"They'll just raise prices if thy raise the minimum wage."

[Mudhammam]

You have to remember that a minimum wage makes it illegal for a person to sell their labor for a price which is less than that specified by the government. Minimum wage is a restriction on an individuals freedom.

I see it differently. I see it as restricting one person or small group's freedom who would otherwise even more so restrict the freedom of many, namely all the employees of that one person or small group. So actually minimum wage is expanding the freedom to pursue happiness for many people and not really hurting anyone's pursuits, except perhaps an individual who's sole desire is to consume as many resources for personal gain as possible. But to modify what one prominent Republican once said, "Corporations aren't people, my friend."

I am very sympathetic to closing the disparity between the rich and poor. I just think it is stupid to think the government can close that disparity by monkeying with the labor markets. If they do...some people are screwed.

Who else is going to close it? The compassionate Wall Street executive?

Suppose for instance you are a hiring manager and you have two applicants that are equal in every respect save one. One applicant just got out of prison for theft. You are forced to pay $10.10 an hour. The ex con begs you for a chance to show that he has reformed his ways. Why should you even consider taking on the extra risk of hiring the ex-con when you have another candidate you feel will do the job equally well?

However if the ex-con was allowed to sell his labor at any rate, the ex-con could agree to work for less....thus compensate you for taking on the risk of employing a known thief who promises he has reformed his ways.

Wait, so what are you advocating, that we treat ex-cons like slaves?