…we have to confront the evidence TOGETHER that the American economic model is broken. And we have to take MANY actions to fix it. It’s time to own our grown-up responsibilities and do our civic chores.

Our Spring Cleaning list is long, including tax reform, immigration reform, implementation of the JOBS Act (had to sneak that one in – my unabashed small-business/entrepreneur bias), financial reform, campaign finance reform… reform, reform, reform.

But first, let’s put a floor under our socio-economic disintegration and free-fall and raise the minimum wage. Let’s appreciate and reward the effort of our lowest paid compatriots. More importantly, lets help them to support their families themselves, with dignity.

When I think about the concept of income inequality (which I think I would prefer had instead been branded “income inequity”), for me it boils down to this (with thanks to my wife for bringing it up again and again over the years while I found my true north): I don’t believe anyone earns a million dollars a year (let alone multiples of that).

Overcompensating leaders disrespects all the help they get in support of their efforts. My 23 years in the restaurant business – 30 years in foodservice overall – gave me decades of experience working with those who support leadership and are not compensated nearly enough for their immense efforts and absolutely crucial contributions.

I know it’s complicated, but we could – we should – choose to make it simple: We’re all in this together. We all struggle at various times through life. And we’re all going to die. Let’s make those aspects of life we can control a little gentler, a little fairer, a little easier, a little more compassionate and humane. To begin on that path, let’s raise the minimum wage. Immediately.

For more grist on this subject, here’s an excellent piece from this past Sunday’s New York Times: “Low Wage Workers Are Finding Poverty Harder to Escape”