Liberal Forum

Cannonpointer » 26 Jan 2026, 6:18 pm » wrote: ↑

26 Jan 2026, 6:18 pm

Imagine if that video had included argument from economists who agree with the policy and economists who don't. Maybe get some sociologists and criminologists involved in the debate. I would like to see some math regarding the policy. 

For example, if the FF workers in question were averaging 17 bucks an hour and working 30 hour weeks on average, that would come to 17x30x52x750,000 going into the economy from bottom tier workers. Such moneys are agreed by economists on BOTH sides of the issue to be the most economically stimulative money in the economy - and I don't think ANYONE disagrees Cali's economy could use some stimulus. That figure is just south of 20 billion per annum. 19 billion 890 million. 

Now let's kill 18,000 workers, and raise wages by 18%. Because that's the math, going from 17 to 20. So we're looking at 20x30x52x732,000. It comes to 22 billion,838 million. Right at 3 billion dollars difference in economic stimulus. From a purely mathematorial perspective, the policy looks goodish.

Now, we are talking about human beings, profits, investment disincentives, job losses, the potential for business closures and whatever hidden costs are associated with that. There are tons of issues that a trained sociologist would spot that are entirely in my blind spot. My math doesn't even look at increased unemployment costs, or what kind of uptick in crime and other social ills come from 18,000 job losses. This is why I would like to see some economists and sociologists and maybe even criminologists arguing this ****, and not just some random loud prostitute telling only one side of the story.