. > > here is a statement coming from rob karr. a lobbyist with the illinois retail merchants association. he says the current minimum wage is "more than fair. it is really hard on retailers and depriving young people of job opportunities." what do you think about that? does he have an argument? > > no. none whatsoever. the minimum wage is not a liveable wage, so it's well below what would be a self-sufficient wage. secondly, there have been studies where the minimum wage has been adjusted to see if it actually creates job unemployment, and it has no effect. third, there's no evidence that it actually keeps young people from finding work. what happens is, employers can afford a small, very modest increase in cost. they can either pass that along to the consumer or not. but it in fact has no negative impact on unemployment. > there are studies that show if people do earn more, they spend more, and that could help the economy and create jobs. so why does corporate america not believe that? > > that's right, there are studies that sho