Skip, the problem with increasing EITC and other tax credits for low-income earners is that those funds are a direct subsidy from general tax funds.  The comparative benefit of the minimum wage approach is that supporting the incomes of these workers is shared among all sectors of the economy -- private, nonprofit, and government.  You're right about minority unemployment, but that's an issue that can and should be addressed separately.  Right now, the American brand of capitalism is failing those workers and we need a strategy for improving their educational and skill-development opportunities so they can compete for jobs and contribute their improved productivity to generate economic growth.  The minimum wage proposals at least phase in over a number of years, so that if better mechanisms can be developed in the meantime we can start using them also, or instead of, further MW increases.  At least this way, we're making a down payment on helping these workers.