roadrunner your assumption that if you tax small business owners (those making $250,000) then they wont hire and expand their business is dead wrong--i am a small business owner and consumption determines if i hire or expand not if i have to pay an extra 3% in taxes--if an increase in business demands you hire more employees or expand than that is what a smart business man will do to keep his business growing and making more money--if you refuse to meet the increasing demand of your growing business because you have to pay an extra 3% than you'll be outa business and deservingly so