How much is a burger-flipper worth?

John Williamson of Plano is outraged. He recently saw a sign at a fast food restaurant advertising for help. Wages ranged up to $10 an hour for team leaders (whatever that is) and up to $8 an hour for cashiers and cooks. 

John says he can't believe that the restaurant is actually bragging about these "insanely low wages." Well, John, just how much do you think a burger-flipper is worth?  How much do you think we should pay the kid who hands you your order at the drive-thru? How much more are you willing to pay for a burger and fries so they can increase those "insanely low wages"?

John falls into that group of people who can't think beyond the noses on their faces. You see, John, people have to start somewhere. Most of the people who work at McDonald's or Burger King are high school or college students. They don't plan on making Wendy's a career. I'd say the pay-rates advertised are pretty good for someone with no experience and an incomplete education. John says these are "unlivable wages." I'm not so sure about that, either. If a  person worked full-time at the $10 rate, he'd make $20,800. The poverty guideline for a single person is less than $12,000. Would the person have to live frugally. He certainly would, but he could live on it. Even if he made $8 an hour, he'd earn $16,640 -- well above the poverty guideline.

Are those wages insane for college graduates and/or people who have years of experience? You bet -- but barring another four years of Obama, those people aren't going to be applying for those jobs anyway.

"A Labor Day bad joke." The Dallas Morning News; September 3, 2012; p. 181A.