A $15 national minimum wage doesn't look economically sound to me

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61. your post actually has nothing to do with the minimum wage per se

it has more to do with whether or not we want a single currency and uniformity across the nation. there are numerous things in the federal law for which you could make similar arguments, from social security benefits to tax rates.

it would arguably be more economically efficient (in theory, at least) to have many currencies within the u.s. each state could have its own currency, as in fact they once did. economist sometimes note that we actually do have multiple currencies, one per federal reserve bank, each putting its own identifier on their own currency -- it's just that we all agree to peg the exchange rate at $1=$1.

we could, however, let each state or region or district float on its own currency, and in theory this would work wonder economically. the richer areas would no longer have to artificially subsidize the poorer areas; instead, the poorer area's currency would automatically devalue in the market, achieving the same effect exactly when and to the extent the market deemed it appropriate. this makes exports from the poorer area more attractive, supporting their economy, etc.

however, there is obviously a hassle involved in maintaining multiple currency, and it a barrier to movement and commerce -- people and businesses are more likely to stay within their own currency region to avoid having to convert currencies all the time as there is expense and hassle involved.

we decided many years ago to have a single country with a single currency and mostly uniform laws at the federal level. this helps keep the united states united, helps us feel like we're all in the same economy, all in the same boat, and it's easy to move across the country and do business across the country.


separately, even if your assertion were correct about a $15 level being too high in some places right now, this is taking the short view. it's not like the minimum wage level gets adjusted every few weeks. it's been years six since the last adjustment went into effect. six years from the time a $15 level goes into effect, it's likely to be too low in most places.

finally, hell, even if you're completely right, the main consequence is that poor workers get a win at the expense of industry. isn't it about time they got a win?