Problem is, most American's idea of a "living wage" differs greatly from what we used consider it. My brother worked in a Kyowa factory, started at $19.50 an hour. He quit, said it wasn't worth the money for the work he did. He worked at an assembly line... Never mind that that's more than I've ever made, and I manage to support a family of four w/ zero assistance from Uncle Sam.
Today people seem to think that if they can't afford cable TV, high speed internet, a new car every 4 years, big 'ol flat screen TV's and a pile of other luxuries then they aren't making a "living wage"...