don’t accept tips. Accountants, doctors, lawers, teachers, retail, customer service and other careers don’t get tips but are paid a higher base wage. why should anyone feel obligated to tip now that everyone is being paid a living wage and these prices are already affecting consumers?
Penelope Purple says
I agree and I won’t be tipping more than a couple bucks when I eat in Seattle. It is a relief to me to know that they are going to be making a living wage so I don’t have to go through the process of trying to figure out just how much they deserve when I’m trying to enjoy an evening on the town.
Under The Sea says
You’re nicer than me. I’ll make sure to not tip a dime the next time I’m in Seattle. That will be freeing.
Carrie says
So much for all those people who actually paid to get an education only to have a better opportunity to make a good living. With a 15.00 min wage everything will get more expensive. Groceries, gas, electricity. Etc… People like myself won’t be getting a pay raise but I will be forced to pay more to survive! THANKS!
Carrie says
Hey restaurant people, kiss gratuities good bye.
BigSean says
Lol I have worked in the service industry and do NOT think I deserved more than minimum wage. Your taking dinner orders from people and bringing food to them.. how is that a skill or in any way a challenge… most of the people in the service idustry with degrees picked a worthless degree like art, history or psychology. Minimum wage is for people with a minimal skill. I.e. bringing food out from a kitchen… AND im not even mentioning the fact that servers get tipped. I’ve honestly never understood why servers think they deserve 15 to 20 percent gratuity… you’re doing your job… maybe if you did some sort of circus act to entertain me then shit yeah I’ll throw you a few extra bucks. Anyway, go get a skill and you’ll never have to worry about minimum wage again.
jerzee40 says
Ok so a good solid education is not good enough if you picked art, history or psychology. LOL I have A BA in Photography and I am a server. I am 40 years old. I DO utilize my degree. I disagree with the idea that servers do not require skills because they do. I have worked and trained many individuals who are unable to be servers because they cannot learn the skill. They are unorganized, unable to multitask, do not know how to carry plates properly, have no people skills, are lazy, have bad attitudes, do not work well in a team setting, do not know how to up sell, do not know how to answer a phone properly, do not address guests in a professional manner amongst other important attributes that require one to be an awesome server! I do not ONLY take an order and bring it out from the kitchen sir! I make between 800 and 1000 dollars a week being a skilled server. It is about selling a product like anyone else SELLING a product. Servers are a dime a dozen until you figure out that it does take skill and not everyone can do it. Just like everyone is not able to be a doctor, lawyer, forklift operator, lion tamer, iron worker, ballerina, science teacher, mathematician, astronaut, wall street wonder or any other job that you may consider respectful and worth being able to live a life above poverty!
Name says
I am guessing that if people are going to go out to eat that they will end up tipping less.
Under The Sea says
Why tip at all?
John Scott says
I’m pretty sure if we could legislate away poverty, someone would have done it by now (oh wait, see Soviet Russia). The truth of the matter is that every city council person showed that they do not understand basic economics. Let’s say a furniture maker saw the price of their raw goods (i.e. wood, a commodity product) increase 60%. You would expect their prices to go up accordingly (and wouldn’t see anything wrong with it). However, because the commodity is labor (and that is what service businesses are selling), it’s somehow attacked as immoral or wrong for a business not to overpay for that commodity. The same argument was made for health care ‘reform’, that somehow, because it’s compassionate we can ignore economic reality. nIt will be interesting (amusing) to see the aftermath of this: Businesses that can move will, businesses looking to move will not choose Seattle, tax revenue (for the city) will fall, and for the businesses that do remain, their prices will rise and many will go out of business. Seattle has already been sliding back to its seedy past, with homeless panhandlers everywhere. When Seattle’s billboard reads “No jobs but lots of benefits! Legal weed too!” it will start to look like Detroit.
ctdfalconer says
So many comparisons to Detroit on this thread. Thought it would be obvious that the situation is very different in the two cities. The comparison is not apt.
John Scott says
Not yet, but the demographics of Detroit are a warning for what happens when government decides to be generous without a sufficient economic base to support the largesse. Only 1 in 7 residents of Detroit have a private sector job, which is insufficient to support the promised benefits to their public sector employees. My real concern for Seattle is that’s it’s starting to slide back to the 70s in many areas. I feel safer (and less harassed) walking around Chicago. Lots of drugs, lots of indigent and raising the minimum wage is not going to help those people. If businesses leave in droves, it doesn’t take long for buildings to decay and the downward spiral will be in effect.
ctdfalconer says
Globalization coupled with a down economy and the Wall St.-engineered housing crisis did far more to hurt Detroit than over-promising from government. Seattle has basically none of the problems Detroit has. The comparison is still not apt.
ctdfalconer says
Honestly, I don’t mind paying more for the things I buy if it means that those on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder will be able to enjoy a better standard of living. I really don’t see this forcing businesses to close in mass numbers. First, those pulling in minimum wage will have more money to spend (and they do spend pretty much every cent they earn) in those businesses so they will see an uptick in sales. And second, no businessman in the history of ever has closed because he made a little less profit. Zero profit is never a better business decision than some profit.
Under The Sea says
Nope, they don’t close. They just move away to places where the profits are better and climate less hostile. You can look to California and Texas for proof of that. As noted, some businesses won’t be able to leave right away because they are locked into long term leases and such, but as soon as they are free, you will see a mass exodus. As for having more money to spend, maybe. Of course, since they will be paying 20-25% more for everything, they won’t actually be buying any more of anything because they will have no more spending power than before. Have fun.
ruble88 says
Then you have to raise the minimum wage again so they can afford the higher prices that were necessitated by paying the higher minimum wage, it is an infinite circle, leading to inflation. Short term short sighted solutions? leading to long term problems.
ctdfalconer says
So that just tells us that it would be great for workers to enjoy the same benefits everywhere in the US. Whatever you think of the mobility of businesses, people will want to live there and business go where customers are. Some businesses can’t move, like port-related and forestry and such, not to mention a certain software maker in the area. These are not boutique cottage industries apt to move on a whim.
Sabalom Glitz says
Until the liberal virus spreads like a cancer that is….
Milman36 says
I’m guessing your not a business owner. Just for simple math let’s say this increases wages by $1 Million per year and all of that is spent in Seattle. Out of that $1 Million in sales increase only a percentage (around 50%) of that is profit, the rest covers cost of goods. So that means business are still short 50% so sales would need to increase another $1 Million to cover the raise.
ctdfalconer says
Ok, I don’t see where in my post I mentioned specific numbers, though. It’s pretty safe to say that pretty much every cent of that raise will get spent again in the city, probably several times over.
insidmal says
Or the CEO’s could take it out of their 3 million dollar a year bonuses.. those poor, unfortunate souls…
Sabalom Glitz says
So let’s just charge you $15 for your hamburger. You should be happy.
Robin Hood says
If they cost $7 for a meal now, we’d be paying perhaps $8..nnnnnPartisan hate is really ugly, moniKKKers.
Sabalom Glitz says
Yeah, Liberals calling everyone a raci is pretty hateful. But at least we didn’t elect a Grand Wizard of The KKK like the Democrats did. 🙂
Robin Hood says
Still “living” in the past ??nnGeez, if you have nothing intelligent about THIS TOPIC, just leave…It’s a minimum wage increase. GEEZ… get a Midol.
Sabalom Glitz says
Grow up.
Robin Hood says
Get new meds….
ctdfalconer says
I did say at the start that I wouldn’t mind paying more for things. Realistically though, if, as you seem to imply, a restaurant is only selling one burger per employee per hour, they’re not going to be in business very long anyway. Exaggeration is unconvincing.
Schmogie says
It’ll implode the King County economy. Which is to say, that of the entire state. Russian roulette with all chambers loaded.
gr8taco says
As a small business owner, I will have to let go of 1/2 of my employees because I simply cannot afford them. n
insidmal says
You obviously haven’t paid much attention then, as a small business you have 7 years to comply.. if you aren’t profitable enough in 7 years to pay your employees a liveable wage, then you shouldn’t be in business.
Sabalom Glitz says
Yeah the inflation rate in 7 years will most certainly help that out. Not to mention the liberal regulations…
gr8taco says
That is not fair to these college kids who are looking for just part time work
Biscuitfruit says
Where are all you armchair economists when the government is handing out corporate bailouts. OH GOD, THEY’RE RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE, EVERYONE IS GOING TO DIE. Uh huh, right. Why can’t you whine like that when corporations are jumping through a circus-like series of hoops to get out of paying taxes and raising their pay by millions per year? Why is the world about to end because someone gets paid a few more bucks an hour, but when the top CEOs are screwing us out of billions, it’s no big deal?
John Scott says
I think government bailouts (or subsidies) of private enterprise are a horrible idea. GM and Chrysler should have gone through normal bankruptcy, but the government bowed to the pressure of the unions (just like the Seattle city council) and illegally gave majority interest to those unions while stealing from investors who made, in good faith, SECURED loans (i.e. I get paid before anyone else from the liquidation of assets) to those companies so they would be prevented from forcing the unions to renegotiate their too expensive contracts.nUnions and labor forcibly sold at well above market prices – see any recurring themes? Ever wonder why offshoring happens?
insidmal says
lol… But you have no problem with the $390 billion in tax cuts the gop signed off to those giant corporations that are offshoring, right?
