Wir sind bettler. Hoc est verum.

Ok before you all stone me please hear me out, I think there is a good argument for government intervention into businesses. Now I would do argue that in a perfect world, the government should stay out of business except for a few broad rules and standards. However, like I have argued before, people are evil by nature and will take advantage of others if allowed to.

Now many people argue that no one should complain about wages that companies pay, they argue, “well the employees are agreeing to work for those wages, so whats the problem?” I say, “plenty of things”. What this statement by many people assumes is that the workers are educated, emotionally stable, and know the market.

I would argue that many workers are uneducated as to how business works and how the market works so they have no idea what they are really worth, or what they could ask for, so the company low balls them and they accept without knowing any better. Many employees also have very low self esteem and believe they are worth less than they really are, so they settle for less. Others are afraid of not working and have no idea what other jobs are available out there and take the first job to offer them a low ball wage. Others just plain don’t care like many foreigners, or retired people, they are just happy to work, and to the foreigner or elderly $2 an hour looks pretty good, since hey back in their day or country that was a great wage.

Because many employees are unfit to really know how to sell themselves, or ask for a fair wage, or just plain don’t care, companies will try to pay as low as wage as possible, without any concern for what minimum wage for that area needs to be. Because of this phenomenon most people in this country cannot afford to support a family on one salary.

Now one will still argue that the responsiblity lies on the individual, and I would agree, however I do not think it is that simple. Do we not have a responsibilty as educated, powerful people to protect the weaker more frail people? Should we not be considerate of their welfare too? Is this concept great enought that the Government should support it by force if necessary?

I would say, yes. What do you think?