Today’s N&O offers up this article about a study that allegedly calculates a "living wage."
The study:
"tried to show what it actually takes to pay for housing, food, childcare, health care, transportation, taxes and other necessities across the state."
What did they find?
"The average family of four in North Carolina needs $42,841 annually to meet basic needs,"
That’s right, not $42,840, not $42,842. They nailed it right down to the exact dollar amount. I’ll spare you any stale attempt at "if you don’t earn a living wage, will you die?" commentary, but the fact they arrive at such a specific dollar amount is worthy of ridicule.
Predictably, the ‘findings’ of this study say that a large share of families examined don’t meet this income threshold. What appears to be left out is the amount of government aide these families receive. Leaving out potentially thousands of dollars of financial resources helps tilt the scales in favor of the study’s intended narrative.
Even more predictably, the report cries out for more government, including:
"expanded support programs, such as childcare subsidies; a push for higher-quality jobs in business recruitment and expanded access to worker training programs."
It’s amazing how a group that labels themselves "progressive" continues to champion the status quo of government interventionism.
So, are all these people who are below a “living wage” dying? I haven’t noticed any bodies on the sides of the highway lately.
And what are the “basic needs” that the study says that we all need? I will be that we can all agree on some, but disagree violently on others.
The truth is that people can get by on MUCH less than the article states. It is not the optimum solution, and it takes a little more effort, but it is certainly possible. As the article states, MANY PEOPLE DO.