Yes, it is time to increase the minimum wage. The wage has sat at $7.25 an hour since its last increase in 2009 from $6.55.

While it’s time to give the lowest-paid a raise, we share the feeling of millions of Americans that $15 as the new minimum would be too high.

Looking at past increases in a chart from the U.S. Department of Labor, we see that following World War II, raises have been somewhat regular, with increases in 27 of the 64 years between 1945 and 2009, including several spans where America’s minimum wage inched up annually.

Since then, nothing.

We hope that Congress can find some common ground for phased increases to levels that lift workers while not sinking small businesses. A rising tide can lift all boats, and the minimum wage is the thinnest of lifelines that we can throw to those struggling in stormy economic waters.
...