So there is quite some movement lately
going on in the U.S. in regards to raising the minimum wage to a
'living wage'. Thousands of low-paid fast food and retail workers
have been walking out of their jobs calling for an increase to the
minimum wage.
In this video from RT "Fast Food Fight: Thousands of low-paid workers take to US streets", a sign is held up
which reads: “Worker's Rights are Human Rights” - and that's a
very good point. Because the right to a decent living should be a
guarantee for all human beings. It's basic human rights to have your
needs met. It is not something that is just about or for 'workers'
but for all human beings.
It really doesn't make sense to work
away most of your life and yet not even make enough to have a decent
living, or to have time to enjoy it.
On top of that, in this day and age
with the technology we have, it doesn't require as much labor as
we're putting in, to cover everyone's needs. Because, have a look,
most of the labor we do, most of the jobs that are existing, aren't
even related to needs. A vast majority of jobs are service jobs,
which is essentially getting someone else to do something for you.
Like cook a meal, or clean your house, or help you pick out a new
outfit.
Here is a chart from the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics showing annual labor force statistics around the
world from 1970-2012, where you can see that the service
industry ( the dark pink) has always been the largest type of employment and has been
steadily increasing, compared to industry (light blue) and agriculture (dark blue).
With the technology we have, much of
human labor that is done in manufacturing isn't necessary to be done
by human labor, it just is because it's cheaper for companies than
investing in expensive machinery, and people are desperate to be
employed to make what money they can to try to survive and eke out an
existence.
I suggest to watch the documentary
“Will Work for Free” as it shows quite clearly the potential of
what we're facing in terms of technology replacing human labor, which
shouldn't actually be a problem, but should be something we utilize
to make life easier and more enjoyable for all of us here. But we've
got to first sort out the point of support for all beings regardless
of whether you're employed or how much you're employed. There needs
to be a minimum level of support that is equal to a decent living
otherwise we have problems, such as massive poverty and suffering,
like we already have because of this very point. You need a job to
survive, and there simply aren't enough for everyone, nor do the vast
majority of the jobs that do exist, pay enough to actually live
effectively.
The Living Income Guaranteed is the
solution to this, as it provides that basic support for all
individuals no matter what, and calls for a minimum wage for those
who work that is double the amount of the basic Living Income. So
that no matter what situation you are in, employed, unemployed or
underemployed, you would have support for all your basic needs. And
if you work, you would receive at least double that, so that you can
afford some luxury in your life, as proper compensation for your time
and labor. Because it does not make mathematical sense to be working
day in and day out, and still be living in poverty, while your labor
provides massive profits going somewhere else.
We need this kind of solution and
sooner than later, because this is becoming a bigger and bigger issue
that is going to more and more pressure on individuals and businesses, which can be avoided by working out this solution for support together and make as smooth transition as possible, into a
country where life is actually valued and not taken advantage of for
the sake of profits. Change isn't going to come by putting pressure on businesses, since they go by what the laws dictate, and that's why we have to take political action, not rebellious action, if we want to see real results. Let your politicians know that you support a
Living Income.
