Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Friday, January 30, 2015

Low-Wage Workers Forced to Slog Through ‘Snowmageddon’

A huge blizzard is ravaging the East, causing thousands of flight cancellations, school closures, at least one death so far and general chaos. Many of those making minimum wage or less are forced to choose whether to venture into the cold or lose their jobs.

A hotel maid told Al Jazeera America: “My boss is making me work tonight and tomorrow night. If I didn’t go in, I would lose my job.” She has to commute 25 miles on dangerous roads to make less than minimum wage.

It’s a similar story when the weather is ideal. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, only 20 percent of low-wage workers nationwide have paid sick leave. That’s a real problem for everyone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a lack of sick leave is a major cause of the spread of foodborne illnesses. According to the agency, “12% of food workers said they had worked when they were sick with vomiting or diarrhea.” The reason? Fear of losing low-paying jobs needed to put food on the table and rent into the landlord’s hand.

Original Article
Source: truthdig.com/
Author: Peter Z. Scheer

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