the whole economic ecosystem is sinking due to a spiral of low-participation, low-quality services and rising backend prices for all the legally mandated support. Lots of third world countries have a more thriving street vendor situation now than major US cities. In the local news here (California), there is a monthly column of restaurant closings -- in a place known for tourism and food.

Arguments about mandatory tipping are an expression of a power struggle between large companies, small business, workers and customers. As usual, the predominant news available to consumers paints the details in incomplete ways.. Journalists are not doing original economic research, and powers-that-be won't speak plainly.

ps- undocumented workers in retail food and commercial food supply are certainly part of this story in the USA.

source: opinion