Living wage depends on were you live, so it differs.
http://livingwage.mit.edu/
By my area I'm doing pretty good for my employees. Now if I was in a city like New York or LA of course I would give ( and could give) that cost of living bump. My argument is the minimum wage is not a living wage.
Now to your question do I lean left.
Guy I used to vote both parties or the best PERSON to do what I believe in. The Republicans have went so fuckin butt fuck crazy that I no longer can do that. I believe in check and balance, two or more parties should give you that...but like I said Republicans have took things to another level that I no longer can risk giving them my vote (certainly not on the national level )
Don't make the mistake of a closed-minded fool in thinking a man can't be conservative at the same time being liberal.