Tags
compassion, courage, doing the right thing, economy, greed, History, human behaviour, humanity, integrity, mercy, minimum wage, oppression, poor, profit and loss, slavery, trickle-down effect
Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.
Looking back, most of us are relieved that slavery was abolished. How could anyone, with even an ounce of compassion, have thought it was a good idea?
But just imagine what slave owners thought and how they justified slavery during the civil war.
“What would it do to the economy if we have to pay people to work? I mean it’s not like we don’t house them or feed them or clothe them – wouldn’t they perish without us?”
Yet doing the right thing by abolishing slavery in America did not end life as we know it.
These days, there are those who work for so little pay they struggle to survive. Many are only one pay cheque away from losing everything.
“What would happen if we raised the minimum wage? I mean we need to make sure corporations make a profit so they can keep hiring. Eventually it trickles down, right?”
Will giving people living wages really collapse our economy and end life as we know it?
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
I wonder what future generations will think.
talktodiana 
It was quite confronting in America … the different social classes …. the beggars in the street … and discussions in the media with the elections coming up – arguments about paid sick leave, unemployment benefits, universal health care – and these are things Australia takes for granted and yet we enjoy a good standard of living. It is so unbelievable to me that people do not see that.
LikeLike
Yeah the US media around the elections is scary haha. Ahh well, another couple of weeks and then it will be the election.
As far as oppressing the poor, I know it happens in Canada too and probably in Australia too – I know in Canada there are jobs that do not pay living wages… ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been told that San Fran is the most in-your-face city for that sort of confrontation probably due to it being a tourist area (homeless and beggars on the streets etc). I know it happens in Australia but it is hidden away so that we do not feel bad about it and that is bad in itself (that we deny what we cannot see). Nevertheless, the minimum wage in Australia IS a lot higher than in America so there is a better safety net for people. Also I did not realise in US that there is no mandatory employer paid sick leave, you have to have been previously employed to be eligible for unemployment benefits (which then only last a year or two) and similarly their old age social security scheme is tied in with past contributions from when you worked. That may not be exactly correct and is just what filtered across to me while there but if correct these are markedly different from what we have in Australia. And even though I personally think the amount paid to those on benefits in Australia is pathetic, I do think it does make a difference to the feeling of security to know that if you get sick or fall on hard times (lose your job etc) that you will at least be able to feed and clothe yourself and have a roof over your head.
LikeLike
you can get unemployment benefits without having previously had a job? wow! Here someone could apply for welfare. We accrue sick days in Canada so if you get sick in the first week of your job, you probably wouldn’t be covered, i.e. collect pay from the employer…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It amazing the differences between countries. You have 12 months paid maternity leave. It is only 18 weeks in Australia and that has only been in about 2 or 3 years.
LikeLike
The land of opportunity? Only for some. I often wonder why the harder more physical jobs like a dairy farmer (my husband) works sixty hours a week for a very low pay. Im teaching my children they need to be educated to have a chance of earning more. But we made a choice to move to a rural area where jobs are scarce but quality of life is much better. People out here have to have two jobs each to be comfortable and pay off their houses. In the city the pay is better, opportunities for work even better but I did not want my children growing up in a big city. I guess education is the key but there will always those people struggling on the low paying income. We keep it simple and life is pretty good Diana but if we want to pay off a house I need to go back to work too. My time as home based mum and support to my kids (one special needs) is coming to an end. No longer can one wage in the family be enough. Sad but true.
I too often wonder how we humans through history could treat others so badly it has happened all over the world did we learn anything? I hope we did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry your time staying home with your kids is coming to an end Kath. I hope it all works out for your family. I love that you wanted your kids to grow up in the country. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had such a good life going up in the country and knew i wanted to give my children a similar experience. Im glad I have had the time to be there for them. They understand if we want to have our own house one day built on our block of land that Mum needs to go back to work and we all need to pitch in. Most families don’t get the opportunity or the luxury of one parent being at home. I guess my art would not have surfaced if I had went back to work earlier. Funny how things go Diana. Life is challenging dealing with my son’s issues and yet it lead me to my art.
LikeLike
LOVE your gratitude attitude Kath. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Diana, Folks do need a certain amount of pay to get by these days. But I’d prefer that the jobs available were steady good paying one’s that will provide advancement so rather that minimum pay it will become simply a starting salary. With an eye on a future rather than living day to day.
-Alan
LikeLike
That’s another option Alan, if there is advancement available but in a lot of jobs that doesn’t seem to be the case, i.e., servers, gas attendants, etc.; yet many support families and they all provide services for the rest of us. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know Diana, sadly true. We need growth or the well will run dry.
-Alan
LikeLike
At least in this type of economy Alan. There was a time when we only needed food in our stomachs, roof over our head and shelter from the elements…oh and each other.
Can’t get growth from finite resources… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder what future generations will think as well.
LikeLike
Hindsight is 20/20 April! ♡
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Check out the documentary, “13th,” on Netflix if you have access. Raw perspective on American history as it relates to the (mis-)treatment of African-Americans. Then and now.
LikeLike
I will see if I can access that as I do not have Netflix. Thanks Jim! ♡
Diana xo
LikeLike
So well said, and I so agree with you
LikeLike
Thank you my friend. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Indeed Diana, when we think we haven’t made progress, it helps to look back with hindsight.
LikeLike
That too Andrea – yes that too! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
True words. Sing loud and clear.
LikeLike
Thanks Lisa! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
I love you and your beautiful mind and heart Diana! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Louise – I love you too! A lot! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Good post. Solid stuff. I have not understood how anyone, esp people of faith who claim a higher standard, can begrudge anyone making at the very least, a living wage.
LikeLike
Thanks Abe, I think we are always scared about the economy, and always the poor are oppressed when fear rules… ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Love it. x
LikeLike
Thank you. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike