I'm not an economist but do understand the effect of wages, having worked in a union manufacturing sector that is almost completely gone in this country. Raising minimum wage high enough to support a family will only work where consumers don't have a choice, that is how we lost our manufacturing base. That is why Walmart is king, people are talking with their wallets. There are very few private sector jobs that are left that fall in that category. Only public sector jobs where the consumer has no choice are wages healthy but at a very high cost to country long term. Problem is I believe almost all public sector jobs pay $15 an hour already.