Reply #85: Well

[pipoman]

the US economy is far different than that of Australia. We cant apply what works in California to Oklahoma and have it work.

I agree with the Oregon example. It is based on Oregon economics, not NY and Nebraska combined. If each state enacted a similar plan based on their economics a higher minimum would work in most states. Again, I go back to living expenses as a base line. If minimal housing costs, say, $500 per/mo in an area, minimum wage should be in the $12.50 range. Rent should be around 25% of income. $12.50 x 40hrs/wk x 4 weeks = $2000 x 25% = $500 average rent. Minimum wage is a joke because it doesn't work, it is an arbitrary number pulled from the collective asses of people who either believe minimal housing means nothing less than 3 bathrooms or minimum of 2 plies of cardboard.