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> This line of thinking leads to allowing people to sell themselves into slavery. I think there is a fundamental difference between selling labor and selling l

> This line of thinking leads to allowing people to sell themselves into slavery. I think there is a fundamental difference between selling labor and selling legal rights. You might say that someone so financially desperate has de-facto given some rights to their employer, but coercion is always illegal (whether or not this kind of person is likely to seek legal help is another story). > So, you can think my "side" is framing this in a way to justify it. This does little more than convince me your "side" is just trying to justify keeping ill earned wealth. Sounds like you dislike exploitative businesses more than you care about the homeless. That isn't necessarily right or wrong, but I think it explains your inclination on the issue.

taeric 9y ago
I think there is a fundamental difference between selling labor and selling legal rights. You might say that someone so financially desperate has de-facto given some rights to their employer, but coercion is always illegal (whether or not this kind of person is likely to seek legal help is another story). I question that difference. Selling labor is merely selling the legal rights to the product of your labor. Building a dependence into the system by allowing below living wages is something I just don't see ending well. I'm not convinced I'm correct on this. But at face value, I don't see how it works. Sounds like you dislike exploitative businesses more than you care about the homeless. That isn't necessarily right or wrong, but I think it explains your inclination on the issue. I view them as distinct things. And while I certainly encourage ways to get homeless people feeling productive, I don't think getting them below living wage jobs is doing them a favor. Reliable shelter where they are able to get food and necessities while possibly building skills is something I'm incredibly for. And I hate the NIMBY syndrome that is pervading a lot of the city. Unfortunately, I don't think there is an easy answer. :(

taeric 9y ago

I think there is a fundamental difference between selling labor and selling legal rights. You might say that someone so financially desperate has de-facto given some rights to their employer, but coercion is always illegal (whether or not this kind of person is likely to seek legal help is another story). I question that difference. Selling labor is merely selling the legal rights to the product of your labor. Building a dependence into the system by allowing below living wages is something I just don't see ending well. I'm not convinced I'm correct on this. But at face value, I don't see how it works. Sounds like you dislike exploitative businesses more than you care about the homeless. That isn't necessarily right or wrong, but I think it explains your inclination on the issue. I view them as distinct things. And while I certainly encourage ways to get homeless people feeling productive, I don't think getting them below living wage jobs is doing them a favor. Reliable shelter where they are able to get food and necessities while possibly building skills is something I'm incredibly for. And I hate the NIMBY syndrome that is pervading a lot of the city. Unfortunately, I don't think there is an easy answer. :(