I guess I just figured people here are smart enough to understand that part of the whole "lack of jobs" thing is the fact the city lacks jobs people can actually get hired for and live on.

Implicit in the "lack of jobs" argument is the need to train people for the jobs we do have. And that requires investment beyond the means of your average individual who is struggling from underemployment. That need exists regardless of how much you pay people.

You have to meet people where they are. An overabundance of jobs writing cursive doesn't matter if 99% of the population doesn't know how to write cursive. So train people in how to do that. The problem is, most people can't afford the kinds of training required to do these jobs. And if we're being honest, the argument is more holistic than just "more jobs." It includes the need to get people training and support them while they learn.

And also let's don't pretend that some $15/hour service sector job that puts someone on a bus 4 hours a day in addition to their shift is sufficient and will support someone in this city.