Looking Up at the Bottom Line: The Struggle for the Living Wage!

In, Looking Up at the Bottom Line: The Struggle for the Living Wage! Mr. Richard R. Troxell has produced an unquestionably compelling argument for the Universal Living Wage; an income by which it is possible for an individual to afford the necessities of life.  Troxell’s book is an often disturbing narrative cataloging his personal effort, and the efforts of thousands of advocates, to end poverty and homelessness in a society where is seems that those with power unapologetically abuse and oppress those whom they find dispensable.  Along with a devoted group of people, Richard Troxell has been working for decades to promote social justice. From Philadelphia to Austin, and many places in-between, he has been a champion for people living without safe, permanent housing in courtrooms and on the streets.  He founded several non-profit advocacy groups by which he is able to address the unhealthy and dangerous conditions in which he witnesses many people living.  He has staunchly defended his friends against a barrage of injustice after unfathomable injustice. 

Troxell founded House the Homeless, Inc. in 1989 to serve as a vehicle for change.  His first move towards devoting his life to Austin’s forgotten was in creating Legal Aid for the Homeless, which is a special office of Legal Aid (Troxell, 2010). Throughout the past 24 years he has tirelessly stood next to the people in our society whom have had no voice in the decisions which have directly affect them. 

With over 10 million minimum wage workers living on $7.25 and another 10 million undocumented workers very likely living on much less than that, it is unreasonable to assume that they will all find it possible to afford basic rental housing (Troxell, 2010). Millions of workers are being pushed into poverty and into homelessness.  With Troxell’s math, (as of 2010) it would take a minimum wage of $13. 23 to afford basic rental housing in Austin, Texas (Troxell, 2010).  It seems that people are more than expected to work themselves to death at a job which will not even afford them a safe place to sleep. 

            With housing currently comprising 37% - 50 % of one’s income Troxell argues that current method of using food, which comprises approximately 16% (down from 23% when the federal standard was set, and when housing was 29%) of a person’s income (Troxell, 2010).

The current Federal Minimum Wage (FMW) in all of its glory, in light of the situation, appears cruel and useless.  The arbitrary manner with which increases are considered (or, not considered), whereby policy makers pick numbers out of the air, is symbolic of their ineptitude to serve the workers of the United States.  Raising the FMW by a single, unadjusted amount also seems absurd.  Troxell’s formula, created using current (as of 2010) government guidelines creates a system in which, if an individual works 40 hours, they should be guaranteed to afford basic rental housing, as well as the necessities of life such as food, transportation, clothing and emergency room access no matter where they may live in the country (Troxell, 2010).  Troxell points out a troubling truth; people will do anything for money to survive, and with nothing else to offer they likely turn to selling drugs and even other people (Troxell, 2010).  The people need support not abuse.  Troxell estimates that 1 million workers could get off of the streets with the Universal Living Wage.

Homelessness

It is the essence of depression
It is immoral
It is socially corrupt
It is an act of violence
      -Inscribed upon the Homeless Memorial in downtown Austin, Texas

 

 

Reference

Troxell, R.R., (2010), Looking up at the bottom line: The struggle for the living wage!

          Austin: Plain View Press.