Sabalom Glitz says
Really? How about Solyndra, GM, The ObamaCare Waivers, etc. Oh, right, you’re a blind partisan hack….
Milman36 says
Many minimum wage jobs are small businesses that don’t make Millions. If a small store or restaurant has 5 full time workers that is an extra $50,000 per year in payroll. Your really think the average small guy can absorb that kind of increase?
insidmal says
Small businesses are not effected by this increase, also, you’ll find that most small businesses pay well above the minimum wage already – it’s the corporate giants that look at their employees as numbers as a spreadsheet that are constantly trying to cut every expense so they can say ‘See! We made more money this year!’ at their shareholder meetings
freeulysses says
Small businesses not affected? You are so naive.
Milman36 says
He is clueless, thinks small business is exempt from this for some reason. Read a few of his post, he watches a lot of Rachel Madcow on MSNBC.
Sabalom Glitz says
So what do you think is a “small business”?
freeulysses says
Employees don’t create jobs, for one. Louisiana and Canada are offering the best incentives for filmmmaking, and are, surprise, surprise, getting more growth of film business than any other area, comparatively. When a state gives a deal to a company, it’s not welfare, it’s an investment that you expect a return on, generally many times what you invested. I don’t believe in bailouts, nor crony capitalism, but you give incentives to encourage business growth. When you force wage hikes, you dis-incent business growth. The only fair wage hike is when individuals refuse to work for a wage, and the business owner must decide whether to increase pay or close up shop. But at least ha is a fair agreement between parties, no one is forced by law to act against their best interests.
Sabalom Glitz says
Oh you mean like Obama and his cronyism $$$$- Solyndra, GM, Bank of America, Etc. Oh sorry, did you mean just non-liberal corporations? 🙂
dws says
I see many comments about who deserves to get paid how much, skill levels, and other things that totally miss the point of the article. What the article is saying is that if everyone in Seattle got this minimum wage increase, every company would have to raise their prices accordingly. The net result is that the buying power of that $15 per hour will be the same as or less than the current minimum wage is now. When the cycle comes back to where it is now, people will be calling for another wage increase with the same result in buying power.
insidmal says
Or their CEO could take a slightly less bonus (Cause 1.5 Million a year isn’t enough to live on, right?)
Sabalom Glitz says
What about Tom Cruise and $20 million dollars a picture? Or a Footbal Player making multiple millions a year? Why are you so obsessed with CEO’s (or right Liberal Media indoctrination). Do you feel the same way about Congress? or Starbucks? 🙂
scoobydoowop says
so, to my understanding this will effect the LARGER, more highly staffed businesses. so when i see comments about profit for business owners the first thought goes into my head. are they taking about their profit… or their scalping, lets face it, larger companies are raking in a lot of money, this should not hurt them, after all, with out all of the hard work from others, they would have nothing. Now smaller businesses i can understand some concerns. people gripe about others to get off welfare, handle your bills, they cant wait to put their noses and 2 cents in, but when there is a way that may help, people gripe about that. some people just like to bitch! some people cant go to school, because they don’t make enough to support themselves through it, think about it. there is pros and cons on both sides
Milman36 says
So how many “large” businesses does Seattle have compared to “small” businesses? As I drive around town I see 95% small stores and a hand full of the big buys.
freeulysses says
It will affect all of them, don’t fall for the trap. Our politicians are stupid enough already, we don’t need to be. If there’s a ‘big brand’ store next to you, and they have to pay $15/hr, for the same tasks as a small business next to them pays $9, then all the employees at the small biz will be going to the big biz, constantly hobbling the small biz, adding to retraining/hiring costs, losing expertise, etc. Plus, the inflation that will hit the whole area, not to mention all the unions expecting raises pegged officially or unwritten to the min wage price. It will affect everyone, it hurts the economy, less people will be doing okay than are today, and the law of unintended consequences will once again slap the stupid liberals across the face, and they will blame the ‘greedy business owners’ that decided to open up shop in the suburbs or small cities rather than Seattle.
Liquidmonkey says
Wait a second. The $15 wage includes tips. So, while he will have to pay them slightly more, he won’t be paying the full difference because server tips cover the majority of the hourly wage. I used to work in the service industry and we knew how much of our tips we had to report in order to equal the minimum wage. The rest went unreported into our pockets. Also, We don’t shop downtown but we often go there for dinner. Lunch may be related, dinner not so much.
Milman36 says
I believe the $15 does not include tips last I heard
insidmal says
of course it includes tips.. if it didn’t that would be about a $13 an hour raise, lol
Milman36 says
In Washington state workers get minimum wage + tips. Right now that is 9.23 + tips and will go to 15 + tips. From reading your post one can conclude you are clueless of facts
amber says
I’m a waiter and I’m happy with minimum wage. When I started waiting tables I knew what I was getting into. Minimum wage is fair for servers, bartenders, baristas, restraint employees etc…. If you don’t like the wage find a different job or go back to school.
insidmal says
Except for that more than half of college graduates work for minimum wage…
freeulysses says
Some facts on minimum wage earners, from .gov Bureau of Labor:n – ~97% of workers make more than minimum wage. n – Of the 3.6 million making min wage, 55% are age 25 or younger.n – That leaves 1.1% of all workers over 25 making minumum wage.nn – Within that group, most are NOT POOR or trying to raise a family. 63%n of these workers are the 2nd and 3rd wage earner in the family, and 43%n live in households making over n$50K.(For example, I make a decent living, pay the bills. My wifen makes a little money on the side, sometimes making minimum wage. There nare loads of families like that, so subtract those from the 1.1% pool as well)n – In 1980 15% of workers made the minimum wage, now it’s down to around 3-4%nn – In my opinion, if there’s a 35 year old making minimum wage dumping nfry baskets at McDs, and he has a family to raise, and he hasnt’ moved non from minimum wage after a year, then he needs to look at the 16 year nold doing the same job next to him, and the McD’s franchise owners who nwon’t increase his pay for the same low-skilled job, and realize that nhe’s the problem, not the owner providing starter jobs, and not the npimply faced kid making spending money.
Milman36 says
Dam facts, I wanted to believe half of minimum wage workers had a degree.
Sabalom Glitz says
Yeah, and you don’t see the reason for that, through your ideological blinders and your class warfare do you?
amber says
The old minimum wage I meant….. I think $15 an hour is rediculous and inflated. No good for the economy or businesses.
Erica says
I’m so tired of servers, bartenders, and cooks and anyone else in a service industry being put down by people with ncollege degrees. No, we should not get paid as well as a surgeon, and, yes, if you want a surgeon’s salary, you should go be a surgeon or do something that pays equally well. That being said, no one is saying people in the service industry should be paid as well as a surgeon, and I think most of us agree that everyone should get paid based on their skill level. nnBut there does need to be recognition that very industry requires a set of knowledge and skill. In Seattlen especially, being a good server, bartender, and cook requires an extensive nknowledge of food, wine, beer, and liquor. If you have this knowledge, you deserve to be paid well. That the knowledge wasn’t obtained in a classroom and doesn’t require a degree doesn’t matter. You have a knowledge and skill set that’s in demand, and you should be paid well for it. True there are servers, bartenders, and cooks that skim by; I don’t think they deserve $15/hr. But those that are highly skilled in these areas deserve to get paid for it. For the most part, I think our current system does that. If you work at a diner and want to get paid better, improve your skills so you can get hired at a better restaurant. So let’s drop the college-educated pretentiousness (and I do say this as someone with a college degree) and respect everyone for the nknowledge they have and the service they provide, and that we demand they provide whenever we ask our server or bartender about the IBU of an IPA, what every wine on the menu tastes like and what it will pair well with, where every piece of meat on our menu comes from and how it was raised and what it was fed etc., etc. We’re all relying on each other for skills and knowledge we don’t have ourselves, so let’s just respect each other for what we can provide. (That was a very long and winded way of saying let the market decide who gets paid what, and if you want better pay, improve your skills or go do something else entirely.)n nI’m also tired of this whole “profits are evil” mentality. Businesses are concerned about their profits for a reason: They need to profit to stay in business, and I need the business I work for to profit if I’m going to stay employed and if I’m going to make a higher income. Yes, the CEO is concerned about his paycheck, but if businesses are saying they are going to have trouble paying all their employees at least $15/hr then we need to listen to them, especially small businesses. They have more concerns than the higher ups’ salaries. They are expressing real concerns about being able to stay in business. It might be too early to freak out, but this was a plan that came about through political pressure and not economic reality. There is reason for concern.
