WARREN: During my Senate campaign, I ate a number 11 at McDonald’s many, many times a week. I know the price on that. $7.19. According to the data on the analysis of what would happen if we raised the minimum wage to $10.10 over three years, the price increase on that item would be about four cents. So instead of being $7.19 it would be $7.23. Are you telling me that’s unsustainable?
BUSINESS OWNER DAVID RUTIGLIANO: Senator Warren, not all restaurants are created equal. I’m in a full service restaurant business. McDonalds has efficiencies and they operate completely differently than I do. I have many jobs, many jobs that pay well above minimum wage. We have a retirement plan. We offer health insurance to our salaried employees. So my business is a little different. I can’t raise a four cent price. I mean I don’t have, I don’t operate like a fast food restaurant. I would hope you appreciate the distinction.
WARREN: I do appreciate the distinction and I’m not going to be in the business of being a McDonald’s representatives but they would talk about having some higher paid jobs and some opportunities for management and advancement as well. But I get your point, maybe it’s only four cents on $7.19. But if your entrees are $14.40 we’ll see how fast I can do the math — are you telling me you can’t raise your prices by eight cents?
I heart Liz Warren
Yes, Liz Warren is invaluable and she gives a damn about how people in the 99 Percent are treated. She’s probably on eof the most important people in Washington in terms of representing us, educating us, and bringing pressure to the Very Serious People.
She is quick, understands things, and can do what Clinton did so well — take complex issues and present them in understandable terms and ways without being in any way condescending.
Oh, how I wish I had her talents, her wonderful commjnication skills. Plus, of course, the brain power to do all that.
Oh, how I wish there were about 60 or so more of people like her in the Senate!
Boy, that would give the Big Money, Bad Banksters, etc., major anxiety. Like they might see the end of their reign here in the US.
It’s interesting how raising the price of a finished product–in this case fast food–is a strict no-no, but no one takes into account the idea that the people who buy fast food at McDonald’s will be more able to afford it *because of a raise in the minimum wage.* Still, I don’t see why the Democrats’ opening bid wasn’t $16/hr so they can end up closer to $12 or $13/hr, where it actually should be. Well, of course I see why, but . . .
If you’re in love with the Capitalists and Capitalism please raise your hand. If not then get behind Warren for president/ Berinie Sanders for vice president in 2016.
Jay – ITA. Our vampire captalist class doesn’t believe we all do better when we all do better. It’s dog-eat-dog now.
“And if your restaurant “fails” because you can’t pay waitress and dishwashing staff minimum wage, your customers will patronize one which can.”
Of course OWNER DAVID can raise his price by 8 cents, but he doesn’t. He raises his prices instead by 50 cents or a dollar and tells customers, “it’s cause of that damned minimum wage” or “environmental compliance” or whatever public good he hates. He then pays out that 8 cents (and not one fucking penny more) to his employees, grumbling to anyone that’ll listen about the unfairness of it all, and pockets the difference for himself. And, unfortunately, no one, no ‘journalist’ or politician will point out the lie.