I think one of the major things that needs changed when it comes to Labor discussions is framing. Not in how it's presented but in the vocabulary. Words make a difference when people look at things.
For instance.
Minimum wage.
"Oh, we only pay them minimum wage because that's what they're worth."
"I only make minimum wage because this job doesn't matter."
Then you have people say a Living wage. Which isn't as bad but still doesn't hit the mark.
"I pay them a living wage because that's all I can afford."
"I make a living but I could always do better."
Compared to how I look at it.
A sustainable wage.
"I pay them a sustainable wage, because that's what they're worth."
"I make a sustainable wage. Sometimes things are tight, but I always have what I need."
Framing.
In the perception.
In the respect.
In the mindset.
What does a sustainable wage look like?
Well.
Under current market conditions.
Using my handy dandy little equation.
Food Costs, housing costs, medical costs that was roughly $135k/yr 8 years ago. Pre pandemic.
But in a 45 economy?
One shaped by legislative and legal skullduggery established 12 years ago by with holding key appointments 16 years ago.
To our current situation.
Where food costs have risen by nearly 200% across the board because of bad trade deals.
Housing costs have, on average, risen by 50% because building new has become largely un needed, while neglected renovations and repairs have been redlined at a financial level and socially shamed for anyone wanting or needing them.
Medical costs so exclusionary that you need a dual income house hold just to afford basic check ups.
So.
In a Trump America what does a Sustainable Wage look like?
Almost $300k a year.
A Quarter of a million dollars annually to be able to support a family of 4.5
"What's .5?"
"Dog, Cat, Ferret, horse...I dunno, you tell me.
Personally, if I looked at how I prioritize my spending I would have a family of 2.
Myself plus two .5 critters.
And because of their environmental impact I think cars should count as 1.
Particularly in house holds where a vehicle is necessary to employment.
Counting like this would count the population of People, Critters, and Things.
So for myself I would need a 3 person income if I wanted to keep a personal vehicle.
If I adopted or fostered, a 4.
So, standard 4.5 being $300k means I, in my current financial needs, should have a net annual income of $200k/yr.
Roughly $67k per dependent.
V.S. 20 years ago when $67k could reasonably support a family of 4.5
I hate to say it but...
"I told you."
~~~
Conservatives
"I don't understand why they don't pull themselves up by the boot straps."
Liberals
"Come on guys! You can do it! I'll help you find boot straps!"
Me.
"You do realize that phrase means doing the impossible because you can not, in fact, lift yourself by your boot straps. I could point you to some remedial pre-school level physics lessons if you lack the necessary understanding of Newtonian Physics....
Um...
Apple?"
Conservetives
"They need to stop complaining and work harder."
Liberals
"If you work harder we can change things."
Me.
"I'm going to make sure your basic needs are met before asking you to work.
I will only ask you to work harder in an emergency."
Conservatives
"They need to stop being a drain on the system."
Liberals
"We'll stop the drain on the system"
Me.
"I'm going to unclog the drain and make sure the faucet works."
Conservatives
"Their cup is too full!"
Liberals
"Our cup does not have enough!"
Me
"Here's a cup, I'll be back in a bit, let me know if you need a refill"
~~~~
"Jack, you're being accused of trying to use tribal sovereignty as a political stunt."
"I'm asking tribal sovereignty to use me as a 3rd party candidate."
"White savior complex?"
"Ah man..."
"Only person smart enough for the job?"
"I could point at a hundred other people that would be better at it than me."
"Then why you?"
"Because I don't want to ask anyone else to put their neck out that far."
"So you're wanting a PAC supported by tribal sovereignty to support your run for the white house."
"I'm pretty good on food, water, and medicine for now, and though not in an ideal living situation it's stable enough for the moment. So, no I don't need any sort of doners or funding currently. Though I wouldn't mind being able to settle this issue with the banks now instead of later."
"Then why do all of it, especially without getting any tribes approval?"
"I went to the museum. I read the treaties. I know what was asked for, but more importantly, I know what was given. I'm just arguing for their seat at the table and doing what I can to help them secure it."
"What's in it for you?"
