I would like a law

[lynxreign]

It is a simple law.

No employee of any company at any level can make more than 100 times the lowest paid employee of that company.

You're paying someone $20,000 a year, then you can make 2 million a year. Want a raise? You have to raise the salaries of the lowest paid employees.

Now, tell me why you don't like my law.

Comments

Nope, not criminal. They wouldn't go to jail, just pay fines making up the difference.

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

Okay, I am trying to understand the penalty here. Let's say we have our minimum wage/1.5 million dollar spread company. And the company decides to pay the CEO an extra $500,000 ($2,000,000/year) without paying the lower level people. What happens?

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

The payee is fined $500,000 and the company is fined an amount either tied to earnings or the employee's fine.

The payee is fined $500,000 and the company is fined an amount either tied to earnings or the employ

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

And yet this is capitalism unleashed......

Capitalism: An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development is proportionate to the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market.

Unleahed: turned loose or freed from restraint

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

As I said, Unleashed from distorions created by gaming the system. Like cleaning clogs from your fuel line will unleash the power of your car's engine.

I'd argue that my system better fits the definition of Capitalism you posted than what we have now. Besides, nowhere in your definition is compensation mentioned.

I'd argue that my system better fits the definition of Capitalism you posted than what we have now.

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

I am not saying the current situation is perfect, just that yours is definitely not capitalism unleashed. :)


Free Market: An economic market in which supply and demand are not regulated or are regulated with only minor restrictions.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Well, we've seen that the Free Market doesn't work then. So why keep it?

Well, we've seen that the Free Market doesn't work then. So why keep it?

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

So then you DON'T want capitalism.....

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

"Pure" capitalism? No. It doesn't work. Well regulated capitalism? Sure.

"Pure" capitalism? No. It doesn't work. Well regulated capitalism? Sure.

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

But restricting salaries isn't capitalism, it is closer to socialism. You can argue socialism is better, but don't try to make it sound like you are arguing for capitalism. :)

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Giving people the freedom to make 100 times a co-worker? That's capitalism. It has no relationship to socialism.

Would you say beer isn't alcohol? You don't want to drink 100% alcohol, it'll kill you. Capitalism is the same way, the proper amount of regulation makes it a delicious beer that can be good for you if consumed in moderation.

Giving people the freedom to make 100 times a co-worker?

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

Oh, now that made me laugh out loud, good job. :)

Correct me if I am wrong, but don't we have that freedom already? Saying we will have the "freedom" to make 100 times the salary of a co-worker is like saying a dog on a leash has the "freedom" to run freely, within the confines of the leash.

I would definitely say beer isn't alcohol, it is a beverage containing alcohol. And socialism does not "contain" capitalism, it is something different, and saying it is the same is like saying that the bottle of vinegar you now have is the same as the bottle of wine you started with. It just leaves a sour taste in a lot of people's mouths, though others enjoy the vinegar. It is a love it or hate it situation.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

I'm not saying this is socialism. If something isn't pure capitalism, it doesn't mean that it is socialist.

Correct me if I am wrong, but don't we have that freedom already?

We do, so why are you complaining? Though in reality, we don't have that freedom. While you technically have that freedom you'll never be able to take advantage of it. You have the same freedom to do that today as you do to take a 1 man sub into the Marianis Trench. What you're actually being granted here is the freedom to make a much larger % of the profits your labor generates for your company.

While you technically have that freedom you'll never be able to take advantage of it.

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

Just because a freedom is not used frequently or my many, does not make it okay to remove that freedom.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

You don't have the freedom to do a large number of societally damaging things, this'll just be added to the list.

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

I am sorry, but explain to me how making 100.01 times someone's salary is more damaging to society than making 100 times their salary?

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Why don't you explain to me first how making 10,000 times someone's salary is more damaging than 100. Here's a start: Bottling up a huge portion of the nations wealth in the hands of just .1% of the population has directly lead to the housing and stock market crashes. When the wealthy have that much money lying around, they look for something to do with it. They certainly don't spend it. So they make crazy bets. We have quite a few examples of this. Unfortunately, they manage to make it look like it is working for awhile and the people who have a lot to lose jump in as well and get crushed when it all comes tumbling down.

and the people who have a lot to lose jump in as well and get crushed when it all comes tumbling dow

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

So your goal is to protect people from themselves?

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Nope, my main goal is to protect society and the vast majority of citizens from individuals who see nothing wrong is harming them for their own short-term enrichment.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Oh, and let me know when you come up against that limit. We'll go out and celebrate. On you, of course.

Oh, and let me know when you come up against that limit. We'll go out and celebrate. On you, of cour

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

And if I go over the limit, we go out and celebrate, on you. :)

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Sure, I feel pretty comfortable with that. Of course, I'll have to mourn the repeal of the minimum wage law for that to happen.

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

You forget, there are certain businesses/employees not subject to the minimum wage. :)

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

That is if you continue to see it as a "freedom being taken away" instead of what it actually is, a chance for you to make more $.

That is if you continue to see it as a "freedom being taken away" instead of what it actually is, a

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

So a serious question for you. Do you honestly believe it isn't taking away a freedom, or is this just the room for an argument? Because if you honestly believe you aren't taking away a capitalistic freedom then we might as well argue other faith based subjects because your argument is rooted in your beliefs not facts. :)

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

I equate it to taking away the freedom to rob a bank or kill your neighbor. Or rather, for the likes of you and me, the freedom to have your savings stolen by a bank robber or to be killed by your neighbor.