White House economic adviser Gene Sperling argues that the CBO report on a minimum wage increase killing jobs is actually good news. People know it will lift many workers out of poverty, he says, “But they also know what it’s like to see a friend, a neighbor, where one spouse goes back to work, who would prefer maybe not to work. Maybe they’re working part-time just to supplement the family’s income. And they think, if that family member is making that sacrifice – spending less time with the child – then they should be making a decent living or be able to work less because they’re getting a decent wage.” Increasing the minimum wage will indeed “help” people work less, but in our humble shop the White House spin doesn’t work.