[K C Muffin]

I don't disagree with you, Bubba. Those people work hard and do the very best they can. But the fact still remains that there is a law that tells the employer how much they must pay. That's ridiculous. It doesn't give the small employer any say so in the matter. Look. I may want to hire somebody really badly, but they can't pull as much of a load as the rest for one reason or other. But I can't offer them a job that pays what they're really worth to me. So I don't offer them a job at all. I'm not saying some of these people aren't good people and shouldn't be given a chance, I'm saying that simple economics are going to make me refuse to hire them.

Increasing their minimum wage to $7.25 means that they can pay their own way more with less government assistance that we pay for.

So instead of government assistance that we pay for with our taxes, we put the burden on business owners, who will raise their prices to make up the difference. What I'm telling you is that I want a choice. I want people to see two jobs and two pay scales and make up their mind where they want to work. I think the system will right itself given half a chance.