Would you like fries with that?

Maybe I'm getting old but whatever happened to the casual part time job? I recently applied and was hired to work in a casual dining restaurant. I am a full time college student right now and really working hard at making my studies my priority. I am used to working in retail and I am learning an entirely new industry. We are being set up in a brand new store with corporate trainers. The premise of proving ourselves "worthy" of this minimum wage job is that we are available to them for any hours. Currently, this has meant working 6, 4 hour shifts a week. Okay so do the math; 7.4 X 24= $150 after taxes. That's actually fine as an income for me right now, but the next part means driving nearly and hour to work at another store which requires carpooling at 5:15 am. I cannot drive my car that far since it's on it's last legs with it's 3rd engine and 190,000 miles. Pardon me, but this is a friggin' part time job which consists of making sandwiches, soup, ice cream, coffee and donuts. Most of the time I am on the register, which I have done for most of my life. In addition, there is a not-so-subtle hinting that if we want our jobs and if we want to get any raises, we have to give in to their every demand. This is what we have come to. I am not too proud to sweep, mop, clean toilets, and wash dishes, which I have done in several of my positions. It does speak to the way we treat people is business: LIKE SLAVES. Trying to work 3-4 days a week to give myself a little wiggle room while I finish college does not mean I am willing to forfeit my studies. This is why so many people just give up on trying to do better. The mentality of corporate America is get 'em, threaten them, and keep them worrying so they'll do whatever they are told to keep their job. I don't know anyone that refuses to do any type of work.But why do we make folks feel demeaned, obligated and insecure to supply our workforce. As a manager I tried to teach, be an example, uplift and encourage my employees. I must be a dinosaur, because I don't see that happening anywhere. We devalue people and then wonder why taking a life seems to be so inconsequential. If you treat people poorly and tell them they're nothing, after a while, they will believe you. Come on America! Can't we do better than that?