Minimum wage is/below poverty line for many and it doesn't make a difference if that's $7 or $17. More companies that pay their employees above minimum wage is what we really need right now but can't since people would rather save their money rather than spend it to move the economy. Once people start spending more then that money is then turned into profit which will let employers give raises or hire new workers. These increased wages/new workers are then able to earn more money to spend at places like a restaurant down the street. That restaurant is then able to hire more workers and/or increase wages to which they can spend money at different places and the cycle continues. But how do we get people to spend more in an uncertain economy? Well for starters, we can slash and reduce taxes in order for the people to have more money in their pocket to which will make them a bit more comfortable to spend knowing the government won't be taking a chunk out of paychecks that could be used for recreational use. Giving tax breaks to big business and oil corporations will result in the decrease of handing the consumers the cost in the form of decreased retail and gas prices. Lower prices will mean that a person can buy, say, 2 shirts instead of one. Even lower taxes/limited tax exemptions for the the poor and poverty could potentially do wonders It's not really rocket science when one uses plain, common sense.