I found this meme on LinkedIn. A civilian commented on it that struck me the wrong way. What are your thoughts?

PO1 John Y. — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:29:52 -0400

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 15 at 2015 1:32 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:32:32 -0400

The public perception has changed recently. In the day, everyone knew that flipping burgers was a young kids job in getting them gas money for college, etc. Now older people think it should be a high paying career. They're doing a good job of killing the kid worker market.

Response by PO1 Kenneth Cardwell made Oct 15 at 2015 1:36 PM

PO1 Kenneth Cardwell — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:36:26 -0400

Say that to the Mothers and fathers home supporting your brothers and sisters!

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Oct 15 at 2015 1:36 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:36:51 -0400

It's a non sequiter. What one job is paid in some places has no bearing on whether or not the minimum wage is too low. If anything, it highlights the opposite - there are all kinds of jobs that are serially under-appreciated and under-compensated.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Oct 15 at 2015 1:44 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:44:26 -0400

If flipping burgers is your dream career more power to you. It's still not worth $15 and hour.......

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 1:48 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:48:48 -0400

Hoo-Boy-"...and here, we, go!"

The truth is, most Americans realize that a small percentage of veterans ever experience "combat". We can thank a cynical, "expose" driven media for highlighting this rather than the achievements, training and dedication ANY military service requires in comparison.

In addition to being paid WAY too little for all of that...many service members also enjoy fair benefits few civilians really know how to quantify; exchanges, health care, etc. We get to be "cool", spend a lot of our free time cavorting around the towns bordering our bases, and even have our own special social media/networking site (savvy?).

Balance all that against the fact that more civilians are working well below their education level, and "memes" like this get predictable ire from those who feel (not to steal from mamzy-pamzy sources) like a "Third Estate".

When I've been engaged in these discussions, I just casually ask the civilian in question whether or not they can quit the job they hate and get paid so little for whenever they like. If that doesn't work, I just point out the location of the nearest recruiting office.

This usually ends the discussion.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Oct 15 at 2015 1:52 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:52:57 -0400

I think that meme is much better put to use in raising the pay of service members than in suppressing the wages of fast food workers.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 2:02 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:02:36 -0400

I think its very tacky to compare two things that have nothing to do with each other.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Oct 15 at 2015 2:09 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:09:01 -0400

I think it is very condescending and rude. Nobody should be attacked for having the job that they have, and if military people think they somehow are of more value to America than others, then they are serving for the wrong reason. What happened to serving because it was the right thing to do?

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 15 at 2015 2:33 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:33:50 -0400

and then there is the business side to this as well -

Despite the job basic economic theory suggests that wages depend on a workers marginal revenue Product MRP. (this is basically the value that they add to the firm who employs them)

MRP is determined by two factors

MPP – Marginal physical product – the productivity of a worker
MR – Marginal Revenue of last good sold – Effectively the price and demand for the good that the worker produces.

When the wage rate is raised above the market equilibrium quantity, there is a surplus of labor, meaning more individuals are willing to work at minimum wage than firms are willing to hire. Increasing the minimum wage results in firms laying off those workers whose marginal revenue product (MRP) is less than the marginal resource cost. While the government can set the minimum wage it doesn't mean businesses can afford or will employ people at that rate. This also works the other way in creating a shortage.

Its just the way it works - however I can guarantee if you raise the minimum wage people will get laid off.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 15 at 2015 2:49 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:49:28 -0400

Incomparable jobs.

One is a Skilled Profession, the other is Untrained Labor. The compensation (Pay & Benefits) for each is commensurate with the training and education requirements.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 15 at 2015 3:15 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:15:07 -0400

What? Aren't we federal workers or retired federal workers?

According to the study from the Bureau of Economic Analysis reviewed by the Cato Institute, average government employee pay is a staggering 78 percent higher than private sector employee pay
Read more at http://patriotupdate.com/shocking-stats-show-how-much-more-government-employees-make-than-average-americans/

“The federal advantage in overall compensation (wages plus benefits) is even greater. Federal compensation averaged $119,934 in 2014, which was 78 percent higher than the private-sector average of $67,246,” the study reported.
Read more at http://patriotupdate.com/shocking-stats-show-how-much-more-government-employees-make-than-average-americans/

Shocking Stats Show How Much More Government Employees Make Than Average Americans :...

