I've been butting heads with Bacon about this for some time. Bacon's opinions on the minimum wage take a very simplistic - and wrongheaded - view of the current employment situation in this country. The minimum wage should be a livable wage. It certainly USED to be one.
To imply that increasing the minimum wage would increase the cost of goods and services out there goes counter to all factual information out there. And, fuck it, if a livable wage means $8 quarter pounders, then maybe we can stand to eat a few less quarter pounders.
This country is filled with people who can't find a job, and more who have found low paying jobs and can't find anything more. Trish's story is just one of millions. These are not lazy, untrained, or irresponsible people. These are smart, responsible workers willing to put in a hard day's work.
If you've got a good, comfortable job... good for you. I hope you don't lose it.
I want to link to a video. Morgan Spurlock and his girlfriend/wife once spent 30 days living on the minimum wage on his FX series "30 Days". It was a powerful and eye-opening thing. Everyone should watch that episode.
Meantime, here's John Green explaining why the Affordable Care Act is good for capitalism and will help small business owners.