A 16-18 year old you have to watch like a hawk flipping burgers because they have little work ethic yet isn’t worth $22/hour. That’s crazy.
Progressives just lack any meaningful grasp on what “value” and “money” is. Food/clothing/shelter/care doesn’t just happen, and nobody is entitled to “enough” of it just because they showed up for work.
Force minwage to $15/hr (and thus pushing up other wages for work clearly worth more) and all prices will shift accordingly. Doesn’t matter number of $/hr is imposed by fiat, a gallon of gas will generally cost about 20 minutes of the station clerk’s time & effort.