Thinking Small
Living wage laws means considering the larger effects of unemployment and, quite possibly, fewer people participating in the economy and higher welfare expenditures is looking at the small picture.

Thinking Big
Realizing that some of the lowest wage earners will benefit while the people just below them at the bottom rung will slip even further down since they’ll be competing for fewer jobs.

“When you look at when these laws are passed and see whether or not there are wage or employment impacts, we actually do see wage increases with some offsetting employment declines,” said University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor Scott Adams.

A 6 percent employment decline in cities that require a living wage (search), according to the study.
[...]
“They [the laws] don’t work. They don’t help the people that they are intended to help,” said Anthony Archie of the Pacific Research Institute (search). “They’re supposed to help low-skilled workers and they actually crowd them out from getting jobs.”

But supporters of the ordinances find the study’s methodology flawed. Instead of using city-wide data, as this report does, a more accurate barometer would be to examine just those workers affected by the laws, they say.

Doing so would show a silver lining in what they call “the bigger picture.”

This is introducing a whole new way of thinking--a whole new way of looking at the big-little divide.

Uses in Other Areas

1. “But, Mr. Race Car Driver, if you look at the big picture, the smaller engine is better because it will save you a ton on gas.” Although you probably won’t win the race.
2. “But if you look at the big picture, the smaller picture on the smaller TV will ensure that none of your friends bothers you on Super Bowl Sunday.” Although your chances of seeing the details of the wardrobe malfunctions decreases dramatically.
3. “This way, with your smaller house, the people down the street won’t envy your bigger home.” Although your own sense of envy might be somewhat heightened.
4. “Baby, but if you look at the big picture, a small penis is actually better because it’s, ummm...yeah, I got nothing.”

Here’s the idea: the best way to create a better job market with better paying jobs is to get out of the way and let the economy grow. Artificially raising wages just ensures that fewer people get to come out into the workforce and play.

Apparently, though, that’s not looking at the “bigger picture.”