[Broken_Hippo]

It would indeed suck for those folks that get laid off - temporarily, at least. But those same folks will likely find another job somewhere - and as a bonus, that job will pay the higher wage. They can work less hours and be in the same situation as before or work the same amount and be a bit better off.

If the US had an actual safety net, those laid off workers wouldn't be so bad off either.

[vosper]

If you agree that the minimum wage would likely mean that there would be fewer businesses, and therefore fewer jobs, then isn't it hard to also believe that the people who lost their jobs would likely find other work? Isn't it also likely that at least some of them will become permanently unemployed?

[Broken_Hippo]

Sure, but some of that is normal. Economic downturn? A few folks get permanent unemployment. Big enough place closes? Sure, a few get permanently unemployed. I don't think there is a way to stop that, nor do I really see that as an issue so long as it is a minority of folks. It definitely isn't something special to minimum wage hikes in any case.

In fact, I'd argue that even then we are better off. Say you have 20 low-paying jobs, the sort which means you are still eligible for food stamps and other tax-payer funded assistance. All 20 get laid off. 13 find full time work at the new minimum wage, so they no longer need assistence. Four find part-time work, making nearly what they did before with fewer hours. They still need assistance, but slightly less since they don't need as much child care. One makes less money. The other two are unemployed forever, requiring assistance. I'm gonna guess this is a win in the end.