You’re assuming that it’s my responsibility to directly pay these people’s wages.

It’s part of the current cost structure if you choose to go out and have your meal made for you and served to you. Don’t like it, don’t eat there. Simple as.

is tantamount to saying “let these people find better jobs that don’t rely on tips to make a somewhat livable wage.”

No, it’s literally saying let bad business die and better businesses replace them. The rest is your bullshit spin so you can feel better about fucking over wait staff.