The problem is clear. Most of you in opposition to minimum wage workers in this thread are clearly above the age of 40-50 (are any of you younger?), you're holding todays workforce up to the standard you grew up with when times weren't nearly as tough. When I hear "just do a good job, climb up the ladder and become the boss" I shake my head in astonishment someone could be that simple. Maybe that's how it worked when you were growing up (ironically in the exact same time period I've been talking about this entire thread, 50's-mid 70's), when the rules weren't pitted against your economic class. When times were more equal for everyone, yeah, I might agree with you that that's all it took. I could probably have earned a working wage, bought a new car, put a downpayment on a nice house and went to school on a single persons salary. Today, you can't even do one of those things. Clear difference, how can you deny it? The cost of going to school alone is more than 3,000x's more than it was for you when you went.
I've worked jobs for years without being sick without calling in, being on time every single shift. It simply does not work the way you say it does in todays workforce for minimum wage earners. You are wrong. Accept it or not, I know, I'm the one that's worked it, you haven't.
You people are out of touch with the reality of what todays workforce has to go through just to make ends meet, and I've gotta say, the arguments that have been presented in this thread against American workers only serves to create resentment between generations. The total lack of empathy for fellow working Americans who simply want to not have to worry about living paycheck to paycheck or worry about getting sick is disgusting in America today.
It used to be about increasing the strength of the country as a whole, strengthening the middle class that drives the economy, now, it's "I got mine, fuck you".
I will tell you this.. unless something changes, what do you think is going to happen? Do you think people like me will just accept being homeless or not being able to buy food? I certainly hope you're not that naive.. I'd like to work hard and earn my own way, but if it isn't a possibility when it comes down to it, I have no issue turning to crime to take it, and neither do millions of other Americans.