When reality finally sets in

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I didn't say double minimum wage, but it must be raised with inflation, and has not been for nearly 7 years.

Minimum wages make up a relatively small part of the cost of most goods, and such small increase in cost of goods sold caused by increases in payments to minimum wage employees first comes out of corporations massively huge proits( profits that have benefited from the dive of minimum wages vs. inflation), because of supply and demand.

Data shows minimum wages increases do not increase inflation over time, and actually would lower the US deficit since many minimum wage workers also need governemental assistance. Basically allowing minimum wage to sink vs. inflation is corporate welfare.

Average wages do not rise drastically in the months after minimum wage increases, as we see from the data at BLS of the last minimum wage increase-- see "Total Private Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees - Seasonally Adjusted - CES0500000003"--
Jan 2009-- $22.00
June 2009-- $22.14
July 2009 (month raise went into effect)-- $22.18
Aug 2009-- $22.23
Sept 2009-- $22.26
Dec 2009-- $22.37

Sept 2009-- $

That is not what is being proposed. There has been a call and in some states a realization of 15.00 an hour. That's 30,000.00 a year. 15.00/hr is twice the current rate, actually, a bit over double. In states where the 15.00/hr minimum wage was mandated, workers were laid off. technology became cheaper than labor and was implemented to replace the workers. That hardly sounds like the 15.00/hr minimum wage had the desired effect. Even the 10 to 11 dollar/hr that has been floated would drive many small businesses to cut jobs, raise prices or reduce the size of produced products. 22.00/hour is not average in my state. Average income here is about 12 to 15 an hour.

that 37 cents/hr translates to 740/year extra per employee. in a company with 2000 employees, that is a cost of 1.5 million dollars EXTRA in labor costs. By the way, if Joe fry cook is getting 15 an hour, the average salary will no longer be satisfactory to the skilled work force which will also drive up labor costs that are not being factored in. A welder making 22/hr. will no longer be satisfied when a fry cook can get 15.00 with no skills. Companies do not absorb losses; even if it comes from wages. Those costs are always passed to the customer.