Quote Originally Posted by Dreadnaught View Post
Many countries had legalized slavery for centuries, so I do take offense at the idea that something as mundane as our minimum wage law enforcement is tied into it.
OK, firstly, I never claimed the US was the only country with slaves, however the US did have 4 million official slaves in 1860 in a population of 31 million. (a fair assumption could be made that the official number was lower than the actual number). That is quite an impressive "free" labour source by anyone's definition wouldn't you say?

Secondly, why are you offended by that? Do you feel shame for an injustice that happened before you were born? That you could in no way be held responsible for? How curious.
Why is the treatment of your countries lowest income earners such a mundane issue?
Why can there be no link between the lowest workers in the past and the lowest workers in the present?

The reasons some people ignore our minimum wage laws are varied and, as I mentioned before, have more to do with basic economics and our cultural attitudes towards how we seek fair pay. I don't think how the restaurant/service industry structures its salaries is fair or efficient, but I also don't think it's an extension of some unique American desire for cheap labor. Every industry seeks out cheaper labor, and every laborer seeks out higher wages.
You are speaking in riddles, I agreed that the reasons are varied and here you are talking about cultural attitudes yet deny that your history could have any bearing on the present. Just what is it that you think a culture is and where do you think it comes from? Of course countries seek cheap labour, why do you think China is a manufacturing giant? Cheap labour, not quite slaves sure but in so many cases not far from it.