Michael Dominici says
I love the lecture about how these jobs were not ‘designed’ to provide for a family. Why bother working at all? So, are you suggesting that minimum wage jobs are for teenagers and part timers? Have you ever looked at who actually works these jobs? Clearly you DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. Speaking of DESIGNS, if your business is not DESIGNED to provide a living for your employees, just to provide YOU and your family a wonderful home and life, perhaps YOU do not deserve to be in the business…restaurant or otherwise. Yes, there is a small percentage of folks that do not deserve to have a job at all because they are lazy, uneducated, irresponsible, etc. Many of these folks actually run businesses, and many folks with very impressive degrees have destroyed our economy and banking systems…so, there’s that. As for the low-wage, entry level workers this will only motivate them to achieve more, be more responsible and productive as well as discourage the temptation to sell drugs and live a thug life because they will actually be able to support themselves legitimately for once.
freeulysses says
Actually, you don’t know the figures. Some facts on minimum wage earners, from .gov Bureau of Labor:nn – ~97% of workers make more than minimum wage. n – Of the 3.6 million making min wage, 55% are age 25 or younger.n – That leaves 1.1% of all workers over 25 making minumum wage.nn – Within that group, most are not poor or trying to raise a family. 63%n of these workers are the 2nd and 3rd wage earner in the family, and 43%n live in households making over n$50K.(For example, I make a decent living. My wifen makes a little money on the side, sometimes making minimum wage in retail. There nare loads of families like that, with secondary min wage jobs contributing a little. Take all those people, a majority, out of the 1.1% number)n – In 1980 15% of workers made the minimum wage, now it’s down to around 3-4%nn – Dozens upon dozens in my large extended family made minimum wage whenn we started out as teens. It was a pass through, basically getting paid nto build up a work resume. None of my generation make that today, just nlike the generation before, and after. Those jobs are stepping stones.nn – In my opinion, if there’s a 35 year old making minimum wage dumping nfry baskets at McDs, and he has a family to raise, and he hasn’t moved non from minimum wage after a year, then he needs to look at the 16 year nold doing the same job next to him, and the McD’s franchise owners who nwon’t increase his pay for the same low-skilled job, and realize that nhe’s the problem, not the owner providing starter jobs, and not the npimply faced kid making spending money.
LMAO ! says
In my opinion, he’s a serious working trying to support a family, who deserves more, than the part timers who don’t have to care…
So, he’s getting it, teatwit.
happy he's not there! says
Well I will no longer be visiting Seattle area restaurants when I very rarely make it to the west side of the mountains. All the more reason to never move back. I feel sorry for all my friends and family still there. #keepyoursorryasspoliticsconfinedtothewestside!
MyOpinion says
I really can’t believe some of the ignorance in these comments. I definitely can’t believe the ignorance in our politicians! Tom is right. I’m sure all of you making $9 an hour are thrilled to be making more and feel it’s deserving. Kudos to you! I’m happy for you. Everyone that works hard feels a sense of entitlement to more. But guess what, $15hr doesn’t mean anything when everything you buy now ends up inflating along with it. Say you make $9hr and your rent in Seattle is $800, maybe you split it with a roommate and pay $500, but now you’re making $15hr so you’ve got to be able to afford more! If I’m your landlord I’m guessing you can afford a couple of hundred dollars more since you make more. You want a burger from Red Robin for $10.49, oops, everyone in Seattle makes more so that’s going to be $14.95 and that fountain soda you order is $4.95 now too. You see everyone wants to argue how much they deserve the increase because they’ll be able to afford more, but I have yet to hear anyone recognize that the issue isn’t solved by increasing pay. Increasing minimum wage is a bandaid that only antagonizes the obvious issue of inflation. The costs of living are out of control whether it be rent or home values. Raising minimum wage doesn’t fix that it makes it worse. The priority should be reducing and managing how inflated these costs to consumers are so that $9hr is a living wage. Not turning a blind eye to the glaring problem and indirectly throwing money at it. I get a sense that consumers think they are being cheated by businesses because they have it made. Small businesses don’t “have it made” and sometimes the slightest changes in costs have the biggest impacts. Small businesses, much like a middle class, are what strengthen an economy, but much like middle class is disappearing because of government so are small businesses because of employees and consumers.
insidmal says
It’s not the employees fault that their employer is going to increase your prices so they can take home an extra half million dollar bonus.nnnAlso, “Small Businesses” are excluded.
Milman36 says
They are not
Sabalom Glitz says
Define “small”. Then look up Class Envy while looking in the mirror at your greedy self.
SOB ! says
Poor sob,
Just an angry, partisan poo poo…
Sabalom Glitz says
Yes, you are. Glad you can see that.
Robin Hood says
You’ve been counting a lot of posts, putz….
Will you ever “achieve” a 10 count ?? Hardly HAR HAR !!! A peek into the private life of a mindless teahadist twit? Ya Little ZERO !! 🙂
HAHAH AHAA HAHAHHAHAHA !!! HAHAHAHAHA !!
diamondmask says
I don’t come into Seattle to eat anyway. Traffic is terrible, parking is exorbitant and practically non-existent, and the eateries are already over priced. This raise in wages won’t keep me from coming to Seattle to eat, Seattle has already taken care of that.
Stirmon says
I am posting this in part because I firmly believe that mandated wages exclude young people from getting jobs. 1 million fewer teenagers are working today than a decade ago. In my opinion, this undeclared war on young people has to end. College debt. Living at home. Excluded from hospitality jobs. Really?nnnThis post by Seattle’s top chef asks legitimate questions. For the record, I have not fact checked the source, it’s late and today has had it’s own challenges, but I’d ask each of you who started working as a teen to please consider this perspective. You, our guests, will not support mandated wages by paying artificially inflated prices, making these laws a transfer of income from small business to entry level employees. Unfortunately the ghost in the room is the stark reality that the current employees who have already worked to earn better wages will find their hard earned efforts sacrificed on the altar of the ’14 political cycle as entry level employees reduce the revenue allocated to wages. nnnWhen unions throw out an agenda that the public does not understand to promote their own interests, at the expense of thousands of people who are currently employed, question the motives. Ad Populum legislation based on a few dramatic instances is like declaring war with bad intelligence. Didn’t work then, won’t work now. To wit…the real dynamic of tipped income is not being discussed. Happy to address the merits as I’ve been lobbying this issue on behalf of young people for four decades. White House, Annapolis, wherever. I have been an advocate for people who depend on hospitality and I now look askance at the current campaign to raise mandated wages. So here it is: the knee jerk, empirically unsupported raising of mandated wages has cost 1m teenage jobs in the last decade, perpetuating the ‘undeclared war’ on young people. Today this is a union/political issue driven by emotion not fact, targeted at the ’14/’16 election cycles. Example: A local bill just passed here. Though required by law, there was no economic income statement attached to the Bill. Why? No empirical data to support the mandates. Consider: you propose marginally raising entry level wages for 900k while cutting jobs completely for 500k. Really. Give it some thought. Again, the people who will pay these wages are not customers nor are they operators. The people who will pay for these mandates are the current employees who are paid between the new mandated wage and $25/hour. Yup. Those who may have earned raises will not see them to accomplish a union agenda. Great stuff, but disingenuous when you are pushing an agenda that you know will have this kind of impact but do not fully disclose who will bear the costs. Further considerations…where in the current media do you see an analysis of the impact of technology in hospitality accelerated by mandated labor costs? The transitioning of mid-casual full service restaurants into QSR feeders that have been cosmetically constructed to provide the feel of a full service operation without a service staff? True..tipping will eventually be eliminated, but because operators will not want to further burden themselves with the costs associated with new IRS requirements. Already the ‘auto-grat’ is going away because of new reporting requirements. Soon servers will be a luxury and most Americans will be serving themselves, ultimately losing a resource, tipped income, that has been invaluable for so many. Phew. Just the tip of the iceberg. I tell you what I told Alan Blinder in the White House in ’93. ‘When the inelasticity of small business intersects with the elasticity of progressive vision, there are consequences that we cannot predict.’ As to the merits of living wages…end the hypocrisy and go for $42/hour. Peace. :)nnnnBTW. Remember your first paycheck…and how proud it made you feel. nnPeace and Love.
insidmal says
I’m sure it has nothing to do with the billions of tax breaks we give corporations for moving jobs out of the country, right?
Matthew Wagner says
” Can or will your employer still afford health care? Staff meals? ” – They already don’t provide health care. Staff meals are always some sort of chicken… I’m sure they will be OK.
Cynthia says
I’m reading this and I see the points, but I also feel for the minimum wage worker in Seattle (of which I was once one) who can barely make rent and has to commute an hour to work downtown from somewhere in the ‘burbs where they share an crappy apartment with three other people they don’t know.nSeattle has become too expensive for the low-income earner, thanks to big firms moving in that can afford to pay their employees a high salary, driving up rent costs. I worked with minimum wage earners during the height of the recession that had MBA’s, for chrissake. In Seattle, one of the most literate and also expensive cities in the U.S., MANY minimum wage workers actually have college degrees. I think these people deserve more, even if the restaurant industry has to take a couple hits here and there.
Roger Zelinski says
Most of those minimum wage workers are like you… in the process of moving up the economic ladder. It’s much harder to do that when you kick out the bottom rungs.nnnThe real minimum wage is $0.00 per hour. Those people who cant find a job are MUCH more likely to be robbing your house.
