Prices keep going up regardless. But when wages don't keep up with the annual cost of living increese you essentially get a pay cut each year. Yes I know its a simple way of looking at it but it really is a simple problem. The solution may not be as simple, but I don't think this is rocket science. 

I just think a family should be able to get by on one income regardless of the type of work a person does. 40 hours a week of honest  labor should make you enough to pay your rent and put food on the table with out needing food stamps or public assitance. But even with $13.50/h you only  get $2,160 a month take out taxes, rent, food, and all the the other essentials and I don't know how low wage workers do it?