I totally agree that nobody should have to work for 2 cents per word, in an ideal world. However, I have done work for little more than this. Typically I research write and edit a 1000 word article in two hours. So the hourly rate is a little higher than you mentioned, but still far from being great. We're not in an ideal world, and during the times I needed to buy food and pay bills, I couldn't rely on thousands of other writers to refuse work and force these people to raise their rates. I only had myself to rely on, so I took the work and fed myself and paid my bills. But yes, you are right. We should be paid more. I turn this type of work down when I can, but I will take it f there is no other option.