Brian says
Tipping will disappear. I have never agreed with tips being counted as wages. Tipping is something that should be done as a reward for exceptional service, going above and beyond. No business, or taxing authority, should count on tips that may or may not meet their projections. I tip well, because I had a mother who once worked three waitress jobs to help support a large family. I know how hard servers work for a paltry wage, so I tip accordingly. With their wages now going to $15/hr, I’ll no longer feel the need to tip someone for doing their job. I don’t tip the mailman, the guy at the gas station, or the cop writing parking tickets, why would I tip someone who just does their job in a restaurant? Oh, there’ll be exceptions, but only if I felt the service was “above and beyond”; bringing my food doesn’t qualify. That said, what is this new attitude going to do to a server’s take home pay? It’s going to decimate it, because a good server can bring in far more than $15/hr, but will lose those extra tips, meaning their take home will actually drop. nnI agree with other posters; this will only benefit those collecting taxes, and that only as long as the jobs exist. As businesses have to bear the weight of the increased wages, all along the food chain, many won’t be able to keep their doors open. Those that do, will have to get creative with less employees, and more automation. As the saying goes, socialism only works UNTIL you run out of other people’s money. When that happens, and businesses start to close, the tax man WILL see a drop in tax revenues. The law of supply and demand can’t be overruled by government mandate.
dmanjam says
Seattle’s message to the world. “Don’t even think about owning a business here.”
freeulysses says
Their second message: We are now offering the highest incentive to businesses to automate, have digital kiosks, at-table ordering, etc. Please ramp up your automation and put our poorest Seattle workers out of work. We implore you. We are incentivizing you. Please, please destroy the poorest among us. Because we are stupid. Because we are liberal. We can’t help it. It’s a mental disease.
alvinmullins says
This is all because unions who own most of King, Thurston and Pierce counties get a big raise because the union rates on everything are based on the minimum wage. This is nothing but a union thug shakedown. Good luck Seattle, you’re going to need it.
Brian Crouch says
One thing too rarely addressed: small business owners have a choice. Quit, move, or suffer losses. nSuppose a person had a good job, but opened a business to own something, have more autonomy. She has ten employees, each 40 hours a week, at $15ph, each now expecting $18ph or $19ph (any current $15ph employee is going to both need & expect a raise. A CNA or Paralegal should not earn the same as a dishwasher, thus there will be inflationary pressure on all wages). That cost either eliminates all profits, or effectively prices her services out of the competitive market, and her customers will buy from Tacoma or Bellevue companies instead. Do you move? Would your employees follow you to a new city? Do you shut it down, go back to the full time job, quit being an owner and avoid the struggle to survive? Do you cut staff, outsource more, and raise prices attempting to eke out a slim margin that’s less than what you were earning as an employee? What choice do you try, with no guarantee of survival? nThe only choice that is a non-starter is operating at a loss. Who could do that, or expect that of others? nAre any of these choices going to positively benefit her employees, on balance?
Rob says
I lived in the seattle area for 45 years. The political climate and traffic were the two reasons I left, three years ago, for a beautiful home and farm in central KY. And my annual taxes on a new home and 32 acre farm are less than my friend’s maple valley home on one acre’s MONTHLY taxes. nThings like Big Dig West and this farce only confirm the wisdom of our move.
Rob says
He mentions online shopping. It’s one of the reasons our move was painless. We’ve been costco members since 1988. We live 15 miles from the nearest town now, and almost two hours from the nearest Costco. But Costco online delivers. It is where we buy most of our stuff now. It is just too darned convenient. Oh, and we VERY rarely eat out any more, even though parking and food here is cheap. And there’s no traffic. I’m starting to see cities as a second millennia paradigm that has outlived its usefulness. Where we live now is what I call “The garden of eden, but with more bugs.”
Rob says
Parking. I enjoyed Mariners games when I lived in seattle, but rarely went because of parking, traffic and parking rates. Now we watch the Louisville Bats play in Louisvills Slugger field. The minor’s are actually MORE fun to watch and we get seats two rows up from the home team dugout for $12 and parking a hundred feet from the stadium door for $6. And it is just like a mini Safeco field. Eerily so, actually. There’s a great microbrewry/restaurant right inside too. We do eat there from time to time…nOh, And I mentioned that there’s not real traffic, right? 🙂
Mistakenmass says
If they don’t like the way someone works replace them-15 a hour is peanuts to live in Seattle. In the roofing industry the low paid workers replaced the high paid workers and prices kept going up. Now instead of making a good living business owners want two or 3 houses and all the wealth they can get or it’s poor me- woo is me. Sorry I was around business men for 30 years they will buy a 60 thousand dollar truck boat or second house with cash and then cry they pay too much to employee someone! LOL! If you can’t make it in business paying a living wage step aside because there are thousands of people that can.
freeulysses says
Why is it you are afraid to compete head to head with those business people you hate so much? If a business has a big fat profit margin, you just move in, undercut them, and they go out of business, so you can stop crying like a baby over their new boat. Oh, that requires that you know diddly about business, which you don’t seem to. Every fat margin business is at he mercy of being undercut. If you can’t serve the customer at the same price, then YOU should step aside. It is not any employers duty to pay employees any particular salary. It is an offer of a job at what the employer will pay, and a voluntary acceptance by the new hire. It works great, if you wannabe dictators stay out of the businesses of deciding who can work for what and where. I hope Seattle rots.
Retiredxbusinessguy says
Great comment, couldn’t have said it better myself!
Mistakenmass says
LOL! I’m sure you don’t think there is anything wrong with hiring illegals and doing nothing but cash jobs Too! It’s sad that we need regulations to keep clowns from putting good businesses out of business-too bad your living proof that narcissism is winning the war on the poor 🙁
Mistakenmass says
Oh by the way the independent contractor thing was already tried here in the 90’s if they don’t supply material to do the job they are considered employees! Has State Industrial paid you a visit yet? Maybe if you stopped trying to cheat the system and learned fair pay equals good business you might get a better return on your education 🙂
citrushead says
I’m glad I live outside of Seattle. More economic boom for us at the expense of Seattle. More businesses will start investing more in South King County, East Side, Snohomish, and Pierce County. Perhaps this was a way to get the rent prices down… get everyone, including small business to leave Seattle. More supply, less demand. Wage goes up, Food costs go up, Services prices go up. Not only are unskilled workers going to get a raise, skilled workers will need one. Who want’s skilled work when you can get the same pay as unskilled. The only thing that this wage increase is going to do is make everything cost more in Seattle. So long as cities and counties outside Seattle don’t follow suit, expect good economic booms at Seattle’s expense. Should everyone follow suit, we’ll be back to square one…. anyone up for $20 minimum wage?
Milman36 says
Don’t kid yourself this is just the start and will spread like cancer. Glad I’m just a year or two from moving.
Roger Zelinski says
The Fascist Liberal movement gets this… which is why they will be trying to push this statewide soon.
Auntie_Roux says
The State of Washington has their greedy, meaty hands out for every bit of revenue they can find. I moved away six years ago to Portland. I never shop when I visit Washington (which is about once a month) and only dine out for a ‘destination’ restaurant. The sales tax of nearly 10% is obscene. We are more than happy to pay our ‘income tax’ in Oregon, which I think is far more fair. The people who don’t make enough money to pay income tax also don’t have to pay sales tax. We are grateful that we make enough money to have to pay income tax. I have also met Tom and done business with him on numerous occasions and I respect his opinion. I wish my daughter, who works in the hospitality industry, made more money and had steadier employment, but that was her choice.
DR8R says
As a prospective business owner, 15 dollars an hour would be the average salary range for a district manager with the required knowledge, skills, abilities, several years of experience and a clean record, consequently, I would be forced to abolish entry and intermediate level positions. Also, due to cutbacks in staffing, overqualified personnel would be performing menial business tasks.nIncreasing the minimum wage would be devastating to all US businesses which would negatively affect the struggling US economy.
insidmal says
You must not value your employees.
freeulysses says
You are an idiot. DR*R is making sense, he’s making a rational decision. He will realize that he can do better in a location that isn’t using political calculations to screw up the market. He will start his business in someplace other than Seattle. Free people will always flee oppression and socialism. That doesn’t make them immoral, it makes them intelligent.
Jeff Bailey says
$15.00 an hour is bit over $30,000.00 a year. Rent for a studio apartment, a studio mind you, is close to or exceeds $1000.00 a month in many American cities. That is about half one’s take home just to be able to afford the smallest apartments available. If one is single and has no children you can get by like this but I made this income 15 years ago and it wasn’t easy to make ends meet, and I didn’t live in NYC, San Francisco or Seattle. At the current minimum wage one must have 2 or even 3 jobs to survive. to move up in the world one has to go to school as well. It can be done, I did it but, I don’t see how I could have succeeded with out a lot of support from my family. I’m a college professor now and see a lot of people trying to do just this. working 2-3 jobs and going to school isn’t easy (a bit of an understatement don’t you thin?) and despite their best efforts, many don’t have the support they need from family and friends to succeed and are overwhelmed. I think all the people from the business community making these comments about people being lazy parasites have either been away from the the reality of trying to survive on so little income or, more likely, they’ve never lived there and have no idea what it’s like so there is no way for them to imagine it. And they don’t care to.
Jerzee40 says
wow…one needs many skills to get paid the shitty 15 bucks an hour! If you work 40 hrs a week at 15 an hour that is about 28k a year BEFORE taxes! Does that really mean one is making above poverty level? NO! Your manager with all the skills he is required to know should be making at least 40k a year! That is the problem with this country!
Mar says
I cook for a living and can’t afford to eat what I create. Sounds like I should be happy with my current situation.
