The Problem With Low-Wage Work

Fabrizio Constantini/NYTimes

Across the country, fast-food workers are striking to protest low wages.  What is your initial reaction to this story?  All of us have gut instincts of one sort or another.

Like many issues, this one can easily polarize folks into un-thinking and polarizing political banter.

Personally, I eat fast food as little as possible.  And I'd be happy to pay double for my food if that's what's required for higher wages.

You may not agree with this editorial.  But it at least functions to raise a number of critical issues at stake for all of us.  Why are low-wage jobs proliferating in the new economy?  Why have service sector jobs stagnated while executive pay has soared?  We should pay executives more than we pay front line workers.  But how much more?