Communist ideals in the UK - Minimum Wage
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by Stan Wephen
The United Kingdom is a shining example of capitalism in all its glory, from the rich millionaires in their villas to the non-stop cries of the London Stock exchange. Many people feel very safe and separate from socialist ideals. But in reality, just how opposed is the United Kingdom to communist ideals? In this series, I will be exploring the socialist concepts that the United Kingdom has been built on and maintains.
1) Minimum Wage. This powerful law came into action in April 1999, as promised by the Labour Party's manifesto. It requires that a set standard wage per hour across the country be set and no-one may be paid below that amount. Currently the minimum wage is £3.60 per hour for workers over 22.
So how is the Minimum Wage socialist? Firstly, it stops the constantly growing poor/rich divide. I find it hardly fair that many make millions everyday whilst others earn pennies, despite them working hard, and neither do many communists. Introduction of the minimum wage at least ensures that the poorest of the poor have some money.
Secondly it ensures that everyone has enough to survive. Indeed, one communist ideal is known as this 'to each according to his needs', as made famous by Karl Marx in his book "Critique of the Gotha Program". People finally have enough to buy food, live in a house and have clothing to wear. Approximately 1.5 million people in the UK have benefited from the minimum wage.
Thirdly it encourages people to work. A common misconception of communism is that it encourages laziness. To them I say "He who does not work, neither shall he eat". The idea of communism is not that everyone gets an equal wage no matter how little or how much they work. The idea is that everyone puts everything they can into the community and they take from it only what they need.
Most importantly, it allows "A fairer distribution of income across the population". Sounding familiar? The communist ideal is that people get what is fair. As long as minimum wage continues to operate on this principle, minimum wage will be supported by communists.
"Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort".
Stan Wephen
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Comments
very well put. Do you have any thoughts on how a minimum wage might be transated into e-UK
Well, if we were to put minimum wage into the E-UK, I think people should be paid a minimum according to their skills. For example, at skill level 1 1GDP per day. At skill level 2 2GDP per day. At skill level 3 4GDP per day etc. Otherwise I think many people will get exploited.
Minimum wage kills small companies and jobs.
Isn\'t a minimum wage scheme already in use by training companies?
Yeah training companies have a minimum wage scheme
nice talking mate!
\"Minimum wage kills small companies and jobs\".
That\'s what people used to believe. It\'s been proven today that minimum wage has had no adverse effects on the economy. Nobody has lost jobs, and small businesses are thriving in the UK.
Wont work. Nobody will keep to it, people could make even bigger profits off it, ect, ect
I\'m not aware of any companies paying less than 1GBP
Yeah, Kaleb is right of course and I seriously doubt minimum wage is considerable in the E-Uk, unless its controlled with strong leadership. Something to discuss no doubt 🙂
mr.brodie, there are ways and means of ensuring cooperation. Unless all GMs act together in a cartel (unlikely), there will always be means to bring about change.
\"That\'s what people used to believe. It\'s been proven today that minimum wage has had no adverse effects on the economy. Nobody has lost jobs, and small businesses are thriving in the UK.\"
the thing is minimum wages never get lowered. so while great in the good times because it means that everyone has a job that pays some money, in recessions companies cannot afford to pay everyone the minimum wage and have to fire people. if the wage could be lowered everyone could work and demand would remain at similar levels as everyone still needs the essentials. it is political suicide to lower the minimum wage.
however i believe that a minimum wage is essential, just thought i would point out the flaws.
@Kaleb i was working for a food company on .9 at one stage with 1.2 food skill. that was before tax. it went up to 1 the next day.
Tim; working for 0.9 is out of order, because break even living costs for a quality 1 worker > 0.9.
\"I find it hardly fair that many make millions everyday whilst others earn pennies\" -
why you find it unfair? one is smart enough to make business and have profit, while other is stupid to work hard and earn p\'s..
\"communist ideal is known as this \'to each according to his needs\',\" -
the needs grows, when grows possibilities... simple as that.. had you ever thought of it? if you are hungry, you don\'t sort out food to delicious and not... after you ate piece bread, you will start thinking of water, then of honey and so on... when you are full of food you start to think of new car, new house, new lover and so it continues... so it says nothing with \"according to his needs\"
\"everyone puts everything they can into the community and they take from it only what they need\" -
in that case there will be:
1 or 2 idiots \"who put what they can\"
1 or 2 honest guys \"who take ONLY what they need\"
all other \"smarties\" \"who takes as much as are able to care\"
Minimal wage was never implemented 100%... anywhere... there will always be illegal immigrants... and other social groups to be used as a \"cheap work power\" 😉
Very neat article, I\'ll be waiting for the next one.
Ah benskius, I missed you 😛. Where would we be without your helpful observations?
\"why you find it unfair? one is smart enough to make business and have profit, while other is stupid to work hard and earn p\'s..\"
I hope you don\'t actually believe this. Many people work very hard everyday, farming, , manual labour or creating essential goods, when other people edit some numbers on a internet on the Stock Market and make millions. You tell me, is that fair?
\"the needs grows, when grows possibilitie\"
Yes, I totally agree, but instead of that possibility only being shared by a few people, its shared by EVERYONE. Everyone goes from bread, to water, to honey, collectively. We don\'t want to have one person eating honey whilst others thrist to death.
\"1 or 2 idiots \"who put what they can\"
1 or 2 honest guys \"who take ONLY what they need\"
all other \"smarties\" \"who takes as much as are able to care\"\"
We have that today with benefits, disability benefit, childcare benefit. Are you suggesting we get rid of benefits because some people abuse them? Certainly not! Sure, people willl abuse the system - its up to the honest people to stop that.
\"Minimal wage was never implemented 100%... anywhere... there will always be illegal immigrants... and other social groups to be used as a \"cheap work power\" \"
That doesn\'t make it morally right, and we should do everything we can to stop this kind of exploitation.