I do have a solution for the minimum-wage problem. [If it matters, I do have an M.A. in economics; this proposal is fully developed.] The minimum wage would be $15/hr.; $600/wk., but the wage bill for employers of minimum-pay employees would be zero.

Given that the labor market would be a free market, employers would inevitably be compelled by the market to use benefits to compete for minimum-pay employees. That would simply be the market mechanism at work. Benefits would be negotiated on an individual basis. While the pay would be the same for all minimum-pay employees, benefits would reflect conditions in local labor markets. (By the way, all taxes would be eliminated.)

The proposal is summarized in a “5 min read” here in Medium.