Hello Matt,

MM>I know the minimum wage makes it harder for small business owners
MM>to hire employees,

The federally mandated minimum wage does not mean that every state
has to keep its own minimum wage at that low level.  In fact, the
states that have raised their own minimum wages above that of the
federally mandated minimum wage have fared better thsn those states
that have refused to do so.  Both in terms of employment and in
terms of economic well-being.

MM>but there should be some ways to help encourage employers to help
MM>be environmentally conscious at the same time.

Tax credits work wonders.  So do government subsidies.  :)

MM>Due to the high cost of gas, it costs more money to commute to work
MM>especially when it is a part time job where one gets limited pay
MM>from their wages.

One could always ride the bus.  Or ride a bike, if the bus fare is
too high.  However, keeping the federally mandated minimum wage where
it is will not make it any easier for folks to ride the bus or pedal
a bicycle.  Nor will it encourage folks to buy a car, much less pay
for gas.

MM>Instead of working four three hour shifts, an employee should just
MM>work three four hour shifts as an example.

Oh, come on.  Get real.  Working is for the birds.  Especially
working for peanuts.

MM>Perhaps, we could charge time and a half when employees do this in
MM>>particular when they live over five miles from their work place or
MM>transfer to a local branch of the company.

Good gosh, haven't you ever watched 'Star Trek'?  The working class
was done away with, with only the leisurely class being around in
the 23rd Century.  Nobody needs or wants money any more.  Capitalism
has won by doing away with class - through elimination of the working
class.

Why else do you think the Klingons and the Romulans were at war
with the Federation?  It was all economic.  Klingons represented
the Russians of the 1960s.  Romulans represented the Chinese of
the 1960s.  Although there was a Russian character by the name
of Chekov on the Enterprise, he was a very confused Russian and
often knew not what to do.  And then there was Uhura, godchild
of Martin Luther King.  She really knew how to kiss a starship
Captain to get what she wanted.  But hey.  I'm getting a bit
ahead of myself.  The thing to remember is that every crewmember
who wore red got killed in some way, shape, or fashion.  Usually
by accident, such as the transporter beam not working properly.
But also by other means.  This was only true in the original series,
as later series seem to show the Federation to have mellowed a bit
in regards to Communists ...

--Lee

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