re: Why so much talk of raising minimum wage? Why no discussion on cost of living?

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There are already plenty of programs in place to reduce the poors' cost of living. Food stamps, subsidized housing, the EITC, etc. Not that they are all adequately funded - but to suggest this hasn't been thought of before is a bit off the mark.

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I'm sure you know this is a silly statement but I'll respond amyway.

What makes you think this reduces the cost of living? I would argue these type programs actually increase the cost of living to everyone, especially the poor. If you tax higher income earners more then they are more likely to spend less because they have less. That reduces the amount of money available to be spent which leads to price increases to compensate.