"Test for Alzheimer's..." 'Marvin Gross' (Source)

Marvin Gross is a Financial consultant currently residing in Western N.Y.
Today Marvin shares  the Alzheimer's test....enjoy!

Test for Alzheimer's

If you are over 45 yrs old, you MUST  take this Alzheimer's Test How fast can you guess these words  and fill-in the blanks? 1._ _NDOM 2. F_ _K 3. P_ N_S 4. PU_S_ 5. S_X 6. BOO_S | | | | | | | | | | Answers: 1. RANDOM 2. FORK 3. PANTS 4. PULSE 5. SIX 6. BOOKS You got all 6 wrong....didn't you? You do NOT have Alzheimer's You are a Pervert!! Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook...

"The human race..." 'Robert Bitos Gandia (Source)

  Guest-blogger,Robert Bitos Gandia.
Robert is an avid cook (ono gandule rice) and always laughing!!
He works at Syngenta as a Research Associate.
Robert lives in Kekaha on Kauai's west-side and loves football!!

The human race

"A little girl asked her father: “Where did the human race come from?”

The father answered, ‘God made Adam and Eve; they had children; and so was all mankind made.’

A couple of days later the little girl asked her mother the same question.

The mother answered, ‘Many years ago there were some monkeys from which the human race evolved.’

The confused girl returned to her father and said, ‘Dad, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Mom said we evolved from monkeys?’

The father answered, ‘Well, Dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family, and your mother told you about hers.’”

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"Helping the homeless..." 'Judith Whitehead (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York and has worked in

the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.

Helping the homeless

I have always been a proponent of giving back to those in need. I have collected donations for countless causes and tried to give of my time and money whenever I could, but until recently I’d never attended a major fundraising event. I felt it was time to be a part of something larger.

My son lives in Los Angeles and works for a philanthropic boss who has been giving back to his community through the contacts he has met over his many years in the music business. So we decided to donate to the From Hollywood With Love concert to benefit the Midnight Mission in Los Angeles.

California has a huge homeless population and has a very organized way of getting people back on their feet through rehabilitation and retooling skills. The mission feeds, clothes and employs thousands of people every year. More than 30 performers donated their time and efforts by holding a four-hour concert that could be attended through a donation to the mission. Not only were the performers excellent, but the message was heartfelt. Previously homeless people stood up to speak of how easy it is to become homeless and the dangers of living on the street.

It’s easy to forget about all of the needy people in our country when we are comfortable and secure in our own homes and jobs. There is a fine line between living comfortably and losing a job and the security that comes with it. It can be lost in an instant. Many Americans live one paycheck away from becoming homeless, and this benefit of talented performers brought that fact home clearly.

As we enjoyed the music, we felt very fortunate and thankful that we were able to attend and donate money to this worthwhile event. There are so many people who fall victim to circumstances beyond their control. It seems that the homeless situation only increases nationwide as our economy struggles to stay afloat.

As we sit in our comfortable homes, we need to realize how many unfortunate people are struggling to survive, and try to make a difference and pay it forward. We felt a great sense of satisfaction as we left the event and are anxious to find more ways to give back in the future.

Those individuals who have so much need to evaluate their priorities. If everyone in some small way decided to give of his time and money, we could make a dent in our homeless situation.

Many influential individuals choose to devote their efforts and monetary support to other countries in need. How about looking at our neighbors here in the United States? Each of our 50 states has a sizable number of people who are living in shelters or on the streets. There are many hungry and needy people right under our noses. Why reach out to other countries when our own people are in desperate need? It gives us food for thought. Giving to others, even if only in small amounts of time or money, can make a huge difference if we all make the effort.

Attending this benefit concert has made me much more aware of the problems plaguing our country. I see it every day working downtown, because our office is only a few blocks away from the Buffalo City Mission. At any given time, we are witness to the homeless and needy on our city’s streets.

