> less than 1% of the population make minimum wage. Most companies, even the big ones you hate, pay well above minimum wage. For instance, All of the fast food places in my area pay $10.15/hour starting. The minimum wage is a few dollars less than this. The free market has pushed the wages higher, because nobody will work for less than this.

I don't think so. Not according to this[1]. Besides, close to minimum wage is hardly live-able.

[1] http://poverty.ucdavis.edu/faq/what-are-characteristics-mini...