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   
      
   --- MesNews/1.06.00.00-gb   
    * Origin: news://felten.yi.org (2:203/2)