We all need to take a step back and realize just how much we have and how lucky we are. There but for the grace of God, go we, the lucky ones.

This blog also appeared in the Buffalo news on 03-26-14;
http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?avis=BN&date=20140326&category=OPINION&lopenr=140329211&Ref=AR&profile=1120

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"Never laugh at a Chinese...." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

"Unc" is a retired cinematographer currently living 

on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu and giving the politicians a bad time...

Never laugh at a Chinese

A Chinese man walks into a bank in New York City and asks for the loan officer. He tells the loan officer that he is going to China on business for two weeks and needs to borrow $5,000.

The bank officer tells him that the bank will need some form of security for the loan, so the Chinese man hands over the keys to a new Ferrari parked on the street in front of the bank. He produces the title and everything checks out.

The Loan officer agrees to accept the car as collateral for the loan. The bank's president and its officers all enjoy a good laugh at the Chinese for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral against a $5,000 loan.
An employee of the bank then drives the Ferrari into the bank's underground garage and parks it there. 

Two weeks later, the Chinese returns, repays the $5,000 and the interest, which comes to $15.41.

The loan officer says, 'Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that you are a multi-millionaire. What puzzles us is why you would bother to borrow $5,000? The Chinese replies: 'Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $15.41 and expect it to be there safely when I return.'

A young "Unc"

P.S. from YouTube;
  A CNN news-clip about the new way to rip of cars.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/l7OadDz3Ums

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"Fun..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic Garden Island of Kaua'i for over 40 years.
Bettejo is a regular columnist in the Garden Island news and is the author of the
famed novella, "The Scam." Today she blogs about FUN, FUN, FUN!!
www.bettejodux.com

Fun

Fun is a three-letter word. Easy to read. Easy to pronounce.Hurrah. Hurrah. Find it on page 734 in the trusty Third Edition of  the American Heritage dic-tion-ar-y—honest, that’s what it says on the cover—and the definition of FUN is brief. I’ll accept the first.

1. A source of enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure, often noisy activity. It does go on. Eight lines that it takes my 83-year-old eyes specs and a magnifying glass to read.

And then there’s a USAGE NOTE that chatters and clatters  on for 20 more lines!? The end of which states: “At present however, the ‘attributive’ use (whatever that is) of fun may still raises eyebrows, and writers who want to stay on the safe side are advised to avoid….”

Yeah? Well tell it to da judge. Don’t tell me you fat three- letter- word over weight dic-tion-ar-y thingie what to avoid. Anyhow, I was never comfortable on the safe side. The safe side ain’t no fun. No how. I’d rather play the playfully incorrect game. Wouldn't you?

I mean fun should be funny. Foolish. Silly. Amusing. Entertaining. Enjoyable.Have fun watching the herd-that’s the human herd-splashing at the beach. Surfing. Climbing and falling graceful- no broken limbs-out of trees. Feeding and window shopping at the malls.  Skating, biking, strolling on the scenic paths  or hiking in the hills. Young humanoids playing in a play ground.

Having fun is a very healthy  occupation. We should all indulge more.

Noisy activity? You betcha. Sing. Dance. Twang a guitar or a uke.  Enjoy a lively raucous-but peaceful-debate or conversation. Kick up your heels, it’s later than you think.

Hop, skip and jump. Clap you hands and chortle.

Watch other living things have fun. A dog chasing  a ball or its tail or just goofing around. A cat or a kitten batting a ball of string. I think birds have fun flying and dolphins and whales have fun cavorting in the sea and sleek  monk seals have fun soaking up sun on  the sand.  I think everything’s more fun when  it’s free.

‘Course it’s also fun to share a glass of wine, a bite of cheese,  a crunchy cracker. A slurpy chocolate ice cream on a stick. A cookie. A cuppa aromatic nose twitching coffee or  tea or a beer on a lanai or a porch or a garage turned into a party place when friends come calling.

