I have started 3 successful small business so far in my life. A million dollars is so LOL I don't even know where to begin. Anybody who can't figure out "all of the red tape and federal hoops one must jump through" isn't going to last very long anyway as a small business owner. It's not that hard to comply with the law. You have no idea what you're talking about.

I am also licensed to practice my profession, and again you have no idea what you're talking about. I can assure you from first hand experience that unlicensed workers can be a terrifying thing. Licensure is a huge net benefit to society in pretty much every field where it is required.

Great, we agree that the drug war is a disaster. But absolutely none of what you wrote addresses how we go about helping people who do not have money for the necessities of life.

I agree with zikzak, it doesn't take a million $ to start a biz unless of course you are talking about a franchise. It cost me only the price to incorporate and the state fee to start mine. It was pre computer drafting. Now it would take $60k to start just to purchase a computer and the necessary software to compete with others, the sprinkler software alone costs $20k, the 60k might be a little on the high side.

Are you talking about trade-specific software? Because an Autocad license only costs a couple grand (even less for some versions), and you don't even need to pay that if you use one of the many capable open source CAD packages.

If you as an employer were capable of passing on under-qualified hires, then why was it necessary for the state to intervene? You had the situation under control.

They're horrific at policing anything, as the completely incompetent police forces demonstrate to us on the news on a daily basis with every unarmed black guy that gets gunned down. Why would they be any more competent at ensuring that professionals don't lack qualification to do professional work? Why would they be any more effective at ensuring that new drugs are safe and effective? Or that restaurants keep basic health standards? Or that bars don't over-serve alcohol?

There's nothing to stop watchdog organizations from emerging in the private sector, providing that consumers value what they offer. And again, businesses will always be financially liable for the people they hurt, with or without the government's watchful eye.

You need the full version of AutoCad, Navis, Revit and sprinkler specific software. Allot depends on the size and scope of work you are looking to do.

Sorry Renton, you aren't qualified to offer an opinion on small business ownership or professional licensure. You don't know what you're talking about. You're parroting third-hand ideology that has nothing to do with the real world.

Nobody has ever managed to convince me that BIM is actually useful in the real world for 99.99% of its intended applications, but I'll defer to your trade expertise here. $60k still seems a bit on the high side, though.

Buy a McDonalds franchise. Pay your employees $15/hr. How long would you be able to stay in business?

Considering the ROI for a McDonalds franchise, I'd guess quite a long time.

15$ an hour isn't going to bankrupt America.

Just raise Big Mac prices by 35 cents.

BIM, works only if all trades us it. If one draws in it, clears the space then just runs where ever they want in the field it's a waste of time.

The $60k also includes a high end computer with 2 30 inch monitors.

That productivity graph pretty much tells us the future isn't going to be a nice place for low skilled workers made obsolete by technology.

"The police shooting a black person is why we don't need the USDA"

.

A few communities are raising the MW to $15/hr. In 2 or 3 years we will all see if these communities will look like Russia with empty store fronts.
Lifetime rates make more sense. No incentive to not work. Only large corporations given monopolies will be burdened.

Well rent increases and cost of living increases go up every year.

15 years ago I was working summer jobs making 10$ an hr.

15 years ago the bus used to cost me a buck. Today it costs 3$. Minimum wage didn't go up 3 times.

America won't look like Russia. If walmart level crap isn't worth selling anymore good riddance.

Obviously you can't raise MW excessively, there has to be a balance.

The lowest I have ever been paid was as a 15 year old dishwasher. I made a little over $10/hr in 2015 dollars, adjusted for inflation.

High school student dishwashers made more money in the 80's than the current wage of a McDonald's shift manager.

I made £4 a day in ~1980.

Thanks to a very enlightened public transport policy (thanks Ken) my 1hr each way commute cost 20p

A day? Were you a serf?

Yes a day. I was a messenger boy for a firm of accountants. It seemed like a lot of money at the time but I had no expenses and was only ~15.

Damn. Thanks, Maggie.

Might be worth keeping an eye on Finland?

Can't blame Maggie I don't think, she was still too fresh. She did later destroy the subsidised fares which was a very bad move.

It's probably influence me into being a strong believer in providing public services cheap to everybody. So much more effective than trying to make sure disadvantaged people have enough money although the UBI idea is very appealing. (Not suggesting I was disadvantaged)

Let's just raise it to $100/hour then. Why not? Everyone can be rich.

<---- settles smugly into his easy chair knowing an undefensible internet burn has been delivered.

$100/HR LIKE CRANE TECHNIQUE - IF DONE PROPERLY - CANNOT DEFEND

Aren't they going to raise the wages once they find out nobody/not enough people want to work for that wage anymore ?