I’m sure you believe the last part, but what’s the practical yearly number that’s needed to make that happen? Most of us would argue at least $30K+/year, even in our poorest states, especially if you’re paying for your own health insurance. What about if you have children, or elderly dependents? What about pre-existing health conditions? What about life? Which is unpredictable, and ruthless, and fucking expensive.
Isn’t a small business owner who pays their employees $7-8-9-10/hr knowingly placing their employees on government aid? Why does the government need to provide welfare to their employees, because they are not willing to pay a living wage? How is that scenario a net positive for our society? Why am I the tax payer subsidizing the wages of these people?
And before you break into the HS kid who doesn’t need the money argument, wouldn’t we be better served with our unemployed adults working those jobs? $15/hr is a hell of an incentive to get off your couch and starting looking for work again. It’s better than what they get in charitable and government relief, and it provides a level of dignity and hope that so many lack.