At this very moment I’m having fun watching a speckled hen appear and disappear in a shady and  sun speckled  bank. The sun is out. They bask. A red necked crowing rooster follows at a distance.  They have a happy, healthy, freedom loving family. They swallow earth worms whole.

Robert Louis Stevenson, a Scott-he’s got a bar at the Hyatt, a fun place- said, “The world is so full of a number of things, I think we should all be as happy as kings.”

Maybe that should read, “The days are filled  with the funniest things, I think we should all be as funny as kings.”

Fast curtain

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"Identity theft, or not..?" 'James "Kimo" Rosen

James "Kimo"Rosen is  a retired professional photographer living in Kapa'a
with his best friend Obama da Dog. Rosen also blogs as a hobby.
This blog centers on the fastest growing crime in America, "Identity Theft."
Wait a second the guy in the photo is not Rosen?  Help Police!
Seriously folks, this is a major problem and growing by the day. Please read and pass it on...

This blog also appeared as my bi-weekly column in the Kaua'i Garden Island news
on 03-24-14 with the title " Identity theft, or not?" 
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/identity-theft-or-not/article_2d61f72a-b30c-11e3-9a42-0019bb2963f4.html                         "

Identity theft, or not

I like to call it  electronic pick pocketing, most call it Identity theft.  Either way it is currently the number one crime in America.

The joke goes, "It's true what they say about identity theft being on the increase. I woke up this morning and didn't know who I was."

Seriously, there was a salesman making the rounds in the retirement community where I reside. He was allegedly selling some sort of cellular phone service. He knocked on my door and before he  finished his spiel I said, "not interested."He left cussing me loudly behind his breath, as I pondered if I may had been a little short with him?

I peeked out the curtain as old people like to do and saw my female neighbor mesmerized, talking story with this slick young good looking salesman in her yard.

After the salesman left I called that neighbor and inquired if she bought into his deal and if she had given him any debit or credit card numbers? She said she hadn't, I was relieved she had not bought anything from this man since  I received some really bad energies from him.

... However the salesman before departing her place asked her if he could take a photo of her drivers license, she obliged with letting him take a photo of her Hawai'i  state issued ID. I was besides myself, I was going postal on my neighbor, I was freaking out.

How can anyone let a total stranger come into  their home and allow them to try and sell you something, then when you don't buy anything  they ask for your ID to take a photo of it, and you oblige  them?

I was furious, after-all there all no soliciting signs all over this 55 and over retirement community and second I was outraged this man was preying on seniors. You read about identity theft all the time but never think it will happen to you, your neighbors or your loved ones.

I was hot, I called as many of my neighbors as I had phone numbers on and gave them the heads up and to beware of a man on the prowl.

Finally after contemplating the situation I called the police. I never call the police, I hate calling the police, however in this case I felt justified. I felt my neighbors and  friends were being preyed upon  about by a thief. This man was taking advantage of vulnerable people that sometimes just  need someone to talk to.

The police arrived and detained and questioned the salesman. The police agreed with me that there was something fishy going on, however get this; the neighbor whose ID he photographed did not care to press any charges.  The police then told my neighbor she can not complain in 2 or 3 months from now if there are unwarranted charges on her bank statements for items she never ordered or fake ID issued with her name.

The police agreed with me, my neighbor didn't. Just wish the police would had found enough evidence to stop this man before he finds you. 

Identity theft  is the fastest growing crime in America. The number of identity theft incidents has reached 9.9 million a year, according to the Federal Trade commission.

Be vigilant and report any suspicious phone solicitations, emails asking for personal information, or door to door salespeople demanding identification. These are the modern day Bonny and Clyde's, they must be stopped!

This is me 1982, Rocky River Alaska!

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/identity-theft-or-not/article_2d61f72a-b30c-11e3-9a42-0019bb2963f4.html

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"Renew, refresh and schmooze ..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York and has worked in

the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.

