How much is enough? How much is too much?

"Get ready folks. The socialists are going to playing this record over and over again for the next year. They don't understand our lingo, and we sure don't understand theirs. We do however, understand history."

One of the big differences between socialists and normal American folk, is the way socialists talk. More specifically, what they talk about. Sure, we know the Left constantly talks about race (where we don't, nor feel we need to), but that is only part of it. The big difference is money. Specifically, how much money is needed to be supplied by the government. Why? So everyone can live comfortably. Plus - how much is too much. For if that "too much" threshold is breached, it will be up to the government to take the "excess" away.

The big issue these days is getting the bottom of the wage scale up. No matter what you do, hour many hours you work, or how good you are at your job - the entry level money needs to be set at a level. Right now, that level is moving towards $15/hour (or $30,000 a year). Anyone with a brain larger than a sparrows, knows that 30 grand a year is not spit. It is beginner's wages. A place to start. There is no way on this green Earth you can live on that little money, unless you want to live like a pauper. 

When I have been asked by a young person coming out of college or trade school, what type of wage they should shoot for, I tell them somewhere between $50,000 and $75,000 (depending on the job). They might not get it, but it is something to shoot for. I will tell you this - a decent house (not a "McMansion"), a car payment, student loan payment, food, utilities, insurance, and of course - sundries, will eat up that amount in a New York minute. Even $100,000/year today is not what it used to be. Hard to believe, but it is true.

However - good jobs are out there. Not easy to find, but out there. If you want to be creative, nimble, and hard working - you can still make a fine living in America. But - if you choose to be a bottom dweller, living on entry level wages for most of your life, it is going to be a tough slog. 

I suppose I need to address the other side of the equation. How much is "too much"? Real capitalists don't understand that question. I will never forget one time many years ago, the Director of Contracts came up to my desk. "Are you satisfied with how much I am paying you?" Stunned for a minute, I answered in the affirmative. I sure did not want to appear ungrateful. He came back immediately - "Wrong answer! Whenever your boss asks you that question, you tell him you think you are worth more - and would like the chance to prove it to him." I never forgot that exchange.

So, how much is too much? I have never been jealous of someone making a sky high salary. My feeling is this - be it by negotiation, performance, or whatever - if someone is able to get a sky high salary, good for that person. Actually, the best thing to do is try and imitate of emulate that person's traits. Success begets success as failure follows failure.

Get ready folks. The socialists are going to playing this record over and over again for the next year. They don't understand our lingo, and we sure don't understand theirs. We do however, understand history. We know where the road to socialism ends up. And that road does not end up in Nirvana.