tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926870823165438047.post1089464090837431917..comments2024-01-21T10:04:31.352-06:00Comments on Searching for Ithaka: Most of the Jobs Added Were Worthless Jobs but Hoorah ... ReallyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152407256780002310noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926870823165438047.post-25852568474298377762017-08-06T06:10:53.110-05:002017-08-06T06:10:53.110-05:00All the while we see the pie chart in which the bu...All the while we see the pie chart in which the budget for the military in 2015 was 54% and shows every indication yet more. The chance of the worker ever again getting an even break in America doesn't look particularly good. The parties stopped having any interest when they have different party balloons but the same military budgets and I still don't hear anyone saying something needs to be done about it. The military crucifies the country and the people only want selfies while they do it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152407256780002310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926870823165438047.post-56681108854828107022017-08-05T17:52:52.852-05:002017-08-05T17:52:52.852-05:00Obama inherited the bottom of the worst economy si...Obama inherited the bottom of the worst economy since the Great Depression when he took office in 2009. The unemployement rate reached 10% in October 2009, He could not be blamed for the Great Recession anymore than Trump can take credit for the jobless rate of 4.3% currently. The fact that we are reaching or have reached full employment is an accomplishment that definitely goes to the Obama administration.<br /><br />As you point out, Obama failed to lift the working poor out of poverty. The minimum wage was increased several times under the Bush administration and stood at $7.25 in 2009. That is exactly where it stands today. Obama did call for legislation to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 in 2014. Congressional Democrats were unable to get the legislation passed. The fact that these workers were left behind is one reason why Trump appealed to them. <br /><br />There has been improvement in providing workers a higher standard of living in the USA over the last several decades. Currently 29 states have higher minimum wages than the Federal. Statistics show in 1979 the percentage of minimum wage workers was 13.4%. In 2012 the number was 4.7% and as of 2014 the number was 4.3% (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2014). <br /><br />Still this leaves about 3.3 million working for poverty wages. There has been little talk about increasing the minimum wage since Trump took office. This is a measure he could certainly take credit. It is time to at least adjust for the 8 years of inflation (2%/yrX8=16% or about $8.35). Yes, that is far from the $15 some cities have already enacted in some high wage areas like Seattle. However, that amount is at least a start in assisting those who voted for Trump. Politically, this is a reasonable amount that should have a good chance of passing. <br />States and cities can and should continue to dictate higher amounts.<br /><br />So while there has been improvement, as you indicate there is still a long way to go in providing at least a minimum wage that is a livable wage for all working Americans.Cadillac Mannoreply@blogger.com