You have it backwards
Look at the pdf link TB provided and go to page 12. Now look at which years had the lowest people at the minimum wage rate.
Republicans want the poor to get better jobs, off welfare and government assistance so they will pay taxes and make the government smaller. It makes the people and the country healthier. The democrats want people to rely on the government as is evident in today's economy. The current historic gap between the rich and middle class is not the results of republican policies.