We are an innovate folk, us progressives, so please excuse me if this idea has been proposed by others before. We think, we write, and sometimes we are either timely or original. If anything I say here is of use to society I care not for recompense but am merely glad that what little talents I have are being put to good use.
Why aren't we taxing Walmart for every penny we pay to support their employees? We should, of course, add the fast food industry and other retailers to this tax -- yet Walmart should carry the name as they have been foremost in promoting the use of government benefits to support their under-compensated employees.
The data is available for state and local governments (not to mention Federal, if we could ever get Congress to act) -- Every single penny spent by taxpayers to support underpaid or underemployed employees could be levied in return as a tax on their employers. Food stamps, welfare, housing, health care, energy assistance, etc.... all of it.
When you employ someone you bear some basic responsibility for their well being. It is not acceptable anymore to both employ someone and leave them wards of the state.