Interview with Nick Hanauer

[ksen]

http://gawker.com/shits-gonna-hit-the-fan-talking-to-a-billionaire-abo-1711464448

There is no earthly reason why Walmart and McDonald’s and Walgreens and these other giant, profitable institutions should have one worker in need of public assistance. It’s ridiculous. And it’s not just getting them out from under the need for public assistance; it’s like, that’s what drives the economy! The person earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 isn’t going out to eat at restaurants. They’re not taking piano lessons. They’re not going to the gym or the yoga studio. They’re not sending mom flowers on Mother’s day. What good is this person in the economy? If you raise it to $15 an hour, they’re doing all of those things. And all of a sudden, not just business thrives, but small business thrives.

Personally, if I ran a business and had employees that had to use public assistance I'd be embarassed as hell.

 

[Axulus]

http://gawker.com/shits-gonna-hit-the-fan-talking-to-a-billionaire-abo-1711464448

There is no earthly reason why Walmart and McDonald’s and Walgreens and these other giant, profitable institutions should have one worker in need of public assistance. It’s ridiculous. And it’s not just getting them out from under the need for public assistance; it’s like, that’s what drives the economy! The person earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 isn’t going out to eat at restaurants. They’re not taking piano lessons. They’re not going to the gym or the yoga studio. They’re not sending mom flowers on Mother’s day. What good is this person in the economy? If you raise it to $15 an hour, they’re doing all of those things. And all of a sudden, not just business thrives, but small business thrives.

Personally, if I ran a business and had employees that had to use public assistance I'd be embarassed as hell.

Workers earning $15/hr with a kid qualify for EITC. Would you be embarrassed as hell to pay a worker $15/hr? In fact, earning up to around $20/hr still qualifies.

Instead of yapping his mouth, why doesn't this rich billionaire buy out a large retail chain or fast food chain and hire as many $15/hr workers as he can and actually do what he thinks should be done?

 

[ksen]

I see the "not embarassed to have employees needing welfare to survive" crowd is checking in.

 

[Axulus]

I see the "not embarassed to have employees needing welfare to survive" crowd is checking in.

You should be far more embarrassed to not hire anyone at all. I'm sure the $0 wages you are paying is doing wonders to benefit those on public assistance.

 

[ksen]

good post!

 

[dismal]

good post!

You gotta give some credit to anyone who stayed past this:

Personally, if I ran a business

 

[KeepTalking]

http://gawker.com/shits-gonna-hit-the-fan-talking-to-a-billionaire-abo-1711464448



Personally, if I ran a business and had employees that had to use public assistance I'd be embarassed as hell.

Workers earning $15/hr with a kid qualify for EITC.

That's nice, but EITC is not considered public assistance.

 

[Axulus]

Workers earning $15/hr with a kid qualify for EITC.

That's nice, but EITC is not considered public assistance.

According to who? It is funded by the public, and it is assistance for lower income individuals and families. Sounds like public assistance to me.

 

[KeepTalking]

That's nice, but EITC is not considered public assistance.

According to who? It is funded by the public, and it is assistance for lower income individuals and families. Sounds like public assistance to me.

EITC = Earned Income Tax Credit.

Since when are tax credits considered public assistance?

 

[Axulus]

According to who? It is funded by the public, and it is assistance for lower income individuals and families. Sounds like public assistance to me.

EITC = Earned Income Tax Credit.

Since when are tax credits considered public assistance?

Public assistance
noun
1.
(US) payment given to individuals by government agencies on the basis of need

So let's see if the EITC qualifies:

It is a payment (cash check) given to individuals by a government agency (IRS) on the basis of need (the qualifications are income level and number of dependent children).

 

[jonatha]

According to who? It is funded by the public, and it is assistance for lower income individuals and families. Sounds like public assistance to me.

EITC = Earned Income Tax Credit.

Since when are tax credits considered public assistance?

When they're refundable?

 

[ksen]

According to who? It is funded by the public, and it is assistance for lower income individuals and families. Sounds like public assistance to me.

EITC = Earned Income Tax Credit.

Since when are tax credits considered public assistance?

You reminded of my old thread: "Biggest moochers of tax expenditures are"!

 

[KeepTalking]

EITC = Earned Income Tax Credit.

Since when are tax credits considered public assistance?

Public assistance
noun
1.
(US) payment given to individuals by government agencies on the basis of need

So let's see if the EITC qualifies:

It is a payment (cash check) given to individuals by a government agency (IRS) on the basis of need (the qualifications are income level and number of dependent children).

Well, since we have a disagreement, why don't we check with an unbiased source that collects data on this sort of thing. How about the Census Bureau:
Public Assistance Receipt:
2000 to 2012

I looked through the above document, and found no mention of the EITC, but maybe you can help me out by pointing out on which page it can be found.