That's why I can't have any sympathy for businesses that don't want to pay higher wages. $20 is still too low in California. It makes no sense that if a person has two jobs they are still struggling to make ends meet.
I can't speak on other states, but in Cali most people are either:
- On welfare entirely with no income or unreported income.
- making too little money to even try to save, but getting by with welfare.
- Making just enough that they can't afford most public aid, so they struggle. One missed/misused paycheck puts them in a hole.
- Making low six figures, enough to not worry if they don't live above their means, but probably doesn't have much savings, if any.
- Mid six figures is where I would say a middle class can exist. Enough to save, occasional vacation, own their home, maintain their car...
- After that is the working rich. They may have a million, but that's not much in Cali, so a smart person tries to grow that, so essentially they don't have it to spend, but invest their way from being at risk of truly being middle class.
- Then their are the politicians. Money is not a factor here, because they work for the next group.
- Motherfuckers. They are actually rich and tell politicians what to do and if they get to keep doing politics.