Profit or Social Improvement

I was in a clothing store lately trying to find a simple business like blouse to go with some black pants. Most of my clothes are in storage and are far away. It isn’t easy finding something that fits now. I have one waist that is higher than the other and one buttock that is non-existent. Now that I have gained some weight there is a midriff bulge that shows through anything that clings to me.
I did manage to find a crisp white cotton blouse that I don’t have to tuck in for $9.99 at Ross. There was a large line of people and only two women at the cashier station. I surveyed the situation and wondered if I could stand that long. I thought I would go for it and I stood patiently and watched as the tension in the lines got stronger and the pain in my leg got stronger. I tried to balance on one leg for some relief -trying not to think about just leaving. It reminded me of the many times when sitting in meditation retreats for so long, the discomfort with just being present becomes almost too much to bear– but you stay. And so I stayed.
As I drew closer to the cashier, she stopped and asked a group of women by the door if she could see their receipt before they left. The women looked shocked and indignant and said they already showed their receipt (which they did not). Then they bolted through the door with the goods. The two cashiers looked helplessly at each other as they couldn’t leave the cash registers and two long lines of people watched as these women took advantage of the situation in order to steal.
This was a common tactic in Noe Valley where I used to live. A group of young adults would enter a store and one would cause a scene to distract the business owner while the others grabbed as much as they could and ran out with it.
Everywhere I go there seems to be a shortage of workers— restaurants, retailers, cafes, etc.
Most of these places pay minimum wage. But minimum wage isn’t good enough to live in the Bay Area or most of America. This makes a lot of businesses vulnerable to theft. I am glad that after 10 years of no increases, the minimum wage was raised to $7.25. It’s a start. Will that hurt the profits of Ross, Starbucks, etc.? You bet it will. But will it help the millions of Americans that can’t make ends meet on minimum wage- You can bet it will.
According to the most recent survey on hunger and homelessness conducted by the United States Conference of Mayors, 40% of adults requesting emergency food assistance were employed.
Which is more important? Profit or Social improvement.