Mistakenmass says
Get out of business if you can’t pay a living wage! We paid 15 a hour plus piece work in 1993 our laborers made 12 then along came all the cut throats with MBA’s and lowered the wages too min and 10 per hour with no piece work so they could have bigger toys and more than one home. Slowly like Walmart they pushed the good paying businesses out by paying cash and through cut throat pricing! Now they expect me to cry a river for them? Give me a brake! Just because you chose a poor paying dead end job with your AA or your business pays poorly with your MBA don’t take it out on people without one stuck making min Wage! Go find a better paying job or start a business that people want to use!
jabwocky says
It would be so much better if they could learn to live on less like most of the rest of us, instead of stealing more and more from us…
Brad says
Diana, why do you think organized labor was behind it? One thing about unions is that they are as greedy and manipulative as many billionaires are portrayed to be. The interesting part of this is that once everything settles and the economy adjusts, the same people will start all over again for a $20-$25 minimum wage. Of course politicians will fold again like well used lawn chairs.nnThe moral is: Government should stay out of business in a free market societynn
insidmal says
Yes, how dare the working poor thing they should be fed enough to be able to eat without having to also collect food stamps!! Those greedy bastards!
freeulysses says
They are working poor by choice. They choose the career they are in, and then want to pressure, at the point of a gun, others to pay them what they wish. Yes, they are greedy bastards. Or, please explain how you think they are too stupid and too lazy to be able to work in a better paying job? Unless you think they are incapable of learning programming, welding, or any of 1000 other skills that pay better, then they are working those min wage jobs based on their life choices.
Milman36 says
Yep they will make more, lose their food stamps and pay higher prices. That sounds like the changes to my healthcare
Sabalom Glitz says
Actually, how dare you think you deserve other people’s money. How greedy is that?
Robin Hood says
It’s actually THEIR money…they EARNED IT !!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Unions ruined Detroit.
Robin Hood says
Didn’t Romney close American Motors & agree to an outsourcing deal with Renault ???nnnnnHMMMM ???nnGuess, Seattle was built by unions, according to your “logic”, huh ?
Sabalom Glitz says
If that’s what you call logic then you’re a mindless person. So how’s that Bailout of Government Motors (GM) and it’s Unions going?
LMAO ! says
Outsourcing & inferior products ruined Detroit.
Sabalom Glitz says
Incorrect. But thanks for playing. Nonpartisan Citizens Research Council of Michigan. u201cThat was the nwhole culture u2014 how do we get what we want and not pay for it until ntomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow?u201dnnUltimately, Detroit ended up with $18 billion to $20 billion in debt and unfunded pension and health care liabilities…To Unions and government bureaucrats. Sound familiar?
Stephen Wilson says
Tell me how a guy with a “$2.5 million bottom line” is a small business?
Sabalom Glitz says
Because you have no idea how businesses run.
skinsidedown says
That’s $2.5mil in gross sales, retard. You have no clue how much of that is profit. If its a VERY well run restaurant, it’s in the neighborhood of $200k. 25% reinvestment and the founder/creator/builder/visionary/businessman/chef?/superhero that built said business walks with $150k/year. A decent living, sure but nobodies getting rich here. Most restaurants do far less.
Robin Hood says
LMAO !nnnnnThe “chef” gets $150k, plus all the perks & the workers get $20k & have to work for a pimply faced, drama queen, insulting, jerk ??? nnnnnLMAO ! Nice plan, certainly unbiased & under-intelligent, “man”.nnSorry pal, you’re not running a restaurant, you’re ruining a diner…
Retard ? Nice... says
Poor kid is so dim, he doesn’t realize a diner misses drink mark up, property investment (especially NOW), & branding or franchising.nnnSmall time cook, with a over sized ego. Grabbing the gold & getting a rep for rude.
skinsidedown says
He worked hard, unlike you. How is the mall Santa gig panning out, by the way? Pretty slow, this time of year, I’ll bet. Collecting unemployment? Some other half-assed job? You’re a real inspiration, Pat. Your kids must be so proud.
Robin Hood says
Worked hard more years, than you’ve been alive, child. Kids are proud, pimply firebug !!nnnLMAO !nnnLMAO !nnnnnWhat’s it like to open a budget Red Robin & pretend you’re n”original” ???
MeanieHead says
Seattle should be heading in the direction of Detroit soon. WTG Dummycrats (and you even bigger dummy-commies).
Peter J Bliss says
I see a new wave of contract employees heading this way. This will be the loophole that will be the difference between a business dying or thriving. Require a simple business license from your workers and you can pay them under a 10-99 and the minimum wage does not apply. Or….even better….simply create an LLC owned by the parent corporation that owns the business that provides services to that corporation and make all employees a member with a minimal percentage of ownership. Now you no longer have employees that you have to pay a minimum wage to, provide medical insurance to, or even worry about deductions for L&I, taxes, tips or any of that stuff. They receive their pay as a distribution or dividend based on their ownership of the company. The parent corporation always owns at least 51% of the company so it maintains the controlling majority and the operating agreement can be structured so that a certain percentage of ownership is required to have the right to a vote. You also set up the operating agreement to state that ownership buy-in is a fixed cost of say $1.00 and then all you have to do to fire someone is to hand them their $1.00 back with a simple document stating that the controlling majority voted and they are being bought out for the predetermined amount that is established in the LLC operating agreement. Raises are simple and can be given as either an increase in ownership percentage or you can have a compensatory clause written into your operating agreement that would allow different rates of pay based on merit, or length of time as a member, or any other thing you like. This is extremely simple to set up and once it is in place and your business is operating under this type of structure, you can tell the regulating authorities to go pound sand and there is nothing they can do about it. If they attempt to change anything to deny the ability to structure your company in this manner, they will suddenly find themselves tied up in multiple major lawsuits coming from huge multinational corporations that rely on the ability to structure their companies this way. Essentially you will be protected by those that have very deep pockets because they will be protecting their own interests. One of these days all you liberal fucktards out there will understand the difference between a constitutional republic government based on the concept of individual liberty (which, by the way, is what both our nation and our state is), and the “democracy” that you delusional ass hats all seem to be under the assumption that we have. Wake up people and educate yourselves on the concepts of individual liberty and what “We The People” really means. You can pass all the statutory laws, administrative codes, municipal codes, and county or city ordinances you want, but they have no effect on or authority over the individual that understands the concepts of liberty and know what it means to be one of “We The People”. Unless a law is passed under the authority of Article 1 of the United States Constitution, it has no relevance to or authority over anyone who does not willingly, knowingly, and intentionally enter into a contract obligating them to abide by these laws. All laws are based on voluntary consent, whether implied or specifically stated, and any action against an individual for violating any law proceeds on the assumption that the individual has, in fact, consented to the jurisdiction of these laws and governing authorities. Challenge jurisdiction and make them produce the actual contract that obligates you, and their entire case falls apart…..every time. WAKE UP PEOPLE….WE DO NOT LIVE IN A DEMOCRACY WHERE THE MAJORITY RULES….WE LIVE IN A REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC THAT IS BASED ON INDIVIDUAL SOVEREIGNTY. OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WERE MUCH MORE INTELLIGENT THAN MOST PEOPLE GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR AND THEY SET THINGS UP SO THAT OUR INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES WOULD BE PROTECTED AND GUARANTEED. THE GOVERNMENT ANSWERS TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. THEIR POWERS ARE DERIVED FROM THE PEOPLE AND ANY POWERS NOT SPECIFICALLY DELEGATED TO THE GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE ARE RESERVED TO THE PEOPLE….PERIOD. THIS MEANS THAT IN ORDER FOR ANY ACTION BROUGHT AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE LAWFUL, IT MUST BE BROUGHT BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS AND THERE MUST BE ACTUAL DAMAGES. nnNow I realize that there are going to be countless people out there that are content to keep drinking the kool-aid and will say all sort of derogatory things in response to this post, but I want you all to know that I forgive you because I know that you are speaking from your fear and ignorance and it is my position that everyone of you has been lied to and enslaved by that very same fear and ignorance. Whenever we attempt to use government to perpetrate an agenda, they are happy to oblige, but it always comes at the cost of our liberty. In the end, we are all ensnared in the vast web that has been created unless you understand who you really are and how being one of “We The People” enables you to avoid this.
richintexas says
Haven’t seen anyone weigh in on this aspect yet: With the proliferation of credit cards, waiters’ tip money goes first to the house, where 5-6% of the total bill comes out of the waiters’ take home pay. That’s a third of their tip money. Now, I don’t know about Tom Douglas’s restaurant, but Top Chef Mario Batali was caught stealing $5Million dollars from his staff–that had to have an impact on servers’ bottom line. The courts made him have to pay it back. Let’s see restaurant owners quit stealing from their staffs before they complain about having to raise minimums.
Nic P says
This comment is ludicrious- FYI – the thought that every restaurant takes 5-6% of credit card tips to the house. Batali had to pay for money that he took to compensate other positions and/or put into profit but this is not a common practice. Reports that come directly from the POS (point of sale – ie register) show the amount that was given in credit card tips to the employee. By law, you cannot skim money off of that (ie – why Batali settled). You can have policies for employees to share tips with bussers, hosts/hostesses but the business and/or management cannot make any of this. Your comment makes as much sense as me assuming that because your name says, ‘Texas’ that you surely are committing accounting fraud like Enron.
richintexas says
I wouldn’t have written if I didn’t have knowledge and belief about more than one of the offenders. How do you know what I wrote is ludicrous? You smeared me with a guilt-by-association assertion. Here in Texas we’d say you’re full of s**t.
Realist NP says
You said it as a fact – you said “waiters’ tip money goes first to the house, where 5-6% of the total bill comes out of the waiters’ take home pay.” You didn’t say you knew more than one offender, you insinuated it is a common practice for all. It is not a common practice. That is the truth. You are wrong. So just because someone once had sex with their dog in Texas, should I assume you do the same? Here in the rest of ‘Merica we’d say you’re the one full of s**t – Texas sized shit. Stop believing what FOX news told you once happened as a generalization for every business – there are 600k restaurants in the country and you mentioned what one did to apply it to this situation, to smear the restaurant industry.
richintexas says
Please see my subsequent posts. I ask your help in addressing the questions I pose: How can a server get his employer to obey the law and allow him to keep his tips without filing a formal complaint and without losing his job?
