Something tells me that most of the people asking for a $15 minimum wage do not understand the Economics behind it.
If they did, they would realize that there is a good chance that they'll lose their job and see their grocery bills go up 20% practically overnight.
Maybe if the min. wage jumped immediately to $15/hr, but that's not what's being proposed, is it?
Honestly, if the min. wage increases had kept pace with productivity and inflation in this country since 1968, it'd be at a tad over $16/hr....and give the same buying power as min. wage gave in 1968.
But instead the min. wage has languished since '68, causing diminished buying power for the unfortunate at the lowest rungs of the economic ladder. Remember, not everyone can or should go to college to be an IT specialist, MD, engineer, etc. Who'd work manufacturing, dig/pave roads, serve you lunch, clean offices at night?
And as for massive unemployment and massive price increases....didn't happen before when min. wage was increased, so why would it now? In fact, while there probably would be some unemployment increases, there'd probably be more employment from increased economic activity from the increased spending the lowest economic rungs would pump into the economy.
And it'd also remove many from having to supplement with various welfare programs.