It is due to it being the application of political science. It does not permit failed policies to be continued fruitlessly year after year with idealistic fervour, it is next to impossible for anyone surrounded by fierce libertarian critics to continue clinging on to lies. It is a purely functional machine, lubricated with justice and fueled by free speech.
The only way a minimum income would work is if it would be coordinated with a maximum expense. People on the min wage should be summarily denied alcohol, cigarettes, cell phones, cable TV, nigshoes, and all the other crap that the poor buy in order to continue being poor.
My idea is that if you take the min wage from an employer, you agree to a new ID card that marks you as "POOR", hence you can't buy luxuries by law. Hey, if you don't fucking like that, then don't take the minimum wage, Pal! The law got you that wage; the law can therefore say how you spend it.