Editor:
It used to be that when you were hired to do a job you considered it a blessing. You had a job that paid a decent wage and you were able to work your way up the ladder so you could reap the benefits of working hard.
Now, when a business hires you, they are expected to pay you not only a decent wage, but also: paid sick leave; paid vacations; paid retirement accounts; paid child care; short-term disabilities and FMLA, which is 12 unpaid weeks for birth of a baby or adoption; and health care, which includes abortion, birth control pills, Viagra and gender reassignment.
Employers pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, matching employees’ contributions. They also pay federal and state unemployment taxes, and workman’s comp insurance. In some states they also have to pay disability coverage.
No matter what your wage is it cost the employer double just to hire you.
It is no wonder a decent steak costs me from $10.99 to $15 per pound. Hamburger with 20 percent fat is $3.99 a pound. 10 percent is $5.50.
Apricots are $5.99 a pound.
Coffee beans are $10 a pound.
Real vanilla is $2 an ounce.
A decent hamburger anywhere but a fast food place is $10.
I don’t think I can afford to pay a burger flipper $30 an hour.
And yes, I, as the consumer, will be paying for it.
Jeani West
Sweet Home