I’ve been trying very hard not to get involved in this discussion, but now I can’t help myself. Currently America is a Representative-Democratic form of government. We vote on our officials and they make the daily decisions that effect our society. We as Americans do not vote on evert single decision we leave that to our politicians, and hope by electing them they vote for your same ideals. That is our form of government. We live in a mostly capitalistic and socialistic economic model. All economic models(capitalism, socialism, communism) can work in a Democratic government system. Conversly totalitiarian, monarchies, and other forms of government can exist in all the existing economic models.
For exampled; we , as a representative democracy have capitalism in our free market, but also have many socialistic programs. Social security, welfare, public schools, medicare, medicaid, veteran benefits, subsidized farms,hospitals etc. Some are working well some not so much. A purely capitalistic free market would be almost Darwinistic. If you are not able to survive in that society that would mean death or banishment.
Within our society there are fragments or sects or people who engage in communism. A commune, for example would be run democratically for the beneift of everyone in their society(communism).
Much of the world right now is a mixure of economic models within a different government structure. Most of Europe is represtitive-democratic with varying degrees of socialism/capitalism. There are higher taxes in many countries but with many more benefits available for the citizens. Is Italy wrong to give their citizens 5 weeks of paid vacation and free health benefits and still allow them to retire at the age of 62? Maybe? Most of the strongest economies right now are in Northern Europe and Scandanavia. They have the highest educational, health , social liberty statistics in the world.
Most of South America right now has a booming economy but are far reaching towards a socialistic ideal. Veneuela has an almost dictatorship(Chavez), but has a democratic voting process, and very “friendly”socialistic ideals. Are they wrong? Maybe?
China, is well.. whatever China is they are doing pretty well(economically).
On the idea of living wage. Are the companies responsible for your welfare in society? Not in a pure free market. Morally, could these companies forego some of their bottom dollar to give their employees a better life? Certainly. Does tha average CEO need to make an average of 300 times more then their average employee? Opposed to 40 times more just 30 years ago.
To conclude, no Disney does not have to pay their employees more than minimum wage. Can a family of 4 support themselves on minimum wage? No. Of course Disney employees know what to expect when choosing to be employed as a CM. Same as a Walmart employee. But don’t be surprised that these citizens will become the working poor and will need government aid for food and health care.