Renew, refresh and schmooze 

This week Friday will be not only a TGIF day but the annual Ophthalmology seminar that I will attend in Rochester at Strong Hospital.

 It's a time to renew, refresh and schmooze with all my colleagues that attend from the East Coast.  It is always well attended and brings a new prospective to my profession.  Good food, good company and new knowledge...a winning combination..and...it's supposed to NOT snow on Friday.

Thank you  Spring Gods.

P.S. Check out this YouTube!
How can anyone on Kaua'i not want a dairy farm? They say be kind to udders!

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/lXKDu6cdXLI?rel=0

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"Beer or face creme... " 'Obama Da Dog' (Source) (From Facebook)

Obama Da Dog lives in Kapa'a Hawai'i with her best friend
James "Kimo" Rosen. Obama is a regular contributor to dakinetalk, although at times
she is constipated too...   ;D)

Beer or face creme

A husband and wife are shopping in their local Wal-Mart. The husband picks up a ...case of Miller Lite and puts it in their cart.

'What do you think you're doing?' asks the wife. 'They're on sale, only $10 for 24 cans', he replies. 'Put them back, it's a waste of money', demands the wife, and so he does and they carry on shopping.

A few aisles further on along, the woman picks up a $20 jar of ...face cream and puts it in the basket.

What do you think you're doing?' asks the husband... "It's my face cream. It makes me look beautiful,' replies the wife.

Her husband retorts: 'So does 24 cans of Miller Lite and it's half the price....'

HUSBAND DOWN, AISLE 7 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Just Say Yes..!" 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Dats Me!  James "Kimo" Rosen. This blog also appeared as an opinion
article in the 03-18-14 edition of the Honolulu Staradvertiser.
http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

Just Say Yes!

No to the Superferry, no to plastic bags, No to GMO's, no to more roads, no to  a Walmart super center and currently no to a dairy. There is a group on Kauai we refer to as the Anti's, formerly known as the contrarians.

Anti's are basically against anything that   could help civilization progress into the 21st century. Most anti's are transplants from the mainland USA, most are liberal.  The anti's are usually active in politics and one of the first things they do upon relocating to a new community is register to vote.

Many  local people  have given up on the political process, and for good reason. The dilemma lies in that there is a large number of born and raised local that wanted a ferry system, that wanted a Walmart super center, wanted more roads and want the Rainbow papaya industry to continue.  

Everyone needs to vote, we may not have the best choices and more times than not we vote for the better of the two evils.

It's time to say yes! Please everyone, register to vote, and then don't forget to vote. Yes is not a dirty word! 


P.S.
This blog also appeared a an opinion article in the 03-18-14 edition of The Honolulu Staradvertiser.

Aloha, check out my  opinion article in  the 03-18-14 edition of the  Honolulu Staradvertiser. Since they have a paywall and most of you are not subscribers I have therefore copy and pasted it below;

Kauai’s ‘antis’ intimidate locals 

No to the Superferry, no to plastic bags, no to GMOs, no to more roads, no to a Walmart super center. There is a group on Kauai we refer to as the “antis,” formerly known as the contrarians.

Antis are basically against anything that could help civilization progress. Most antis are transplants from the mainland, most are liberal. The antis are usually active in politics and one of the first things they do upon relocating to a new community is register to vote.

Many local people have given up on the political process, and for good reason. There is a large number of born-and-raised locals who want progress but are afraid to speak.

It’s time to say yes. Please everyone, register to vote, and don’t forget to vote. Yes is not a dirty word.

James “Kimo” Rosen
Kapaa, Kauai
http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

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" Movie Stars and stuff " 'Bettejo Dux (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic Garden Island of Kaua'i for over 40 years.Bettejo is a regular columnist in the Garden Island news and is the author of the
famed novella, "The Scam."
www.bettejodux.com
Please note; Bettejo is writing about this since there was a recent call for extras for the upcoming filming of the fourth movie in the blockbuster dinosaur franchise.
 'Jurassic Park' set to begin filming on Kaua'i this Spring. 
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/a-jurassic-audition/article_888b20ca-ad91-11e3-a863-0019bb2963f4.html?_dc=921306638745.5911

 Movie Stars and stuff 

“I was a movie star once.”

