A living wage

Oh how the debate goes on. I hear it all the time, on Facebook and everywhere else. We need to raise minimum wage. I love it the most when people get up in my face and say, "Could YOU live on minimum wage?". Here's the truth. I practically do.

The fast food industry has banned together to fight for higher wages. Now I know my opinion is not popular but here goes. Minimum wage has to be there. If you raise the minimum wage, the cost for fast food, Wal-Mart trinkets and everything else will rise. The companies have to keep their profit margin, so if they spend more, the need to make more. It is a very simple concept. Within a few years, the $15.00/hour they want will not be enough because the prices have raise, therefore, minimum wage will need to raise again.

Entry level jobs like fast food and cashiers are not meant to live on forever. They are for one's "entry" into the workforce. Then, as one is educated and trained to do more, they move into other jobs that earn more. It is a simple structure that has unfortunately broken down somewhere along the way.

But to get to the heart of the matter, as far as I know, one does not need any technical training, college degrees or certifications to work at a fast food joint. I have a two year degree to be a paramedic and you want to know what my hourly wage is? $9.87. Now when I max out step wise I will be at a whopping $13.24/hour. You know what else? Paramedics do  not work a forty hour week. In one month I work 264 hours. Divided by four and that is a 66 hour work week. I work two to three 24 hour shifts a week. I am gone from my family on holidays, all night long and often miss meals, for less than what the burger flippers want.

And where I live is not alone. Jems (Journal of Emergency Medical Services) put out a salary guide to EMS in America. Most do not meet the cost of living one a child is involved. See article here.

So when people who have not tried to better themselves or their conditions want to make more than I do, when I worked my but off to get here, it kinda bugs me.
There are so many certificate programs out there and technical schools. Those job industries need people and are willing to take payment options.

Paramedics do this job because they are driven to do it. Even when they are burned out and pissed off, they know in the end they love to help. And for that reason alone we put up with the pay. But If I was flipping burgers and unable to feed my family, I would look for a way to improve myself!