Originally Posted by kane

Here is an abstract thought. McDonald's (and other low paying jobs) are actually punishing the rich by paying a low wage.

Here is the idea:

If a person works at one of these jobs and doesn't make enough money to put them above the poverty level they can qualify for various welfare programs. Companies like McDonald's and Walmart actually have info in their employee handbooks and they have people employed by them that help their workers to sign up for various government aid programs. They actually encourage them to do so.

These government aid programs are expensive and cost tax dollars.Who pays most of the taxes in this country? The wealthy. So, in a way by paying a smaller wage these companies are helping to drive people to social programs that cost the government billions (if not trillions) which in turn leads them to then tax the rich in order to pay for it.

If they paid a little more (I'm not talking about $20 per hour, but enough to push people above the poverty like to a place where they no longer qualify for government aid) it may lower their profits slightly, but it could help to lift millions off of various welfare programs and could lead to lowered government spending and less taxes.

Just a thought.