“Ignore her. She’s trying out for a part in Jurassic World.”

“The oldest lady dinosaur in the flock?”

“Did dinosaurs come in flocks?”

“They came in herds-herbivores- or packs-carnivores. I’m surrounded by idiots. Shut up and eat your cracker. This is my story.”

“Pass the dip.”

“It was a hundred years ago. We were beautiful then.”

“This cracker is stale and the dip’s icky.”

“Columbia Pictures had blocked pesos in the Philippines, so they sent a flock of Hollywood types, a director, a darling starlit, a handsome guy who wore makeup in the day time and a couple of really weird scripts. I was a darling on the stage of the Manila Theater Guild and all guild members tried out for parts. I was cast as a singer.

Our set was a dive on the waterfront. I wore a black lace terno. Fitted to the knees and then flared, I loved it. Gorgeous sleeves. It was beautiful. It was me. It was mine.”

“Major production. Bring your own costume.”

“Yeah? Well, the night of first filming was big time.The entire  block around the joint was cordoned off. Yellow ribbons, cops galore. We arrived on the set in long black limousines. Glorious stars on a red carpet.  It was a dance hall and a bar, while bright white whirligig lights-the rage of olden days-spun and spattered as extras danced the night away on a cold hard solid concrete floor.

I think it must have taken twenty shots to get me through my big scene. I’m a terrible singer. But between takes I sat at a round table with the handsome Hollywood actor drinking coca cola laced with rum. My performance kept getting better and better. So I was told.

Between sacred move star land there was a  bar where commoners were corralled   behind a four-foot high concrete wall. But it wasn’t long before a tipsy scruffy groundling clambered over the wall and walked a crooked mile to our star-studded table.”

“I know who you are,” he blubbered  and began at the top of a list of famous names in the movie business. I shook my head. At the end of the list he slobbered in nasty anger, “Then who are you?”

“I’m Bettejo Dux,”I responded hiccuping with great dignity.

“Never heard of’ya,” he stumbled his way back to the wall and disappeared head first, ass over tea kettle, on there other side. I hoped he landed on his head.

“Isn't that  pain in the neck?” My handsome companion said, continuing to rub my foot. Standing for hours holding up a mike does make your feet hurt. “Being accosted by creeps like that is part of the price we pay for fame.

“The price is too high.” I wobbled from the table took center stage and did a perfect take. All the extras  applauded. They could rest their feet.


I don’t like making movies. Being yelled at by a director with a bull horn is not healthy.

Movie star, Bettejo Dux
(Pronounce Dukes) on far right---Fast curtain...

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"Difference between Hawai'i & Alaska..." 'Obama Da Dog' (Source) rewritten originally was California and Texas

Obama Da Dog lives in Kapa'a Hawai'i with her best friend
James "Kimo" Rosen. Obama is a regular contributor to dakinetalk, although at times
she is constipated too...   ;D)

Hawaii

The Governor of Hawa'ii is jogging with his dog along a nature trail.
A coyote jumps out and attacks the Governor's dog, then bites the Governor. 

The Governor starts to intervene, but reflects upon the movie"Bambi" and
then realizes he should stop because the coyote is only doing what is natural. 

He calls animal control. Animal Control captures the coyote and bills
the state $200 testing it for diseases and $500 for relocating it. 

He calls a veterinarian. The vet collects the dead dog and bills the
State $200 testing it for diseases. 

The Governor goes to hospital and spends $3,500 getting checked for
diseases from the coyote and on getting his bite wound bandaged. 

