"Economic stupidity" is forcing taxpayers to underwrite the labour costs of low wage employers.

Junk food pedlars profit from this and also cause in increase in taxpayer funded health care when their food is consumed regularly.

Raise the minimum wage, tax the product to offset increased health care costs, and be done with it.

Automation will displace workers whenever the cost drops below that of labour and this will happen as quickly as technology and consumer acceptance allows.