Why is it the employer's responsibility to provide a living wage?

[Zen Badger]

Any business contract between two parties should have an equitable outcome for both parties. Otherwise it is viewed as theft or fraud on the part of one of the parties to the contract.

And the relationship between the employer and the employee is a business contract.
Therefore, if the employee isn't getting fair remuneration for his efforts then his employer is stealing from him.

Do you understand that?
Or should I redo it in crayon for you?

People are generally very good at determining the fair value of something. You would have me believe that somehow, when it comes to labor...people become very stupid and need the government to negotiate for them. I just don't accept that.......people are pretty good at exchanges.

Further, your argument....isn't an argument. It is an opinion that fair value for labor must equal the laborers needs. There is no reason to think this is true other than that is the way you want to world to be. Sorry, but your world view doesn't make for a compelling argument.

I'm afraid you have failed(but I am sure you are used to that).

So why work if you are not going to be better off financially for the effort expended?

Or do you think that the peasants should work 12 hours a day for crumbs and be pathetically grateful for the "largess" of their owner...sorry....employer.

But then again the bible endorses and encourages slavery so you're probably all for it.