Minimum Wage

One of the large debates this week while the Senate was in session was over minimum wage. Both democrats and republicans felt that there needed to be an increase but they could not agree on a rate. Democrats wanted minimum wage to raise more than two dollars while republicans wanted to increase it by a little more than a dollar. I think that raising minimum wage is good because it will encourage people to work rather than sitting around and collecting welfare when they could work at a fast-food place and get more money. I do not feel that a two dollar increase is necessary. What about the small businesses? Do you think that the minimum wage should be increased or not? Why? If so, what should the amount be?