Finally, your last comment: "“In a very basic sense, how can an employer not raise prices to compensate? “ Um, if customers are not willing to pay higher prices? But most will, and some of the businesses that pay low wages, like restaurants, are selling middle-class luxuries that a lot of us can do without."  So if customers are willing it's OK.  So again, others paying to give other a good wage - socialism.  And if they don't want to pay more than before, they stop going there and the owner is forced to close.  Ultimately everything goes up, wages then prices then wages are not high enough again.  Get more skills to demand more money.  Don't force someone to give you a handout, which is what the increase in minimum wage boils down to.