OPINION | Views expressed in this article reflect the author's opinion.

A McDonald’s restaurant near Fort Worth, Texas revealed its automation technology that replaces many roles previously held by employees.

This development comes as a rude awakening for many Democrats and liberals who have been demonizing corporations and attempting to force companies to pay a $15 minimum wage.

In response, companies are looking for new ways to reduce their long-term costs to ensure profitability. McDonald’s says the new automation will also improve speed and accuracy by eliminating human error and exhaustion.

Under the Biden administration, many companies have already been battling skyrocketing inflation and supply chain problems.

Hannah Cox, who is president of BASEDPolitics, said, “The real minimum wage is zero and you are always replaceable.”

“If you want more money find a way to add more value,” she continued. “Anyone telling you differently has no idea how to eradicate poverty.”

Keith Vanecek, who is operating the franchise in Texas, said the new automation is designed to give the restaurant team “the ability to concentrate more on order speed and accuracy, which makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone.”

Writer Patrick Casey responded to the news by saying, “On the bright side at least the ice cream machine will work.”

More on this store via Daily Wire:

— Advertisement —

McDonald’s has made several recent pushes toward increased automation. The company partnered with IBM to automate drive-thrus and unveiled voice-ordering technology at multiple Chicago restaurants last year after purchasing several artificial intelligence startups. “Do I think in five years from now you’re going to see a voice in the drive-thru? I do, but I don’t think that this is going to be something that happens in the next year or so,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said at an investor conference.

Beyond large corporations, worker shortages and higher wage pressures have prompted roughly 30% of small businesses to implement new technology systems, according to a poll from Morning Consult conducted last year.

Some policymakers nevertheless continue to call for increased pay in the restaurant services industries. Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) signed the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act three months ago, creating a Fast Food Council empowered to raise minimum wages for the industry up to $22 per hour, representing an increase of over 40% from the $15.50 per hour minimum wage slated to take effect in 2023.

A report published last year by the Congressional Budget Office found that a nationwide minimum wage of $15 per hour would result in 1.4 million job losses, even as 900,000 workers are lifted from poverty. Such a wage hike would affect 17 million workers whose pay would otherwise be below the threshold.