Sabalom Glitz says
$6 Billion Dollars went missing Under Hilary at the State Department. I bet you don’t care about that do you? 🙂
richintexas says
And a trillion dollars was missing at the Defense Department, as announced by Sec’y Rumsfeld on 9/10/2001. And your point is?
IndyfromAZ says
That your partisanship throttles common sense. Just exactly what I except some liberal to say. So predictable.
Robin Hood says
LMAO !nnnnnPartisanship ??nnnnnPot, this is kettle….nnnLMAO !nnnA little old & crusty, but look at who you decent folks are replacing.
IndyfromAZ says
Childish people like you….I fear for the future.
Robin Hood says
I fear for the present, when you’re such a putz, moniKKKEr.
Robin Hood says
Are you capable of anything but childish replies??
Sabalom Glitz says
You’re Immature.
Robin Hood says
He has a perfect point & the closest you’ll get is childish pimples….nnnLMAO !
richintexas says
One knows one don’t they? You have too much time on your hands. And yes, some of you are thieves. If the truth hurts it ought to.
Sabalom Glitz says
Yeah, but Democrats are so much better at being thieves.
Robin Hood says
Yeah, but that’s the opinion of a proven liar…nnnnnLMAO !nnnnnDid it to yourself, hon…
Sabalom Glitz says
Liberals result to calling people “lairs” when they lose.
Robin Hood says
It’s “liar” & you gave the White house are your “address”, dear…
Robin Hood says
It’s Hillary & you need better news sources….
Sabalom Glitz says
And you need maturity.
Sobaload says
You need a tranq…
LMAO !
Guest says
Only to put up with mindless children liken you.
Sabalom Glitz says
Only to have to put up with mindless children like you.
Robin Hood says
You’ve been counting a lot of posts, putz….
Will you ever “achieve” a 10 count ?? Hardly HAR HAR !!! A peek into the private life of a mindless teahadist twit? Ya Little ZERO !!
🙂
HAHAH AHAA HA AHA !!! HAHAHAHAHA !!
skinsidedown says
Come into my restaurant and accuse me of stealing. I’ll break that bald peanut head open for you.
richintexas says
This is what I actually wrote, or meant to write: “With the proliferation of diners paying with credit cards, waiters’n tip money goes first to the house, where 5-6% of the total bill nsometimes comes out of the waiters’ take home pay.” Somehow “sometimes” didn’t make it into the page; perhaps someone or something edited my comment, I don’t know (discus can be edited). I know all restaurants don’t do this; it’s illegal. But I know restaurants that do. Not naming names, but my son works at one; he doesn’t want to lose his job. Batali sticks out as a prominent offender. I didn’t mean to smear the industry with a broad brush; many of my friends are in it. But what are servers like my son to do?
Betty Bombed says
Which will lead to assault charges, incarceration, & proof positive you’re a immature moron….
skinsidedown says
Might still be worth it. Come on in and let’s find out.
Betty Dud says
Another internet tough guy / time waster…. Betty Bombers GA, the “restaurant” with the mouthy moron….nnnnnYou “might” be worth a tip, but I won’t drop in to eat Red Robin Cuisine….
Betty Boob says
Why don’t you STFU, jr…
insidmal says
I’m sorry you will only be able to take in 1.5 Million in profits this year instead of 1.7 Million.. it must be very difficult for you…
Eme says
TOM with all the respect I think you are very wrong.Look at New York City.nIts very Expensive, people go there and dine every day.nTOM CAN YOU PLEASE TELL PEOPLE HOW MUCH YOU MAID LAST YEAR WITH YOUR RESTAURANTS.JUST REMEMBER THIS PERSON< EVERY THING WILL BE FINEnTHE PEOPLE THAT MAKES IT BAD FOR US<ARE BANKERS<They take $ FROM US,nLOOK AT THE WALL STREET. we need to do something about it.not the Goverment in Seattle.
Eme says
EVERY ONE LISTEN, EVERYTHING WOULD BE JUST FINEnYOU DONT KNOW.LOOK AT NEW YORK CITY,
Steve MD says
When the gov started a min wage, back in the 60s if you would adjust for inflation it would be $20 an hour, putting the min wage at $15 isn’t the problem, its all the other crap the government has done to business that make them close doors, most companies are now struggling do to the taxes, the regulations and other crap, so when they try and up min wage it cripples the companies and min wage gets blamed, I can write 10 pages as examples, but i will only show you a couple, liquor licences, A local company (near me) had to pay 5 million dollars to get one, when building their place… Do you have any idea how much you would have to sell just to break even? S.S. not only do you have to pay out of your pay check, but for each employee a company hires they have to pay about 8% on top of 10ish other taxes to hire you, There are another dozen fees for opening a company, If the government just stops with the death by 1000 cuts everyone would be in the middle wage bracket, everyone could afford single income houses, If you look at middle class in america and cross reference with new rules or taxes or other crap government invents you will see instantaneously smaller middle class and a larger poor class
Jim says
We all know the rent in Seattle not be going up nor will the price of food at the grocery stores. Also the tourist will stay away in droves for the reason everything will cost more to stay there. I’m sorry I call it Seattle, I should have called it Detroit 2.1. Next title of a best seller How to Kill a Great City.nI’m not from Georgia, but I have been there and I have been to Detroit error Seattle, Georgia is a great state and it does not rain every day. Check out the suicide rate in Seattle, people are.killing themselves because they live their.
Realist NP says
Every time a ridiculous person makes a comment of ‘Owners can take it out of their profit’ or ‘The business will just make less profit’ you all need to realize exactly what you actually are saying. It’s not LESS profit that restaurants/bars are worried about, it’s NO profit. NO profit means NO business, which means NO jobs. So fighting for $15 minimum wage may mean the wage increases but there are LESS hours or NO hours to be had. That is called a ‘lose-lose’ situation. nnLet me break down the economics of restaurants and then maybe the most educated of you, that had not seen the reality of restaurant economics, can give restaurant owners the solution they are not seeing.nnLet’s say you and your boo go out to dinner and it costs you $100 (excluding tips). In most restaurants, $40 of this goes to wages (including benefits, worker’s comp, payroll taxes, social security, etc). $30 goes to the cost of your meal/drinks (nice piece of salmon for you, a steak for your girl and your two glasses of wine), $10 goes to pay for monthly expenses (trash pickup, dishwashing chemicals, pest control programs, licenses for food service and more – vital things to a safe business), $10 goes to pay for rent and utilities, $5 goes to pay for taxes depending on your city/state. That leaves the “fat cat owners” with a whopping $5 profit! Woohoo, they made it big! On a bigger scale, a $3 million dollar a year restaurant would profit around $150,000 to the owners/investors that likely spent about $500k to $1 million to build/train/open, hoping to invest for 5-10 years into the community and finally make money out of it after that time. Remember, the entire time the business is open, whether they make back their money or not, they are investing in the community essentially by paying wages to their employees and supporting their families and by paying taxes, also inherently providing jobs for the distributors of food and alcohol that deliver products, the state food inspector, trashman, etc.nnNow let’s give everyone a RAISE! WOO HOO! ($9 to $15 is 66% increase on wages) For all the kids paying attention, $40 of the $100 spent goes to wages. (Since there are payroll taxes, social security, worker’s comp, benefits, etc – only $30 of that $40 goes to directly to the employee, so let’s raise that $30 cost by 66% to $49.98. Then add back in the $10 from payroll taxes, social security, etc) Now let’s do this model again. You pay $100 for you and your girl’s dinner. $59.98 now goes to paying for the increases wages – WOO HOO RAISES! $35 now goes to the cost of your meal/drinks (distributors had to raise their prices, they have to pay more than minimum wage now too), $12 goes to monthly expenses (trash raised pickup pricing, they had to increase wages – pest control people raised pricing, they had to increase wages, etc), $10 for rent and utilities, $5 goes to taxes. That means it cost the business $121.98 to make $100 in sales.nnQuestion to the mensa genuises supporting the increase – where do we become more efficient as a business?nA. Fire half the staff to reduce the amount spent on labor. One bartender/server for a Friday night is sufficient to take care of the whole place. One cook can handle a busy night and wash dishes. One manager can work 7 days a week right? They don’t need a break, they can work harder. Your service will suffer, but you’ll still come back again and again even if it sucks since you support Seattle businesses and their minimum wage workers right?nB. Reduce the portions, keep prices the same. We can give one egg breakfasts instead of two, one slice of bacon per plate, a half sized beer (8 oz), 3 oz Salmon dinner, 4 oz Filet Mignon. You’ll still come back, right?nC. Cut out those pesky expenses like dishwasher chemicals, pest control programs, trash pickups, rentnD. Decline to pay the landlord rent or pay the government taxes (politely decline of course)nE. Raise prices by 25% hoping that you get the same amount of business with that increase. I mean, you’ll support us by paying $7.50 for a beer that previously cost $6, right?!nF. Leave Seattle, and all the hard work you’ve invested, and the families supported by your business, to go to a city that actually understands business models and supports growing them.nnRealize that this will happen with all businesses – book stores, grocery stores, liquor stores and retail have even less of a mark up than restaurants/bars. They will all just raise prices and people will buy things online instead. Local businesses will die, big box places like ‘Outback Steakhouse’ and ‘Red Lobster’ will take the hit in the short term (cause they can afford to) while other businesses close and then raise prices when they are the only ones left.
