PatentTroll

This. The problem is that the costs of transportation are externalized to a shipper, and the environmental costs the shipper incurs are externalized to ... future generations? And the cost of the eventual replacement is externalized to the consumer ten years from now. It may be wise for us as a society to find ways to fully account for all costs of products to use market forces to make better decisions for society as a whole, rather than enriching a segment at the expense of another.

Why didn't he make it himself?

It is factually true that capital gains is taxed lower than income in the US.

And being "capable" in the first place is largely due to luck also. What is being "capable?" Intelligence, education, discipline, motivation? Intelligence is largely genetics and your socioeconomic status as a child. Education? Intelligence plus socioeconomic status as a child and young adult. And a fair bit of luck too (i.e., admissions, etc.). Discipline? Parent's socioeconomic status and probably some genetic/psych/environmental influences. Point being, just being capable of being "capable" has much to do with things outside of your control. Most are unaware or dismissive of this. Goes back to the old adage of being born on third base and congratulating yourself for hitting a home run.

I think you just invented the dirigible?

I remember when we used to call them model airplanes.

And what is the value created by labor? Let's split the discussion into service jobs and non-service jobs, as we all know most of these minimum wage positions are service jobs. So, what is the value of one hour of service labor? Whatever someone will pay for it. Which is set by a market of service providers all decreasing their prices to the lowest they can tolerate. Because if you can undercut a competitor, the free market says you will win the business. Which, for the people who make minimum wage, is how little a wage they will accept. Ok, what sets the floor for what people will tolerate to be paid? When looking at the minimum wage sector of the population, what is their bargaining power? What is the bargaining power of the employers? Is it a free market? What other options do the workers have? Is it a voluntary transaction if the alternative is starvation and homelessness?

Or will the prices just increase to account for the higher wage? Isn't that easier?

Your conclusion lies on the assumption that rational economists must oppose any measure which decreases demand.

Or, if no company is willing to pay a living wage to accomplish a task, does it need to be done?

And to the free marketers who point out that companies could voluntarily pay a living wage, you're not wrong! But it exposes the fault in the free market religion. The market, on a whole, will gladly enslave and abuse a small minority for the benefit of the majority.

No, you're telling the customers that their food is subsidized by ultra cheap labor. Of course, higher prices will decrease the number of goods sold, which the free marketers regard as a deadly sin. Rather, when costs are fully internalized, the free market works better! Externalizing costs onto labor by perpetuating a below-living wage is a market distortion held up by government! They should hate it!

Also, as an Amazon shopper, their fulfillment is a known quantity to me. If I buy from your shop with your shipping, I am taking on the risk of potentially longer shipping. And I also have an increased suspicion of fake or knock off goods. So, even if I saw both listings side by side, I'd pay 10% to Amazon for their fulfillment and a perceived lower risk of knock off (despite reading much about Amazon sold knock offs). In fact, I've often bypassed the buy box to buy the same item from amazon at a higher price for these reasons

Dude, that's exactly what taxi commissions are! They certify that taxis conform to some basic standards. I'm not trying to be nice to you because the ideas you are espousing are corrosive and dangerous. I oppose your false ideology completely.