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Google+ LinkedIn Reddit StumbleUpon Digg Email While pro-big government liberals argue about “class warfare” and “income inequality,” they should consider taking a look at a recent study that shows a staggering gap in pay between private sector and government employees because, well, it’s huge. These results should not be taken lightly! According …

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 3:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:54:36 -0400

No one should say a military service member is better than a guy flipping burgers. I know some service members that should be discharged right now because they are dirt bags. And I'm sure there are guys working at a burger joint because either it's the best they can get or they've accepted that field as their only viable option. Doesn't make anyone better than the other. What DOES make people better are their values and their actions. It just so happens that the military attracts people with values and honorable intentions. And if you sign up and don't have values and honorable intentions, we'll beat you over the head with them until you get the message.

I know a Major who has deployed 7 times, been wounded 3 times in combat to include losing a leg to an IED, and has served with distinction for over 14 years. He competes in 50 mile races and volunteers for wounded veterans. I'm not saying there aren't civilians working in low pay jobs or even high paying jobs who couldn't do these things. But, the question is: Would they? THAT's the difference. It's a conscience choice day in and day out.

Response by A1C Allen Forbes made Oct 16 at 2015 1:47 PM

A1C Allen Forbes — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:47:45 -0400

I believe it's more about raising the minimum wage. They also have used firemen and police officers making 12 dollars an hour. Raise would include all jobs so even firefighters, police and every other civilian job would get it. Downside is all products would increase that we buy trying to get most companies back to profits.

Response by LTC Colin Hanzlik made Oct 16 at 2015 9:31 PM

LTC Colin Hanzlik — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 21:31:50 -0400

Two short thoughts. First: I'll bet the McDonald's worker stays in uniform. Where is this "Soldier's" body armor and helmet, let alone his uniform blouse?! Indiscipline or a wannabe fake photo at best here! Secondly (and very seriously): There are three categories of professions that should NEVER be "paid well". They are Teachers, Law Enforcement and the Military. Once any of these professions are considered to draw excellent pay, they will draw the kind of wrong-minded personnel who are in it for the money and not because of their sense of duty! If you are serious enough to get out of the military because of pay, then you weren't the right person for the job in the first place...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 9:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 21:43:49 -0400

One of many problems with this meme and the comments below is "flipping burgers." Everyone here is arguing about 'burger flippers.' There are many more low-wage jobs besides "flipping burgers." Active military personal get housing. The cost of living for civilians is crazy and doesn't match wages. This isn't about lazy 16 year olds, this is about single mothers, people who can't afford college, people who can't serve in the military (approx. 1 million active US military vs. 300 million US citizens, obviously not everyone can serve -_-), etc. Increased wages will have an impact on employers and numerous other things. So obviously, this is something simple, it needs discussion and problem solving. Memes like this and believing that raising the minimum wage is only about lazy high schoolers "flipping burgers" prevents that conversation from even happening.

Response by TSgt Marco McDowell made Oct 17 at 2015 1:06 AM

TSgt Marco McDowell — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 01:06:52 -0400

Who determines a job's value? Federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour...I've experienced that post military career. People continue to patronize service industry establishments and of course someone has to be employed by the same burger place that some folks look down on. The same skewed view is applied to military personnel. If you're not a grunt you're worthless right? Until you're bleeding out or starving or you comm is out. But we say everyone 's service is equally important. Why can't a person who works in a hotel or BK ask for a wage to keep up with the cost of living? If they were on welfare people would bellyache and now being employed the same ones bellyache about that. You never know where circumstances will place you. There's a lot more to these jobs than flipping burgers...and as a individual who had to swallow his pride and work in customer service in order to help, not cover but help pay bills, I find it offensive. Many vets do these jobs temporarily or permanently but no one here will criticize them to their faces. If McDonalds would pay 15 dollars an hour,I bet many in other occupations would show up to partake. Additionally that pic is garbage. If you joined up to make money,you're a mercenary. Service members do what they do so a guy can work at Motel 6 if he chooses to.
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Response by PO1 Joseph Gebczyk made Oct 26 at 2015 3:58 PM

PO1 Joseph Gebczyk — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 15:58:42 -0400

Tell them you want fries with that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2015 4:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:05:19 -0400

It really just comes down to one thing.... What burgers are they flipping? If it's a good tasty burger, then they might have something to complain about! Hahahaha