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Comment by rc_mob | Hacker News Reader

This sounds like good problem to have. Companies can pick from a larger pool and find better workers.

Well, I guess that's one way to put a positive spin on unemployment.

It's putting a positive spin on paying people a living wage. Unemployment goes up, support the unemployed with safety nets and raising taxes.

The problem is not the cost; the money exists in the economic system, clearly. It's simply an allocation issue.

But pessimists can keep carrying on with "the sky is falling" while progressive economic policies continue to march forward, bringing the US to parity with the living standards of other first world countries.

while progressive economic policies continue to march forward

March forward? If anything there has been a dismantling of "progressive" economic policies over the last few decades. To the benefit of the economy.

You must admit, this is a significant win for Sanders (Disney first, now Amazon). I agree with you that progressive policies have been dismantled over the last few decades, but would argue that the electorate is engaged enough now to claw back those losses (majority of Americans support universal healthcare now, for example).

My point was this is not the last win for Sanders and those who align with his progressive policies. Efforts will continue to drive up the minimum wage in all 50 states.

> The problem is not the cost; the money exists in the economic system, clearly. It's simply an allocation issue

Yeah I really agree with this statement a lot

The problem is that "better workers" is usually defined by most companies as "smallest possible salary".

Isn't that how consumers behave? A "good deal" is usually finding the product at the lowest cost possible..which is usually made possible by paying people the "smallest possible salary" the market can bear.

Consumers like you and I are responsible for this.

Well, it seems like you are conflating two very different issues, but anyway, that's not how I behave, personally. I buy more expensive products less often, provided that those are produced in a humane way (e.g. no sweat shops or animal cruelty involved).

A "better product", in my view, is radically different from a "cheaper/cheapest product". The same goes for professionals.

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