Is Minimum Wage a Back Door Assault on Fast Food Industry?

Minimum wagers tried back in the 60s and early 70s to bring collective bargaining to immigrant laborers picking grapes and lettuce.  “Why should people buy cheap lettuce at the grocery store when (sob sob) whole bracero families can’t partake of the American Dream,” the United Farm Workers seemed to argue.

     Those supporting redistribution of wealth have a moral argument that goes back for centuries.  Cesar Chavez and Robin Hood have similar sentiments, though today it’s probably the marginal middle class that will bear the brunt of expensive vegetables and pricey fast food.

       As Nanny Staters already know, people have to be saved from themselves.  Truth be told, people are addicted to fast foods, especially if there are no moms at home to plant gardens and cook wholesome meals.   Thanks to advertising and marketing, sheer appetite drives the poor to become ever more obese.  Government sees itself as responsible for managing what people should and shouldn’t be eating.  Just ask Michelle.

       The simple logic is that by driving up prices at fast food restaurants, the industry will eventually be crippled, that is, if it can’t morph into a gentrified version of itself for the upscale folks.   “Dollar menu” consumers won’t be able to stretch their new higher wages very far after all.  The word is out that Burger King is pulling away from military bases because federal power is increasingly using its “mandate” to raise the minimum wage.

      When Bob Dole decided to get in bed with the cigarette industry in exchange for campaign money, it was clear to many that Bill Clinton would be the next president.   Are there any politicians foolish enough to take contributions from the fast food industry?