Though it does seem odd that progressives in states like California lean heavily on higher taxes as a way to curb, for example, fuel consumption.  Could it be that the left actually does understand the basic economics of the minimum wage debate but don't find the math behind it to be particularly "politically expedient" in certain instances?

Despite the motives behind it, one thing is certain, the calls for a federal minimum wage hike are growing louder.  Hillary recently endorsed a federal minimum wage hike and Bernie has proposed the "Pay Workers a Living Wage Act" in the Senate that proposes mandating a federal $15 minimum wage to be phased in over just 4 years (see "Dear Hillbama, $15 Federal Minimum Wage Equals 7 Million Job Losses").  Perhaps Bernie forgets that not everyone lives in extremely expensive cities like New York and San Francisco.

To be sure, the U.S. is not the only place where basic economics are ignored.  Sayuri Shiraiof of the Asian Development Bank said just today that "the only solution to consumption growth is wage hikes."  We also recently reported on comments from Kozo Yamamoto, Japan's new minister in charge of regional revitalization, who said, "I think it might be necessary to encourage a discussion throughout all ministries about a wage target policy" (see our post entiteled "Japan Proposes "Wage Controls" As Abenomics' Desperation Measure").