Below is another graphic that speaks for itself. Not only does paying higher wages improve the US economy and the lives of every citizen, it also makes good business sense.
I have written extensively on wage history and the case for a living wage, wealth distribution in America, our global business competitiveness, the dangers of our growing wealth inequality, and many other issues effecting middle and working class Americans, including and post on class warfare.
In a Labor Day message from former Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, he, ” breaks down what it’ll take for workers to get a fair share in this economy — including big, profitable corporations like McDonald’s and Walmart to pony up and finally pay fair wages.
There is a petition that you can sign if you click on the above link. Please consider it your Labor Day obligation to those who struggled and even died to give you the benefits we still have today.
Data Driven Viewpoints 
I’ve worked for many small businesses over the years, who, when faced with how to spend more money, in order to avoid paying taxes, will always choose a new truck for the owner over basic benefit packages for their employees – I’ve never understood the resistance to providing employee benefits – and have not found anyone to confirm or deny why they are not as good of a write off as a new truck every year…