Milman36 says
Glad to see someone take the time to spell it out. I own a small business and get so tired of hearing about the Millions CEO’s makes as a way to justify the big raise, they are a very small percentage. I work many 70+ hours per week (as many small business owners do) and last year made a whopping $80,000. I had better years in the past but since 2009 sales are just not getting back up there yet. nnnThe other thing you need to factor in is the increase in products at every level. Not only will restaurants have an increase in wages to cover but if this gets outside of Seattle you will also see cost go up for farmers and meat producers. Those cost will be passed on to the wholesaler and they will also have increased labor cost. All of those cost will then be passed on to restaurants and retailers and for us to survive those cost will get passed on to the consumer. nnnThe others that will feel this the most are young families with kids in daycare as most daycare workers are minimum wage and the elderly on fixed incomes that will not be able to pay the increased prices at the stores.nnnI wish people would slow down and really look at the facts. On the surface giving one a raise sounds great, just like everyone having affordable healthcare and we know how that’s working out.
What took so long? says
Inflation table look up $3.25/hr – 1974 = $15.00/hr 2014. The real question is why did it take 30 years to adjust the wages to keep the same buying power as 30 years ago?
Sabalom Glitz says
So what causes inflation? Could one of them be Spending like a drunken idiot and running up debts- like $7 1/2 Trillion in 5 1/2 years under your God. 🙂 (now this is where you say “it was Bush’s fault”) 🙂
Robin Hood says
Yeah,
It wasn’t Bush’s fault he ruined the country….
LMAO !
Poor SOB, you’re simply a partisan fool, worshiping at the trough of tainted teabagger….
Sabalom Glitz says
Better than your bitter partisan mudpit.
Robin Hood says
HAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHhHAahahahahhahah !
Bernie Smith says
I do not live in Seattle, but my thoughts were very similar to those written here. While reading I realized I am now not likely to ever visit Seattle. The costs incurred as a tourist would be too great. I will now visit Portland instead, no sales tax and a reasonable minimum wage.
Damian says
Stop winging and get on with it. Competition breeds excellence. Don’t like it? Move up the ladder or get off
Mitch LaMoure says
My wife and I own a Gym … I use to own a bike shop and currently I own a one man show metal fab shop far far away from Seattle. Do to the $15 our employees and those who own bike shops in Washington are insisting on wage increases. We’ve always paid more than minimum wage but not $15 a hr. Bike mechanics are highly skilled and knowledgeable workers but most are only paid $12 – $15 a hr. When I was welding ships I was getting $21.50 a hr. as a highly skilled certified welder and felt lucky to get that wage. There’s not much work out there for us. …Now a Seattle (and soon all Washington) unskilled waiter or parking attendant will make more with TIPS than a Certified Welder. That’s why I became a self employed welder. Now, even though we don’t live in Seattle the “spirit” of the $15 a hr. wage increase has effected our business’s and our friends who own business’s. I for one will not be hiring anyone soon and will take more load on myself rather than deal with employees and forced Government wages …. THANKS SEATTLE ! 🙁
IndyfromAZ says
The government demands your business increase your costs 60% and you don’t think there will be consequences. I love how liberals that caused this problem think there class warfare is the answer.nI hope they layoff lots of liberals (who in turn will blame the business community rather than themselves).nI here a SeaTac Parking company has already added a “living wage tax” increase on their parking fees.
IndyfromAZ says
Prediction: The Liberals who were so greedy that they needed $15/hr will find that the prices of restaurants and other stuff will go up substantially so they’ll have to shop in the suburbs until their virus consumes them to and then in 10 years (or less) they’ll be screaming that $15/hr isn’t a “living wage” and the cycle will repeat itself.
Robin Hood says
So your “theory” is inflation exists ??
How novel…. nitwit.
Sabalom Glitz says
http://seattle.eater.com/archives/2014/06/10/restaurateurs-weigh-in-on-seattles-15-minimum-wage.phpnJeremy Hardy nnOwner, Coastal Kitchen and MiopostonnThis is a game changer. The myriad of unintended consequences it too ncomplex to really understand; even for restaurant veterans. There was nincredible anger generated by a series of callous, recession causing, nbig-bonused bad actors on Wall Street while the rest of us were falling ninto the recession abyss. Those guys in Wall Street must be nchucklingu2014like the invasion of Iraq the 15Now folks missed the target byn about 3,000 miles. But we sit in the crossfire.nn nnAs a lifelong liberal I have always been angry when businesses and npoliticians decry the loss of jobs over a CPI $.40 minimum wage increasen because that is ridiculous. This is different. We cannot survive if we continue doing business as usual. I hope the public will continue to support their favorite spots while everybody figures this thing out. Wen are going to adjust using all of the tools at our disposal; pricing, nreducing menu offerings, look at operating hours, reducing labor where nwe can and certainly not opening another business in our beloved nSeattle. Our business model will need to change. In a business nwhose goal is “to build community one relationship at a time” this nreduction in labor is going to make that even more difficult.nn nnWe have raised 100’s of thousands for schools, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, nMercy Corps, tsunami survivors, Darfur, the victims of Oso, and ncountless other non-profits over the years while providing health ninsurance, education reimbursements, and ongoing training for our nemployees. It falls somewhere between feeling sad and feeling betrayed that this grenade has been dropped on us.
Robin Hood says
Blathering, from greedy owners ?? nnnnReally sad, these folks are doing little to help their own friends & workers…
Sabalom Glitz says
And you’re doing even less.
Robin Hood says
Really ?
What am I doing, Sob ?
Sabalom Glitz says
You’re a supporter of them losing their jobs. Such Partisan blindness on your part.
Robin Hood says
Why will they lose jobs, again ???
Seems the work is there & Seattle is growing everyday… GO for a long walk, you need less hate in your angry, miserable, existence…
Use ObamaCares, get a mental health screening STAT !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Wanna know where the lowest unemployment in the nation is and why? (you’ll hate the answer). 🙂
Sabalom Glitz says
Oh and I don’t need ObamaCare (not Obamacares by the way, because he doesn’t) because I can actually pay for my health insurance. Being an evil non-liberal. 🙂
Robin Hood says
You’ve been counting a lot of posts, putz….
Will you ever “achieve” a 10 count ?? Hardly HAR HAR !!! A peek into the private life of a mindless teahadist twit? Ya Little ZERO !!
🙂
HAHAH AHAA H HAHA !!! HAHAHAHAHA !!
Robin Hood says
Poor senile broad…..
Get help, seriously…………………….
HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ~!
Sabalom Glitz says
What a sexist. Thinks everyone’s a broad.
Robin Hood says
Duhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhh !! I’m Sob… DuHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !
Get help, seriously…………………….
HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ~!
Sabalom Glitz says
Oh look, it’s more cut-and-past pablum of the day.
Robin Hood says
Snark, snark…Snark, snark, snark….
HAHAHHAHAAHAH HAHAHAAHH !!! HAHHAHAAHAHAHHAHAH ~~~ !!! HAHA AH AAHAHA !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Just the sad truth about you RH. A mind is terrible thing to waste…
Robin Hood says
See how you never actually had anything intelligent to contribute, dear ????
Isn’t it nice to take your moronic blinders off & spew your empty headed inanities ??
This is the real you…useless.
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, I can’t contribute anything intelligent to someone who has no intelligence to understand it in the first place, dearie. You can’t make a rock understand anything.
Robin Hood says
Too mindless to spell a 3 letter word, eh ???
HAHAHAHAHAHAAH AHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!
Love the “I’m intelligent” claim…. That ship sailed & sank, when you lied so poorly the last couple times…
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, you’re senile if you think I’m a broad. 🙂
Robin Hood says
Duhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhh !! I’m Sob… DuHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !
Get help, seriously…………………….
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ~!
Sabalom Glitz says
well that’s cut-and-paste #3 for the day…
Sabalom Glitz says
Brandon McGill- If somebody sees a “busy” restaurant at lunch, with 150 eaters dining nthere throughout the lunch hour, and each person spends $15 dollars, then restaurant just rang $2,250. If labor comprises significantly more thann 30 percent, the restaurant won’t be in business for long. So that nallows 675 total for labor for the day, before the L&I taxes we pay nthat allows $550 or so. At $15 an hour, that allows 36 labor hours, nwhich means four people can work a full day. This assumes that everyone nis making the new minimum. Now look around in a busy restaurant serving n150 people in a serviceu2014do you see more than 4 employees? Of course you ndo. The new math breaks the system. There seems to be a fallacy nthat instead of lining our richie-rich pockets, business owners will nsimply break off a little more for their employees. I barely get paid n$15 an hour.
Robin Hood says
Spamming ?nnLMAO ! OK, good for the goose…nnLMAO !nnLook how “cleverly” you switched from a “lunch hour” to a full day’s labor….nnAre you a complete idiot or INSANE !!!!!nnLMAO !nnYeah, you “used” new math & if it were a woman, she’d SCREAM RAPE !!!nnIf you have to lie, you realize you’re wrong, RIGHT ???
