How about because we as a society don't think taxpayers should help support McDonalds employees?Why pay some kid $15/hr when he will happily work for $12/hr?
Customers should be paying the full cost of the burger. I don't eat there, yet my taxes are higher because McDonalds doesn't pay a livable amount.
We shouldn't want poor people who barely make a living. A livable wage among the lowest paid will raise wages for those with more skills. A livable wage will encourage those who aren't working because it isn't worth it to maybe get a job. But when they see people working 40-60 hours a week, and barely getting by, they might choose an impoverished life where they don't work regularly over a life where they need to kill themselves to get ahead.and that is a burden on everyone, even if we give them nothing. There will be people who choose to die on the street from hunger or disease if we cut off all aid rather than work at some menial job. Do you want to live in that country?????