re: The GOP House should tie minimum wage to the CPI.

Minimum Wage discussions are straw men, at best. The only real way to fix the growing class of "have nots" is to create a business environment that enhances more than just the upper class while not penalizing anyone.

Replace all personal income taxes with a national sales tax (23% rate, locked in by Constitutional Amendment so it doesn't become an election-year football). Businesses could only get in on this if no one in the company makes less than 500% of the highest-compensated employee (including benefits).

Once that's accomplished, THEN look at Minimum Wage. I would be willing to bet the situation wouldn't seem as dire then.