Couple of comments:  First, the gain in compensation depends on the government's estimate of inflation.  In my personal experience with prescription drugs, housing, medical insurance costs, etc., inflation is substantially higher than the government is pronouncing.  The government wins through lower cola's when they pronounce inflation is low.  Also, the current administration wins with articles on wage growth.  Conflict of interest.  Second, the RG appears to have a new liberal editorial writer who believes money grows on trees.  Raise the minimum wage and magically create money.  Sorry, but the money spent on minimum wage comes from all other workers through increased prices for goods and services delivered by the minimum wage workers.