The running trail gets shut down for 6 months while Fish & Game conducts
a $100,000 survey to make sure the area is now free of dangerous animals. 

The Governor spends $50,000 in state funds implementing a
"coyote awareness program" for residents of the area. 

The State Legislature spends $2 million to study how to better treat rabies
and how to permanently eradicate the disease throughout the world. 

The Governor's security agent is fired for not stopping the attack.
The state spends $150,000 to hire and train a new agent with
additional special training re the nature of coyotes. 

PETA protests the coyote's relocation and files a $5 million
suit against the state. 


Alaska


The Governor of Alaska is jogging with his dog along a nature trail.
A coyote jumps out and attacks his dog. 

The Governor shoots the coyote with his state-issued pistol and keeps jogging.
The Governor has spent $.50 on a .45 ACP hollow point cartridge. 

The buzzards eat the dead coyote. 

And that, my friends, is why Hawaii  is broke and Alaska is not.

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"Hi Uncle Tom..." 'Robert Bitos Gandia' (Source)

 Guest-blogger,Robert Bitos Gandia sitting on left...
Robert is an avid cook (ono gandule rice) and always laughing!!
He works at Syngenta as a Research Associate.
Robert lives in Kekaha on Kauai's west-side and loves football!!

Hi Uncle Tom

Hi Uncle Tom,
I am a lady aged 26, I left my husband with the maid and my baby at home, I drove for just
about 2 km from home & my car engine started to overheat so I had to turn back to get another
car, when I got home I found my husband in bed with our maid, I don't know what to do now please help me.

UNCLE TOM'S REPLY:

Over heating of the engine after such short distance can be caused by problems associated with the radiator, you need to check the oil and water level in your engine before you start your journey, you must also make sure your car is
serviced regularly to avoid problems in future hope this helps.

P.S. Anonymous from Facebook;
A little girl was watching her parents get dressed for a party. When she sees her father put his tuxedo jacket on she warns, "Dad, you shouldn't wear that jacket."

"And why not, darling?"


"Because you know that it always gives you a headache the next morning."


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"A flood of memories..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York and has worked in

the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.

A flood of memories, remembering the  good Ole days....

I work with a girl that is half my age...she could be my daughter...the other day we began to discuss the advances that have been made in TV watching and programming.  She told me her son liked to watch the old cartoons of Tom and Jerry and Jetsons. A flood of memories came back to me about the good ole days when TV was simple with simple plots, black and white and one had to get up from their seat to turn the channel. I can't help but believe that those simple times were so much better for everyone in so many ways.  First of all, watching TV brought more exercise ; you had to actually move to surf the channels, plots were so simple and just enjoyable...no violence in programming for kids, just good fun.  And in our house there was a limit to how many hours we were allowed to watch the mindless TV...no day time watching except on Saturday am and weekday evenings.  

There were more important things to do besides sitting in front of the tube such as cleaning our rooms or just playing outside in the FRESH air.  Now our children are being raised on the clicker TV where we can view hundred of channels with a movement of one finger; kids veg out on the couch for hours at a time and snack - maybe this has only complicated our children's  health in more than one way...I guess that's why we call them the GOOD OLE Days.

P.S. This YouTube will change you in exactly 60 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXjE68-_jBs

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"MINIMUM WAGE MYTHS..." 'Douglas Dunn' (Guest-blogger)

Guest blogger Douglas Dunn  is a regular commenter and guest-blogger on dakinetalk... Doug runs a small publishing consulting business in San Diego county and is a  certified American sign language (ASL) interpreter (for Deaf people),  last but not least he has been a Democratic Party media spokesperson and has had  the good fortune to work with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Doug also drives a Nissan Leaf !

Doug drives  a Nissan Leaf electric car and  is doing his part to help save the planet along with

saving quite a few dollars by never ever having to purchase gas , ever!

