Pat opines:

Upping the minimum wage has a negative impact on the economy by putting unnecessary constraints on business's bottom line.

Pat,

These same lame arguments were used by friends of big business against child-labor laws, union organizing, workplace safety regulations, the 5-day work week, environmental laws, mandatory health insurance, etc. etc., and yet our economy has consistently been strong, and the work force productive. There's more to an economy than building shareholder wealth, and increasing business ROI (return on investment). What would Jesus do, Pat? Me thinks he'd be on the side of workers' rights, and not in the board room, or do you really not give a shit about WWJD?