What is exactly a fair wage and benefit package in America?

Wow Charity you will probably get lots of thumb's down for that answer but I completely agree with you. I would also just add a health insurance plan that covers every health care need a person would have, not one where the insurance can pick and choose what medical tests, surgeries, etc. a person needs.

I don't know what I make an hour but I make 42,500 a year. I gross about 2000 every two weeks. Almost half of my pay goes to union dues, health insurance, and taxes. I have about 1100 left. My rent is 1,050, so I basically have one paycheck to pay everything else. I am a teacher

That all depends on your definition of fair.

How much is it worth to society for the teenager working part time at the local fast food restaurant, compared to the electrical lineman that works outside on the lines.

Society and business put a value on jobs in society, and that is what those jobs are worth, the market will drive wages. To artificially set a minimum wage devalues the dollar, and does not let the market work.

We need a living wage and national health care. Rents should be less than 1/4 of income. If decent one bedroom rentals in an area are $600 per month, then minimum wage needs to be $2500 per month.

Being that America is the country which owns and controls the means of production, including labor, if possible, and given the current economic crisis, you wanna talk about wages! This is an anti-labor country, if you've been paying attention for the last thirty years! ANTI UNION! So if you want fair, try working for free or a penny a day like Abe Lincoln's dad. Slavery. That's what made America great!

The only fair thing is to give everyone everything and not make anyone work for it, or at least that's what liberals want.

If you don't think you are being treated fairly, get another job.

It depends on the cost of living expenses in your area . . . but as a general rule . . . an employee should be able to afford the basics in exchange for full time work . . . a small home, a newer model "used" car, food, and a small emergency fund at the end of the month . . . the basics do not include an over sized, over priced home, a new car, a television in every room with cable attached, nintendo, cell phones for the children . . . and all this other crap that people think they need.

That's impossible to answer. You did not state your profession, experience level, etc.. There are sites on the web that can help you get all the answers to your question, based on your profession, experience level, and where you would live. Monster has some of those tools.

As much as a company is willing to pay.

Or

As much as you can get.

You decide