Doug with President Obama back in
2007 at the California Democratic Convention

Editor's note, Doug is debating dakinetalk  blog of 03-06-14;
"Minimum wage increase,It's a bust..."
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2014/03/minimum-wage-increaseits-bust-james.html

MINIMUM WAGE MYTHS

The two arguments most commonly used by conservatives against raising the minimum wage are that it would cause inflation (the cost of labor being passed on to consumers) and that it would reduce employment. Both have been totally debunked by actual economists in economic journals when not funded by the fast-food industry.

As to inflation:

Consumer PRICE is not based on the cost of goods. That is a myth promoted by those who want to scare consumers into supporting lower wages to workers. PRICE is set at the intersection of SUPPLY and DEMAND. At best, cost of goods is one indirect component of SUPPLY.

They can't just "pass the costs along" — they can't sell for more than is allowed by DEMAND — "what the market will bear."

PRICE is NEVER based on cost. People produce stuff they can't sell all the time, and end up selling it at a loss (think about how real estate goes "under water" or what a "short sale" means). New Balance athletic shoes are better quality, MADE IN AMERICA with American wages at higher costs, but sell for a LOWER PRICE than Nike, which is a poorer quality and cheaper (slave labor) production costs, but has more consumer demand because they have better marketing PR. From 1955 to 1975, McDonald's repeatedly complied with numerous significant increases in the minimum wage (which brought it to almost $20/hr in inflation-adjusted equivalent today), yet the price of a basic McDonald’s hamburger, in that entire 20-year period, stayed completely constant at a flat 19¢ — no price increase at all.

And, yes, even IF you passed along the costs, which doesn't actually happen, because compensation to low wage workers is only a fraction of operating costs, the actual price increase if the entire cost were passed along to consumers, which has never occurred in the past, the actual increase would be extremely small.

By the way, how come conservatives who are so concerned about raising wages for the poorest workers are never concerned about the effect on consumer price of waging CEO compensation?

As long as goods are still profitable, even if the margin is diminished, the supply will continue and the price still cannot exceed what the market will bear.

Example: Minimum wage in New York City is $7.25 / hr. Minimum wage in San Francisco is $10.55 / hr — $3.30 per hour higher. Yet a Big Mac in San Francisco does not cost more than in New York City. It is still about the interplay between SUPPLY and DEMAND.

As to causing higher unemployment:

The conservative MYTH that minimum wages reduce employment (because of the supply/demand dynamic they were so quick to overlook in discussing consumer prices), in that if you raise the cost of something, you will have less of it; ergo, raise the cost of labor and you will have less of it.

This myth has been utterly debunked by replicated university studies (and I have the specific references for anyone who wants them) that were NOT funded by the fast-food industry.

Yes, labor is an economic commodity, and raising the price should theoretically reduce the supply, BUT only in a simplistic, myopic, one-dimensional conservative world lacking nuance.

In the reality, what real-world studies have proven, is that LABOR is PEOPLE (duh!) — and the WORKERS who make up the "commodity" element of labor play MULTIPLE roles in the economy; they are multi-dimensional, and it is more complex than simplistic CONs understand. WORKERS are also CONSUMERS, and when they have more money in their pockets, they increase DEMAND, which requires more supply of goods and services, and to satisfy that DEMAND, and produce that SUPPLY, more workers need to be hired, and EMPLOYMENT IS INCREASED. Business owners do not hire teenagers out of the goodness of their hearts because they just love young people or because they have extra money burning a hole in their pockets. They hire exactly the fewest number of workers they need to meet consumer demand. So when consumer demand goes up, so does hiring, even if the profit margin for the employer is narrower. As long as there is one, it will go up.

But NO ONE WILL BE HIRED if no one can afford to buy what no one is making thus resulting in no demand.

And the conservatives only point to the economic cost of low wage workers, never to CEO compensation nor do they explain why CEO's or shareholders should pay LOWER tax rates on their higher incomes.

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