Of course, minimum wage workers aren't really entirely on their own, especially if they have children. There are programs like food stamps, Medicaid, and the earned income tax credit to help them along. But that's sort of the point. When large companies make profits by paying their workers unlivable wages, we end up subsidizing their bottom lines.

I think this much is lost on many political conservatives that see nothing wrong with the propagation of WalMart, but dislike social welfare programs. The money has to come from somewhere. We subsidize low-paying employers.

IMO it really isn't worth any adult's time to work for $7.25 per hour unless they are desperately trying to find another job. Otherwise, it becomes a trap.