I continue to be astonished that people think that raising minimum wage is a panacea that will cure poverty.  This is just a short term financial boon for those struggling to make ends meet on minimum wage - until business adjusts for its higher costs and passes them all on to the rest of us.  In a year or two, that minimum wage increase will mean little more than the old minimum wage.  Supporting and helping the marginalized is important, but this isn't what will do it.