[woodpanel]

Let me try it: Saying that my labor isn't worth $11/hr surely doesn't sound nice to me. But the intentions of saying that to me are making a huge difference. If you're just being mean, begrudging, racist or otherwise inhumane - offense is duly taken. But there can be a compassionate intention too. Denying that this intention could exist, leaves me believing the world is against me instead of actively acquiring working skill.

Coming from the other side of $8/hr I can assure you that you'll had so much inhumanity coming at you, you will very likely recognize the true intentions.* Looking back, I cannot thank the moments of compassionate harshness enough and could almost get angry at those denying these moments exist. Instead I say to them: It's easy to wear those rose-colored glasses if you don't have to live with its repercussions.

* granted, this works well on a personal level, maybe not so well if it comes out as a political press release

[narag]

It seems that you misunderstood me, probably my fault. It's not a question of humanity. Treating labor just like any other good is terribly naive. How economy works is much more complex since good salaries feed the demand while a huge mass of poor people near the level of societal exclusion will cause unrest and problems for everybody. See Venezuela, not so long ago one of the richest countries of the subcontinent. It's in the best interest of middle classes to have a decent social net, specially considering you never know what the future holds for yourself.