"To quote a Space Captain ; 'I do a job, I get paid, I go home.'"
"And what do you expect to get paid for such a job?"
"Uh same as any government contract I've worked on. $10 million."
"Awful lot for one person."
"Oh, that's because I've been working this case pro bono for almost 30 years now and I have some people I owe for their help."
"Oh, so paying bribes."
"Na. Back rent, educational and medical bills, finding my home, and paying some artists for work they've already done out of kindness."
"So you're expecting the tribes to foot the bill for you?"
"Yeesh. Absolutely not. I don't get paid unless I get the job. Isn't that how capitalism works?"
"Mmmhmm, what are you really after Jack?"
"Amazon."
"The Amazon?"
"My background is in logistics. If I got majority shares I'd restructure to my standards, establish it as a market place and delivery system, not a seller. License with the Post Office for medication deliveries and partner with hospitals, fire stations, and EMT services to make sure they stay stocked and outfitted."
"Just Amazon huh? That's all you want?"
"Oh, and I'll take a side of Paramount, Warner Brothers, and Discover. Maybe HBO if it's still on the table."
"Uh...Amazon Studios?"
"Publishing. I'll find industry people to run the other companies as independent studios. My only ask for Amazon on those contracts is permission to ad their productions to the streaming library and/or to offer their parent streaming service for a discounted cost in the Amazon marketplace."
"So you're going to buy production studios to give them away?"
"Kind of?"
"What do you mean kind of?"
"I want to use the studios to create a standard for licensing and residuals on streaming platforms. By purchasing the studios and then negotiating their sell through production contracts with the various entertainment guilds so that they can create legal precedent to protect their IP and digital identities. If the studios won't agree to terms with the guilds then I'll provide the guilds with studios to demonstrate their model and wish them luck on their endeavors."
"Digital Identities?"
"You know. Scanned likenesses, digital reproductions, vocal performances, catalogue integrity."
"Where'd you get that idea from?"
"Sony. Watching how they've worked with their in house developers. They let artists art and have had consistently good games that push the boundaries of story telling and technical capabilities that surpasses most of their competitors."
"Sounding like a corporate shill there bud."
"Game recognize game. Besides, you can't enter a market without doing your due diligence on potential competitors."
"So, you're entering the gaming space."
"No, nothing like that. I mean, It'd be cool to make a game sure and I've got ideas certainly. Sony is a hardware company and if I'm going to build a transforming space ship I'm going to to need hardware."
"Transforming space ship..."
"Oh yeah...So my plans for a U.N. Space agency proposal and what NASA projects I'd like to throw DoD levels of funding at."
"You want to give NASA to the DoD?"
"What!?!? NO! I want to give NASA DoD level funding."
"You're insane."
"No. Delusional."
"There's a difference?"
"One suggests I believe in something that can't be done.
While delusional means I think I can do something no one else thinks can be done."
"Crazy."
"Magic"
~~~
The great negotiator my ass.
Art of the bankruptcy more like.
~~
"What's next on your list Jack?"
"Labor rights for the oldest profession in history?"
" 0.0 "
"You're joking..."
"Deadly serious"
"That's not going to sell."
"Who says I was selling anything?"
"No way in Hell."
"Not looking for a way in Hell, I'm looking for a way on Earth."
"Isn't going to work."
"Jesus once said...."
"Oh fuck off."
"Not until we get the labor rights."
"Under who's banner."
"SAG"
"Fuck you."
"Hey man. To some people that female orgasm is just a myth. So, counts as story telling in my book."
"Somebody shut him the hell up before he says something else stupid."
~~~
"So what are your re-election plans."
"I'm looking to do my 4 years and get out. I don't have plans for re-election."
"But polls say you have the support to pull off another win."
"That'd have to be at least a 75% to 85% in the polls to have me even consider it."
"So you are running for a second term."
"No, I'm doing my job. If I end up getting extended to the full 8 I'll do it, but I won't be happy about it."
"What? Why?"
"Because I have everything I need, did the best I could, and all I want to do is wander the world knowing people are safe."
~~~~
"If you just want left alone why put your neck on the block like that?"
"Because people weren't safe."
