I am a libertarian, and the government has been stepping into private agreements between two parties for centuries. This is nothing new except an industry that's not known for having a voice has organized to try to have one. They are to be commended. They figured it out, bodybuilders haven't. Bodybuilding related.
To me this is not just about McDonalds or the fast food industry, its about minimum wage workers period. And no it would not put unskilled workers out of work. It makes those jobs Americans wouldn't do before that would go to illegals much more valuable to Americans.
Completely disagree
You need to check your facts. Every time there has been a significant increase to the minimum wage there has been a correlating rise in unemployment. This is FACT, please do some research. Also worth noting is that every time minimum wages have been increased in the US resulting in a rise in unemployment there is a disproportionate rise in unemployment in blacks compared to any other group. Also FACT. So the negative effects are concentrated on the groups that these stupid increases are intending to help the most in the first place.
Minimum wage laws are well intentioned no doubt, but don't deliver.
Also, You claim that these mega corporations can afford it, and of course just looking at their profits year after year clearly it seems they could absorb these extra costs with no ill effect, but you're not looking at the big picture. Implementing too higher minimum wages on corporations make them far less competitive, especially corporations where the majority of their workforce are low skilled. These companies make mega profits no doubt, but there are so many other things you are not considering.
These are publicly traded companies, who not only have to compete for the consumers business but also compete in capital markets to attract investors. A company, especially a large one will always require ongoing funding, and there is only so much debt it can take on. Therefore it requires capital investment i.e. me and you buying shares. If you increase minimum wage, it WILL have an effect on the bottom line of a company that has predominately low skilled workers i.e. McDonald's. Why, if i can see profits reducing, a lower return on investment etc would I go and invest my money in that company. Why would investment funds and superannuation funds invest their members money in those companies? they wouldn't. They have now just become less competitive and in turn are losing capital investment. They have less money to expand and grow and in turn they wont be able to deliver a product of the same quality at the same price.
All this being said, you haven't even considered how much harder it would be on small business, let along large corporations to absorb increases in minimum wages.