Raise minimum wage so that its proportionate with the cost of living.

The cost of living has increased substantially over the last several years. People who work in fast-food, retail, and other low wage industries are unable to afford essential needs such as transportation, housing, and even food. Workers in states where unions are non-existent are most affected. If low wage workers could afford essential needs then they wouldn't need as much federal aid. It would decrease the amount of tax funding that some social programs need. For example, the vast majority of the children of Wal-Mart employees in Georgia receive healthcare through Peachcare. If Wal-Mart employees made enough to pay for healthcare out of pocket, then it would be less of a burden for taxpayers. $12,000 a year isn't enough for someone to live off of. Let's make these jobs worth having again