Now we are supposed to believe that all those on low incomes are smokers, gamblers and expect us all to pay for their plasmas.

Maybe they all beat their wives too.

It never ceases to amaze me how someone's income can immediately be used to make generalisations about morality and decency.

Are you psychic rehctub, where are the low income earners that are asking for us to pay for their plasmas? Asking for a measley increase in the minimum wage is not a plasma aspiration.

This is more likely to be the aspirations of politicians who recently enjoyed a >$3,000 increase in pay despite telling the rest of Australia to tighten their belts.

Why is it always the lower incomes that are supposed to bear the brunt of any enconomic crisis? We are asking the least able to do the most while large corporates are expected to maintain obscene profits and pay overindulgent CEO salaries.

Where is the outrage?

I think Belly is right, it is like talking to a brick wall.

Well I have a confession to make. After reading my own posts I can see how some of you think I am unfair in my treatment of low paid workers, as some of my views can be taken either way. For this, I am sorry as I meant no harm.

I have never been one to consider myself better than anyone else and at no time do I label all low paid workers as drunks, gamblers or layabouts.

Now in having said this, in my view there are two ways to make a good income.

1. Be well skilled and get paid well for your skills. e.g. $90K + p/a

2. Earn a lower rate of pay and work longer hours.

Unfortunately, a recent inclusion has been to have several kids as the support on offer is huge, so much so that many are better off not working when in that situation, it's just a shame the way this support is handled as often it's the kids that miss out.

Now there are stats that link excessive gambling, drinking etc to low incomes and that's a fact.

So in essence, if I offended anyone, please accept my applogy as it was never my intention to do so.

rechtub

<< 1. Be well skilled and get paid well for your skills. e.g. $90K + p/a

2. Earn a lower rate of pay and work longer hours. >>

Do you have any other brilliant solutions to the human condition? Can't wait to see how you'd achieve world peace.

rehctub: << 1. Be well skilled and get paid well for your skills. e.g. $90K + p/a >>

Gee, I know several butchers and lots of meatworkers. They're all well skilled and none of them earns anything like $90K - in fact, the meatworkers tend to earn far closer to the minimum wage.

What do you pay your workers, rehctub?

Can't wait to see how you'd achieve world peace.

Are you kidding. One would have to beleive in fairy tails if you think world peace is achievable!

My workers don't work long hours, about 50 hr per week, take home $900 and butchers and meatworkers are not regarded as 'highly skilled' I am sorry to say. They have to work longer hours for the big bucks. I am assuming we are one of the lowest paid trades.

As col said; in fact, the meatworkers tend to earn far closer to the minimum wage.

However, it is common within my industry for workers to take home about $1000 per week for 5 days and managers, good ones, up to $2,000 per week. Very long hours for the top jobs though, often in excess of 85 hours per week.

As I said earlier, many butchers earn more than lawyers and boy don't they hate that.

On the subject of meatworkers, well quite simply they have 'cooker their own goose' in many cases.

Due to union interferences in years gone by, many of them work harder today, for less than they received many years ago. But, they just kept on pushing hey!

Now this does prove one point. Low paid workers can earn 'real money' but they have to commit to long hours in most cases.

Rechtub

Clearly irony is lost on you.

Therefore I will try to keep it simple.

If low income workers have to work excessive hours, by 'excessive' I mean beyond 45 hours per week, when do they get time to spend with their families, exercise, socialise with friends or even keep up with domestic chores? In fact, have any kind of life? This type of existence is the 21st century version of slavery.

As for earning above $90K because you have a degree - I wish - I certainly don't earn this kind of money. Also not everyone is in a position to devote the time, or have the money to study full-time - many are working long hours in low-paid work or busy caring for families.

In other words, rechtub, your "solutions" are a fantasy, the result of simplistic thinking and are, I suspect, a way of excusing yourself from offering fair reparation and conditions for your own employees.