Don't think you won't be happy in another job. You can be happy and make more money. Just have to put some pressure on your employer to give you more.
I spent a lifetime playing the "happy in another job" game. Changed careers, went back to college, got a degree. I don't need more money. I'm happy with what I got.
Also being anti-wage inflation isn't good politics either. It sounds like Republicans want people to be paid $8/hr and be grateful for it. That's nonsense. Never be content, always go find a better job, always screw over your employer when you have the chance because they won't think twice about screwing you when the time comes.
Republicans have NEVER suggested people should be paid $8 an hour and be grateful for it. Obviously, nurses, doctors, engineers, etc are not paid $8 an hour. What Republicans have a problem with is idiots whose skills are not WORTH more then 8 an hour getting more because government forces the business to pay more. That only causes idiots not to get hired, or get laid off. I have ZERO problem with a stupid worker applying himself/herself, working harder, going back to school and EARNING more. But some idiot who shows up late, is lazy on the job, bitches all the time, that person is not WORTH a penny more than what the government now forces the employer to pay.