This past summer, fast food workers throughout the nation protested their wages, with some asking for minimum wages as high as $15/hour. In other words, workers are demanding “living wages.”
Ok. Before we discuss the politics and morality of fast food wages, consider this proposal.
Let’s pass a law that requires all restaurant owners, scratch that, let’s say all business owners, to:
1. pay themselves a “living wage”
2. provide themselves health insurance coverage.
3. pay themselves time and a half for overtime.
4. work no more than 60 hours per week
Think about such a law. Does it seem ridiculous? Where would the money come from to pay business owners who don’t make enough money to pay themselves a living wage?
Think about it. We’ll review some of your responses in Part II.