Kansas Crimson

Since I don’t understand technical economic shit as much as some of you guys, please tell me:

Which has grown faster at your fave example, McDonald’s:

Divends, or wages?

what's a divend?

Ous thinks everyone should be able to afford everything. More Means = More consumption if that is the case. Which... is the thing he is against. So what is it.

Ous also thinks the fryboy has a more stressful and difficult job than the CEO. So, i dunno that we can really take this conversation anywhere.

TDub wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 12:46 pm Ous thinks everyone should be able to afford everything.

No he doesn’t and he’s never argued for that.

Yeah, I don’t, and I haven’t.

No need to retort with hyperbolic extremes.

I will say this Ousdahl.

The biggest argument against raising the minimum wage seems to be that costs will increase ($10 burger and all that). Well, the cost of a fast food meal has basically doubled in the time since the last raise...obviously wages aren't the ONLY cost, but it calls the original statement into question somewhat.

AND...when the talk of raising the minimum wage came up (this iteration) McD's came out with a statement that a $15 minimum wage wouldn't force them to increase prices in most markets...which raises another important question, if you can raise pay...why aren't you?

Good question!

ousdahl wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 12:48 pm Yeah, I don’t, and I haven’t.

No need to retort with hyperbolic extremes.

Youre the king of extremes and generalizations.



If only the rich can afford a phone, you will be mad

If only the rich can afford a steak, you will be mad

If only the rich can afford a vacation, you will be mad



So that is the everyone affording everything direction.

Actually, no, that’s you just being hyperbolic and trying to put words in my mouth.

The “king of extremes and generalizations” is kind of an oxymoron though, isn’t it?

I suppose I do have concern though that “only the rich can afford” more and more - whether it’s a steak, a home, whatever.

And a vacation lol. You think that fry cook can just work remotely from his second home in the mountains for a couple weeks lkke the CEO?

ousdahl wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 12:27 pm Thanks bro.

I too intend to be humble. I don’t try to posit myself as some economic expert. But please don’t use my lack of technical understanding as reason to discount every concept I try to suggest.

I’m just talking golden rule shit here. Sharing the toys at preschool shit. I’m an advocate for equality. I don’t think anyone needs a phd to understand that. The truth is, capitalism goes against so much of our preschool sharing is caring sort of ideals, and instead normalizes greed.

And on a practical level, I simply don’t think humanity will sustain itself with our current economic model and mindset. That’s not gonna end well! What are we gonna do, just use up all the resources on earth and bank on colonizing Mars?

We need to prioritize conservation over consumption, and community welfare over individual wealth.

Now do me a solid and pass that bong back this way.

You haven't had a lot of experience with people from non-capitalist countries, have you.

Capitalism enhances the need to treat others fairly, with respect, without price gauging, and to deal honestly. If you don't, someone else will and they'll steal your customers ( and of course you need checks and balances like antitrust laws, sure). You also need to exhibit those qualities to have people want to work with you, so it's a way to help not be a minimum wage worker forever. That's one of the main features of capitalism, the culture that it breeds.

Contrast that with people who lived in the Soviet Union. They scheme, they're dishonest, they'll do whatever they can outside the rules to get a leg up, because you couldn't get a leg up through hard work and character. That's the culture communism breeds, because people are always going to compete to be better off than the other guy.

The question is whether you accept that and build a system around it, or do you fight against it.

It sounds like many of the problems with Soviet capitalism are also problems in American capitalism. You don’t think anyone in this country is scheming or dishonest?

And if capitalism is so far, then how come wages have barely grown since *checks notes* the Soviet Union was still a thing?

ousdahl wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 1:00 pm It sounds like many of the problems with Soviet capitalism are also problems in American capitalism. You don’t think anyone in this country is scheming or dishonest?

Not sure what Soviet Capitalism is...but your second statement is like saying being 35 lbs overweight is the same as being 500 lb overweight.

It’s communism.

Just like divends.

I could go for some burnt divends. with some divend eggs.

ousdahl wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 12:48 pm
No need to retort with hyperbolic extremes.

You do this multiple times a day.

ousdahl wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 1:00 pm It sounds like many of the problems with Soviet capitalism are also problems in American capitalism. You don’t think anyone in this country is scheming or dishonest?

And if capitalism is so far, then how come wages have barely grown since *checks notes* the Soviet Union was still a thing?

Source? Median wages have been growing faster than inflation and faster than average wages for quite a few years now. I posted the official numbers on that a month or two ago.

And to say I don't think "anyone" here is dishonest is a complete twisting of my words. "Culture" doesn't mean "everyone", not at all. But overall yes, Americans deal far more ethically than Russians. And I think that Capitalism vs Communism is the main cause of that cultural difference.

Both sides do it!

TDub wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 12:47 pm Ous also thinks the fryboy has a more stressful and difficult job than the CEO. So, i dunno that we can really take this conversation anywhere.

I long for the says when the most stressful part of my work day was figuring out how to wash the Bennigan's seasoned fry smell out of my clothes.

Mjl wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 1:15 pm

ousdahl wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 1:00 pm It sounds like many of the problems with Soviet capitalism are also problems in American capitalism. You don’t think anyone in this country is scheming or dishonest?

And if capitalism is so far, then how come wages have barely grown since *checks notes* the Soviet Union was still a thing?

Source? Median wages have been growing faster than inflation and faster than average wages for quite a few years now. I posted the official numbers on that a month or two ago.

And to say I don't think "anyone" here is dishonest is a complete twisting of my words. "Culture" doesn't mean "everyone", not at all. But overall yes, Americans deal far more ethically than Russians. And I think that Capitalism vs Communism is the main cause of that cultural difference.

I agree with this based on the Russians I've dealt with.

I'd add that it's similar for the Chinese. Especially regarding things like intellectual property and plagiarism and things. It's definitely cultural. Some of my Chinese friends have explained plagiarism/stealing issues to me that it's just how things are done. They aren't trying to "get away with it" or "sneakily do something nefarious" they just don't have the same regard for someone else's work/idea/property being theirs. If I copy your shit, it's not a way to avoid paying you credit or a royalty, it's just how things are done.