I understand what you're saying, and agree it's impossible to live on minimum wage in a big chunk of the country. However, tips are already pegged to inflation. If food gets twice as expensive, your 20% also doubles. For folks like Teachers, they might be lucky to get a 1 or 2% cost of living adjustment each year. That's waaaaaaaaaay below inflation, and just falls further and further behind, like the base minimum wage.