[bryanlarsen]

That's the point, it certainly does tamper with the market price. If somebody is receiving EITC & food stamps, they may be willing to accept a job paying $2 an hour because that $2 an hour will allow them to buy a little bit of meat to go with their rice & beans.

Without EITC & food stamps and other assistance $2/hour wouldn't cover food & rent even working 2 jobs, so they'd be forced to turn those jobs and look elsewhere, most likely to crime.

EITC & food stamps to the employed are a subsidy for the employer and distort the true market price for labour. Perhaps less than a minimum wage does.