> However if you look at the national minimum wage of $7.25/hr, compare that to inflation or productivity, you'll see that the lowest earners are worse now How

> However if you look at the national minimum wage of $7.25/hr, compare that to inflation or productivity, you'll see that the lowest earners are worse now How large is that group in absolute numbers and what demographics do they represent? A high school student earning this amount because his parents want him to accrue some basic time management skills - no big deal. A college or certificate program student working a minimum wage job as they are waiting to graduate and switch into professional career - slightly bad deal, but things will get better. An income earner for a family of 6 where this individual is the only one working - very bad deal. Would be interesting to see distribution of demographics before coming up with blanket solutions.