Political Quotes

“I rise in opposition to the effort to mandate a raise of the minimum wage because I think this effort, although it appears to be well-intended, ignores what I refer to as the victims of minimum wage folly. In my subcommittee, we held hearings last week in which we heard from experts, economists and real people who will be living with this law. Let me introduce you to two of the victims of this minimum wage folly. One of them is a woman named Melody Rane and her family. They have a family-owned Burger King in Eureka, CA. She will have to let off four full-time workers and eight part-time workers if we mandate an increase in the minimum wage. Most of her workers do not stay on minimum wage. They come in untrained. They start at minimum wage. And within 6 months are making much, much more than minimum wage. But because of our mandate, she will have to reduce her employment, have fewer opportunities for some of the most vulnerable members of our society. A second such person is at the far end, his name is Don Baisch. Don is pictured with his daughter Maya. Three years ago Don was on welfare. He did not have a job. Melody gave him his first job at her Burger King. He started out on minimum wage. Now 3 years later, Don is a working dad, supporting his daughter Maya as a manager in Melody's store.”