[DoodleDawg]

The question could be fairer put as: would they welcome a lower welfare bill, less social problems with the unemployed, and a higher average salary, even though the price of “cheap junk” would be more? What if this ended up a wash or better?

Never mind the "higher average salary" fantasy, how would you guarantee lower welfare, fewer social problems, etc. in such a way as to show benefit to the consumers who see their costs go up?

[HiTech RedNeck]

It is a do-the-math situation. And you beg the question by calling it a fantasy. It is a fantasy in the way that your household budget is a fantasy.