If he really feels this way, why doesn't he just give poor people his money? Billionaires are always giving away their fortunes. Ford didn't increase pay so their workers could afford cars. He increased it to avoid turnover. > Ford figured that if he raised their wages, to a then-exorbitant $5 a day, they’d be able to afford his Model Ts. People already give $316 B to charity each year. https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=42 > Total giving to charitable organizations was $316.23 billion in 2012 (about 2% of GDP). This is an increase of 3.5% from 2011.
I don't think just throwing money at the masses will solve the problem. His point is that capitalism works best from the middle out. The more you pay your workers, the more they buy from you. This benefits everyone and is the cornerstone of a thriving economy. It reminds me of Silicon Valley's "tip-to-tip" brainstorm. It's a nice thought but I'll be keeping my pitchfork sharp just in case.
Because that wouldn't a be a structural change. Nick Hanauer's net worth / American population below the poverty line = 22 bucks each Remember when Bush gave everybody $200 on their tax return back in '03 or '04 or whatever? Remember how that accomplished exactly fuckall? When you're saying "give 1.45 million Walmart workers an additional $10k a year" you're saying "Walmart alone is on the hook for 14.5 billion dollars." $10k a year at 45 million people is 450 billion dollars. Per year. That's the sort of thing that requires legislation.
No legislation required. People already give $316 B to charity each year. https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=42 > Total giving to charitable organizations was $316.23 billion in 2012 (about 2% of GDP). This is an increase of 3.5% from 2011. Divided by 45 million people is $7k per year. Good enough. http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=%24316.23billion%2F45+million
No, never take anything from people by force. Didn't your mother tell you that? Charities can give money where they choose.