“You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot lift the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. You cannot build character and courage by taking away men’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.”

— Presbyterian clergyman William Boetcker (1873-1962)

The grandest scheme ever perpetrated, besides liberalism and Keynesian economics, is the idea that wage equality must be attained somehow. So who is railing the most for such idiocy? Democrats and activists (Where do these people come from? Don’t they have jobs in which to spend their time more constructively?).  How can a person working at any fast food establishment (McDonald’s is usually inserted here – there are more than just McDonald’s paying “fast food” wages) expect to earn a higher wage if they are not the manager or owner?

These were always, always entry level jobs for high school and part-time workers – they weren’t meant to be a career, but a stepping stone to something better after proper skills and behaviors were learned, practiced and ingrained. Starting and ready for work on time, working with others, being pleasant to customers, projecting a positive attitude to employers, co-workers and customers, willing to help in any situation, asking for more responsibilities (which also may help boost wages), and be considered a good, responsible, and steady employee. Once it is determined the employee has skills and abilities to help earn the wages they are paid, usually a raise is given after a period of time. If not, the employee has a decision to make; stay where you’re at, or look for another job.

Years ago, most high school kids had a part-time job, worked on the farm or in the family business, or played sports after school. Now with the higher minimum wage, employers are looking for adult workers, since the minimum wage is not as low as it used to be. Young people wanting to earn money while in high school have to hunt hard to find an employer willing to hire them. These are good kids, just wanting a chance to work and earn money. Too bad, most employers say, I can now get an adult at the same price?

How do you get to the higher paying jobs? The only way to earn more is to have earned knowledge or skills that are viewed as valuable and the work place is willing to pay higher wages to get those workers. The hardest area to find skilled workers nowadays – doctors, lawyers, educators – no, they are valuable and earn a nice wage, but the most difficult jobs to fill are plumbers, electricians, tool and die, heavy construction, crane/dozer operators and many others. They pay good wages and benefits and they are in demand – employers I speak with say they will help train workers; they just can’t get the right workers.

When I ask what the “right” worker is, they look me in the eye and smile. “One that comes to work every day and gives me a good day’s work — I usually get drunks, druggies, mental cases, divorced with problems with either the former spouse or present significant other. If I do get a good one, they work for a year or two and either start their own business or get another job in the industry with some other outfit. I have very few long-term employees, and I pay them top dollar for the job with benefits.”

I’ve known this guy for years – I know some of the long term employees he used to have (most of them retired while with his company) said they were treated well and received excellent wages and benefits. They must have done well. Everyone I know owns what he or she has and they are comfortable in retirement. Every one of them praised his company and what he did when they couldn’t work because of injury or family problems – he would pay them as though they were on the job. One guy told me he hurt his back and was out work for six months and was paid all through that time. He was really thankful and praised the owner for doing so.

The owner is almost 80 years old and still has a passion for what he and his company does (heavy construction). He says the American guys he gets now don’t want to work as hard as his previous employees – he has hired many Mexicans and every one is a good worker – he only hires with the advice of his present workers on friends seeking work. They are good employees and learn quickly, there on the job site every day. His best crane operator is a woman, so he doesn’t discriminate because of sex. He only discriminates on those that can’t cut it at work. If you can’t, you are asked to leave – he can’t afford a poor performing worker.

Let’s examine a recent wage increase for the city of Seattle to $15 per hour, evidently phased in over three years. The most striking thing I noticed was there was no “thanks” from those starting to receive the increase, if there was, I didn’t notice it. I did hear one person say they were taking more out of her check in taxes and that really ticked her off. Yup, progress has its rewards – paying more taxes to Uncle Sam, state, and local government. Welcome to my world.

To receive more, you have to know and learn more, making yourself more marketable to those seeking such skills and knowledge. If you aren’t willing to do that, either by practical knowledge coupled with technical training, or going to college to train in that skill or specialty, don’t expect to earn more than minimum wage.

Doctors are paid what they earn because they have the necessary skills to do a job only a few can do. You can find a good job with the necessary skills – find out what is in demand and get the training required, contact those in those jobs or meet with people who know what skills are needed – now and in the future. College degrees in philosophy or medieval studies usually don’t turn into great jobs unless you can teach the subject with a master’s degree, at the minimum.

It is up to the person in the mirror – YOU – to get motivated to find the job you desire.