[Superman]

Economists happily confess they don't agree. I respect that. I've read quite a bit of research from both sides of the aisle on this one and yes, I have a fairly clear impression of the impact of wage hikes on things like prices. I'd probably assert that I am one of those people with the education and experience to know. It is a part of my vocation.

It's very easy to just draw the simple conclusion that prices go up, but that is, as I say, a simple conclusion. On our current project, an airport, the owner negotiated with the vendors that they would sell their wares, food especially, at regular street prices. Not the gouging prices often seen in airports. I asked whether the vendors requested a lease concession in order to recover the revenue lost due to the requirement that prices be reasonable. No, they didn't. Apparently, they make the difference up in volume. And they knew, going in, that they would make this difference up.

But the thing that I would, if I could get folks to be honest, insist on is consistency. Many folks here lambaste the "system" for subsidizing poor folks. Using taxpayer money to underwrite the lives of the 'working poor.' So which is it? Do you want these peoples' wages to cover their expenses.......or not. If not, then stop biotching about the cost to government and the taxpayer. If so, then let's insist that living wages be paid to workers.