> The problem with this type of wealth redistribution is that the poor are often consumers of the same products and services served by min wage jobs. This is one of many reasons I support unconditional basic income. It allows labor to be accurately priced in the market, without raising cost to the poor.

Yes but labor is less than half of the cost for everything. One of the most labor intensive is food [growing -> market -> consumer] and its still not even 50%.

https://www.fmi.org/docs/facts-figures/marketingcosts.pdf?sf... http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/307995/aer780d_1_.pdf

Its 38.5%. The impacts is similar on other areas where the minimum wage laborer is also the minimum wage consumer.

The pay increase still flows ~60% to the people on minimum wage and is the most effective method that is politically feasible. [e.g. Backed by a large portion of a major political party]

Ideally, raising the standard deduction to the poverty level for 1 person as well would be ideal to spread things out more. Of course, you'd need to raise the marginal tax rates [e.g. Money after $11,700/year would be taxed at a higher rate] to do that since it'll cost hundreds of billions otherwise :p [e.g. $6,300 -> $11,700]

http://familiesusa.org/product/federal-poverty-guidelines