I think this entire topic is amazing. I am currently a state worker and still qualify for assistance in many departments. If we get a paycut to Federal minimum wage, I will be able to go into my local county office and collect Welfare. So instead of working to scrape by (that's what I do now) I will be taking money from the county to help provide for my family. You speak of people that are low-income, and make $8-$14 per hour, funny that my pay is in that range, and I am required to pay into other funds out of my earned paycheck. So yes Meg lower my pay, then I can count on other funds that are added to other tax payers to provide for my lifestyle (and let me tell you is not that high class, I too live in low-income housing). Not only will I be working 40 hours per week, but so will someone else......all sarcasim is intended in this statement.