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, it’s “Common Core” Math… 🙂
Robin Hood says
LMAO !nnYOU LIED !!! LMAO !nnWhat a childish deflection !!nnLook how “cleverly” you switched from a “lunch hour” to a full day’s labor….nnAre you a complete idiot or INSANE !!!!!nnLMAO !nnYeah, you “used” new math & if it were a woman, she’d SCREAM RAPE !!!nnIf you have to lie, you realize you’re wrong, RIGHT ???
Sabalom Glitz says
“What Difference Does it Make” It was the fault of a You Tube Video. 🙂
Robin Hood says
Are you off your meds ?? Those moronic partisan pot shot phrases do NOTHING for America, kinda like cantor….
Sabalom Glitz says
I agree, that’s why we need to get rid of Liberals like you. (since it was one YOU lot that said it) 🙂
Robin Hood says
You’re not childish, you’re not, you’re not, you’re NOT !!
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, we can both agree on that. 🙂
Robin Hood says
Was that English ?
So, you come to message boards & spew inanities as practice, right ?
Probably hate American workers, since you’ve avoided intelligent arguments here…
Be pretty nice, to see American workers have more money to spend, time for
their families, rather than second jobs, & a little dignity !
Poor Sob, just a really poor loser, with an unhappy “life”.
Robin Hood says
Was that English ?nnnnnSo, you come to message boards & spew inanities as practice, right ?nnnnnProbably hate American workers, since you’ve avoided intelligent arguments here…
Sabalom Glitz says
Well, it’s interesting all your assumption are based on childish hatred.
Robin Hood says
Yeah,
According to the terrorist, the video inflamed the protesters. PUTZ !!!
LMAO !
You’re a well trained partisan parrot, now send Rushbo more $$$ for Oxy.
Sabalom Glitz says
Yeah, they just happen to see it 3 months prior and on a slow night decided to go by the Consulate with an RPG… <<>
skinsidedown says
“The lunch hour” or “Lunch service” is what it’s called, numbnuts. Roughly from 10 to 2 or 3. Generally a new shift comes in for the “Dinner hour” or “Dinner shift” at 4 or 5, so yes, it’s a full 6 or 7 hour shift and his math still holds up. Try to avoid cumming in your pants and jumping up and down because you thought you found a fallacy. You’re the only fallacy here.
Robin Hood says
Funny, your “story” called it a shift & did the math for 8 hours, MORON !!!nnLMAO !nnNow you’re saying it’s 4-5 hour & you have 30 customers an hour ??nnThat’s not a “busy ” restaurant, that’s a family business with 6 workers per shift tops, teabagged tw@t !!
skinsidedown says
You’re wrong again. Just like the time you decided to rely on a community college degree, Pat. No wonder you’re bucking for a higher minimum wage. What a disgrace. Is that your idea of “making it in Seattle?” Nice work. Do you not understand how jobs work? You’re friggin’ clueless. You think 30 customers per hour is evenly distributed retard? They mostly come between 11:30 and 2 when it’s balls to the wall. The staff has to come in early to set up and stay after to clean and get ready for dinner service. The kitchen needs pre-shift prep, enough cooks on the line to handle a busy service, then clean and restock. My day Sous comes in at 9 to handle deliveries and begin prep. Dishwasher and 2 or 3 cooks by 10. After a busy lunch and clean up, sometimes we can cut somebody if it’s slow, but the dinner service needs to arrive by 5, that’s another 3 cooks. This is a waste of time. You’ll never get it. Have you ever even worked in a restaurant? You’ve certainly never built a business. Entrepreneurs risk everything they have and may not make $15/hour for years, and when they fail, they lose everything, and are still on the hook for their loans, while you and your minimum wage brethren just hop on to the next high paying, low responsibility job. By the way, the Tea Party is a disgrace, as are the free handout, “let the small business owners do with less” mo#%&*f@ckers like you. I lean liberal on most topics but this is idiocy.
Robin Hood says
I see you ignore the math, in favor of blathering insults…. LMAO !nnnDISMISSED !!!nnnLMAO!nnnClueless about Seattle & lied about the numbers, numbskull.
skinsidedown says
How much of a raise will $15/ hour be for you?
Robin Hood says
Haven’t had $15 per hour, since your mommy was stripping…Good times, pimple puss…nnnnnLMAO !nnBetty Bombers named after her boobs, right boob ? Maybe, I’ll stop in & tip you what you’re worthless…
Robin Hood says
It would just about triple your server’s wages, right ??nnnnnnnIRONIC, huh ??? “Attempting” to insult me, with a higher wage, than you offer ??nnnnPITIFUL PIMPLY POS…nnnnnLMAO !
Robin Hood says
Seth Musler,nnnAsk the servers at Bombed out Betty’s how they like low pay & rude managers…
Robin Hood says
Hey Seth,nnnWhat’s with the guest moniker COWARD!???nnnnnAfraid being a jerk might hurt business ???
Inbreeding Bad says
So, a lunch soup & sandwich/ burger fry is what you’re basing a “busy” restaurant’s cost analysis on?nnnnnIMBECILIC
skinsidedown says
Say what??
skinsidedown says
Wtf are you talking about?
Sabalom Glitz says
The 15Now movement has repeatedly declared that this is about big ncorporations like Burger King and Walmart, but it is very unlikely that nthese companies will suffer (there aren’t actually any Walmarts in the ncity of Seattle anyway). Local, independent restaurants and retailers will be the ones who are really going to struggle and some will go out of business.n At the very least, customers across the board are going to have to pay nmore to accommodate the new wage. Some people will be okay with that butn I worry that our guests will start spending less and going out nless as they adjust to higher prices and their own wage compression.–Angela StowellnnCFO/Owner, Ethan Stowell Restaurants
Robin Hood says
Actually, it’s about a living wage, but thanks for your weak deflection…nnnLMAO !
Robin Hood says
A CFO worries about profit, while the folks serving food in the restaurants worry about rent ??
Gotta go with the workers, here dear…
LMAO !!
Now quote a shareholder, saying the working poor are greedy…
LMAO !
Sabalom Glitz says
Yeah, because without the boss they’d be so much better off… 🙂
Robin Hood says
CFO is the bookkeeper, dimwit….
LMAO !
What an idiot !!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAhahhhahah !!
Sabalom Glitz says
Ah, the blind being lead by the clueless, that’s our RH. He steals childish putdowns… 🙂
Robin Hood says
LMAO !
Poor SOB, you’re simply a partisan fool, worshiping at the trough of tainted teabagger….
What an idiot !!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAhahhhahah !!
Sabalom Glitz says
Says the mindlessly childish class warrior RH. 🙂
Robin Hood says
You’re an “our” ?? Use ObamaCares, get a mental health screening STAT !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Gee, he reposted his allegedly pithy putdown misspelled . How adorable… 🙂
Sabalom Glitz says
Gee, he re-posted his allegedly pithy putdown misspelled . How adorable… 🙂
Robin Hood says
There is a reason why Michael Medved refers to Libertarians as “Losertarians.”
Sabalom Glitz says
Yeah, and there are reason why Liberals like you are wrong and too childish to see it.
Robin Hood says
HAHHAHAHAAHHAHAHAAHAH ~!!!!
There is a reason why Michael Medved refers to Libertarians as “Losertarians.”
Sabalom Glitz says
Since I’m not a Libertarian your childish insult is wasted, just like your mind.
Robin Hood says
I should taje ??
LMAO !
Duhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhh !! I’m Sob… DuHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !
Get help, seriously…………………….
HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ~!
Sabalom Glitz says
Taje? Sorry, are you having a delusional exchange with someone else? There is no “taje” in the about comment. Maybe you should see a doctor for your delusions.
Robin Hood says
Since, you’re a not so bright liar, I’ll happily take my chances…
IE-Yoy should taje youn own advice first: “GO for a long walk, you need less hate in your angry, miserable, existence…”
LMAO !
Poor, angry Sob, nothing but a sloppy, STOOPID slob….
Sabalom Glitz says
Such a bratty little child you are RH.
Robin Hood says
Snark, snark…Snark, snark, snark….
HAHAHHAHAAHAH HAHAHAAHH !!! HAHHAHAAHAHAHHAHAH ~~~ !!! HAHAHAHAAHAHA !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Blah blah Blah….
Robin Hood says
Snort, snorf, snorf….
Sabalom Glitz says
ah, the unintelligible making up of words by RH again. Did you have circuit breaker blow? or is this just your normal level of intellectual discourse? 🙂
Robin Hood says
Too mindless to spell a 3 letter word, eh ???
HAHA HAHAAH AHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!! Snort, snorf, snorf….
Love the “I’m intelligent” claim…. That ship sailed & sank, when you lied so poorly the last couple times…
Sabalom Glitz says
Sorry about your lisp then. 🙂
Robin Hood says
Such a ZERO !
HAHAHAHAHAH HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHH !
Robin Hood says
Snark, snark…Snark, snark, snark….
HAHAHH HAH HAHAHAAHH !!! HAHHAHAAHAHAHHAHAH ~~~ !!! HAHAHAHAAHAHA !!!!
Sabalom Glitz says
To mindless to come up with even a remotely original insult,eh?
Robin Hood says
Too mindless to spell a 3 letter word, eh ???
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!
Sabalom Glitz says
Yeah, that does seem to be the upper level of your limited intelligence.
Robin Hood says
Such a ZERO ! Too, to, & two….
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHH !