You guys like to beat up on perch

[westvirginia]

 

By an eight-to-one margin, small business owners say that Washington’s policies and regulations these days are more likely to hurt than help. This view is consistent across-the-board. Democrats, independents, women and minority small business owners all agree with this assessment of Congress.

 

Similarly, when asked whether government is doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals, or whether government should do more to help solve problems, by two-to-one, business said government is trying to do too many things better left to the private sector rather than too few things.

 

The public has been divided on this issue recently – but small business owners are clear.

 

“I have such a major distrust for government at this point,” lamented one small business owner in Florida. “I never was this skeptical in my whole life…There’s no accountability. They just say it to get elected and then they forget about it.”

[Perchoutofwater]

Honestly I'm surprised it isn't even a higher percentage. Due to working with so many trade contractors, I personally know about 50 small business owners give or take a few. I don't know anyone that owns a business that is happy with what Washington has done in the last two years. Of course that is anecdotal so I'm sure those that don't want to hear it will dismiss it as such.

[Jimmy Neutron]

Big business isn't too happy either. That's bad news for people still looking for work, including my wife...

[cre8tiff]

Does this mean we can't continue to beat up on Perch?

[westvirginia]

Does this mean we can't continue to beat up on Perch?

 

Oh no, perch sticks his nose right in the fray so I'm sure he'd expect nothing less. I'm just saying for the boy princess and all the other whiners who have no idea what it takes to actually run a business - perch is not unique in his opinions of the obamessiah with respect to business matters.

 

By all means, cr8tin, flail away!

[SEC=UGA]

Oh no, perch sticks his nose right in the fray so I'm sure he'd expect nothing less. I'm just saying for the boy princess and all the other whiners who have no idea what it takes to actually run a business - perch is not unique in his opinions of the obamessiah with respect to business matters.

 

By all means, cr8tin, flail away!

 

Don't encourage him

[cre8tiff]

Don't encourage him

 

You hurt my widdle feelings...

[SEC=UGA]

You hurt my widdle feelings...

 

Sorry

[westvirginia]

Oh, and this would seem to bolster those who hold the opinion that those in the white house currently are in over their heads.

[bushwacked]

By an eight-to-one margin, small business owners who had their business handed down from their dad say that Washington’s policies and regulations these days make them a victim.

 

Interesting.

Edited September 28, 2010 by bushwacked

[bpwallace49]

Obama signs small business bill into law

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama signed a $30 billion small business lending bill into law on Monday, claiming a victory on economic policy for his fellow Democrats ahead of November congressional elections.

 

The law sets up a lending fund for small businesses and includes an additional $12 billion in tax breaks for small companies.

 

"It was critical that we cut taxes and make more loans available to entrepreneurs," Obama said in remarks at the White House. "So today after a long and tough fight, I am signing a small business jobs bill that does exactly that."

 

Obama is trying to show voters, who are unhappy about 9.6 percent unemployment, that he and his party are doing everything they can to boost the tepid U.S. economy.

 

Democrats said they backed the bill because small businesses had trouble getting loans after the financial crisis that began in December 2007. They estimate the incentives could provide up to $300 billion in new small business credit in the coming years and create 500,000 new jobs.

 

Republicans characterized the bill as a smaller version of the unpopular Wall Street bank rescue effort and blocked it in the Senate for weeks until two retiring Republicans broke ranks and voted to end blocking maneuvers.

 

Republicans are expected to make big gains in the November 2 elections and hope to win majorities in one or both houses of Congress.

 

Obama criticized the opposition party for fighting the bill and thanked the two Republicans, George Voinovich and George LeMieux, whose support allowed it to get through the Senate.

 

He said the measures would have fast-acting effects on the small business community, which both political parties are courting in an effort to boost jobs.

 

"It's going to speed relief to small businesses across the country right away," Obama said. "We've got to keep moving forward. That's why I fought so hard to pass this bill, and that's why I'm going to continue to do everything in my power to help small businesses open up and hire and expand."

 

 

Caaaaaan you feeeeeeel the loooove toniiiight.

 

The hatred of small business is blinding . . . oh wait.

[detlef]

Here's the issue I have with this poll, it's that small business owners likely know as little about the world outside their business as people outside it know their business. Everyone's go-to is, "what is in it for me". Well, you know what's in it for me? No health codes, no labor laws, no laws regarding who I can and can't sell booze to, etc. I mean, why should someone tell me how best to run my business, right? But that doesn't mean that should be the way we do things. You wouldn't believe how many times I've talked to guys who were complaining about "random" codes that had no idea there was a rational and solid reason why things were the way they were. Problem is, a guy spends all day convincing himself something is stupid, so you're not going to get him back to zero by taking a minute to explain to him it's not. The best you get is, "Well, that may be, but the codes still suck." So, there's at least one of your eight.

 

Perch is a fine example. He always plays the, "I know what's up because I'm the guy on the front lines of this whole mess." And then he says things like, "If some new bonds don't pass, I'll be in a world of hurt." Well, Perch? Which is it? Do you want Big Brother reaching into our pockets or not? Or do you simply want them reaching into our pockets only if they buy things from you? That's the thing, Perch wants what is good for Perch. And there's nothing wrong with that, as long as he doesn't assume that automatically is also best for everyone.

 

I'm curious what the numbers typically are in terms of small businessmen who think government should back off? I bet it's always about 2/3 or so, regardless of who is in office.

[bushwacked]

Here's the issue I have with this poll, it's that small business owners likely know as little about the world outside their business as people outside it know their business. Everyone's go-to is, "what is in it for me". Well, you know what's in it for me? No health codes, no labor laws, no laws regarding who I can and can't sell booze to, etc. I mean, why should someone tell me how best to run my business, right? But that doesn't mean that should be the way we do things. You wouldn't believe how many times I've talked to guys who were complaining about "random" codes that had no idea there was a rational and solid reason why things were the way they were. Problem is, a guy spends all day convincing himself something is stupid, so you're not going to get him back to zero by taking a minute to explain to him it's not. The best you get is, "Well, that may be, but the codes still suck." So, there's at least one of your eight.

 

Perch is a fine example. He always plays the, "I know what's up because I'm the guy on the front lines of this whole mess." And then he says things like, "If some new bonds don't pass, I'll be in a world of hurt." Well, Perch? Which is it? Do you want Big Brother reaching into our pockets or not? Or do you simply want them reaching into our pockets only if they buy things from you? That's the thing, Perch wants what is good for Perch. And there's nothing wrong with that, as long as he doesn't assume that automatically is also best for everyone.

 

I'm curious what the numbers typically are in terms of small businessmen who think government should back off? I bet it's always about 2/3 or so, regardless of who is in office.

 

Exactly, a new poll finds business owners don't like regulations. Wow, what a shocking development and a rather lame ZOBAMA thread.

[bpwallace49]

Exactly, a new poll finds business owners don't like regulations. Wow, what a shocking development and a rather lame ZOBAMA thread.

 

Exactly . . but that it to be expected from WV . . .

[Ursa Majoris]

No health codes, no labor laws, no laws regarding who I can and can't sell booze to, etc. I mean, why should someone tell me how best to run my business, right? But that doesn't mean that should be the way we do things. You wouldn't believe how many times I've talked to guys who were complaining about "random" codes that had no idea there was a rational and solid reason why things were the way they were. Problem is, a guy spends all day convincing himself something is stupid, so you're not going to get him back to zero by taking a minute to explain to him it's not. The best you get is, "Well, that may be, but the codes still suck." So, there's at least one of your eight.

I had my roof replaced a couple weeks back and the company sales guy I was talking to starting bitching about the EPA and the rules they put in place. The company I used had a great track record and did a great job too. They care a lot about their reputation, which is why I used them.

 

I simply asked the sales guy if all roofing companies were as environmentally responsible as his. "No, of course not", he said. "Well then", quoth I, "that is why there are EPA rules".

 

End of conversation.

[Azazello1313]

Here's the issue I have with this poll, it's that small business owners likely know as little about the world outside their business as people outside it know their business.

 

well here we're coming to the crux of the matter, but you need to focus on both sides of what you said. small business owners are focused on their small business. they know what outside influences help, which ones hurt. they aren't trying to come up with some grand plan to run the entire economy, they just to focus on their little slice of the pie.

 

on the other side of the spectrum are the planners and experts in washington. they know squat about your small business, they just look at the "big picture" and think they can best manage the whole thing from DC.

 

so the question is, which of the two do we want to give more power if we want the economy to do well? each of us has our own ideas on that obviously. this essay gives a pretty good argument for where I come down on that question.

[bpwallace49]

well here we're coming to the crux of the matter, but you need to focus on both sides of what you said. small business owners are focused on their small business. they know what outside influences help, which ones hurt. they aren't trying to come up with some grand plan to run the entire economy, they just to focus on their little slice of the pie.

 

on the other side of the spectrum are the planners and experts in washington. they know squat about your small business, they just look at the "big picture" and think they can best manage the whole thing from DC.

 

so the question is, which of the two do we want to give more power if we want the economy to do well? each of us has our own ideas on that obviously. this essay gives a pretty good argument for where I come down on that question.

 

I can agree with this . . . It is frustrating to see the fed gubmnet swoop in to try and right the wrongs of the "supposed" experts in their fields. It would be nice if the "experts" didnt screw things up to the point of having populist rage for "someone to do something" and then the gubmnet clumsily tries to fix it.

 

I wish there was a clear cut answer. Completely unregulated markets sure isnt the answer, and it seems like the current battle cry is everytime the gubment DOES do something they are somehow creating a crushing burden on businesses. .

[polksalet]

As a REALLY small business owner I feel that every politician of both major parties is out to get us. I just don't understand why I have to pay my rapidly diminishing earnings to prop up union people and buy crack heads some shoonce.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Secession_Movement

[Perchoutofwater]

Here's the issue I have with this poll, it's that small business owners likely know as little about the world outside their business as people outside it know their business. Everyone's go-to is, "what is in it for me". Well, you know what's in it for me? No health codes, no labor laws, no laws regarding who I can and can't sell booze to, etc. I mean, why should someone tell me how best to run my business, right? But that doesn't mean that should be the way we do things. You wouldn't believe how many times I've talked to guys who were complaining about "random" codes that had no idea there was a rational and solid reason why things were the way they were. Problem is, a guy spends all day convincing himself something is stupid, so you're not going to get him back to zero by taking a minute to explain to him it's not. The best you get is, "Well, that may be, but the codes still suck." So, there's at least one of your eight.

 

I've never advocated no regulation. What I advocate is common sense regulation that doesn't take a lawyer, a specialist and three other people to interpret. Have you got a copy of the OSHA code? I've got a full time safety guy working for me (BTW I'm the only contractor between Dallas and Shreveport that does), and frankly he doesn't know what all is in it, because it is so cumbersome, and as soon as you learn it, they go and change it. At some point we need to cut back the regulation and bring back common sense. I could list about 20 OSHA regulations that make no sense at all and another 10 or so that are impossible to comply with. We need those that recklessly endanger others punished, but we don't need to punish whole industries because of the recklessness of a few.

 

 

Perch is a fine example. He always plays the, "I know what's up because I'm the guy on the front lines of this whole mess." And then he says things like, "If some new bonds don't pass, I'll be in a world of hurt." Well, Perch? Which is it? Do you want Big Brother reaching into our pockets or not? Or do you simply want them reaching into our pockets only if they buy things from you? That's the thing, Perch wants what is good for Perch. And there's nothing wrong with that, as long as he doesn't assume that automatically is also best for everyone.

 

Well, if the government would get out of education business, and let the private sector take over I wouldn't give a rats ass if another bond ever passed. I'd much rather work for private businesses than the government including school districts because private businesses are much easier to deal with. There is less paperwork and less hassle all the way around. The problem is the government still has a pretty good monopoly on education, and if Obama has his way they will have a monopoly on health care eventually as well (he's stated as much prior to being elected). Unfortunately due to population growth as well as aging baby boomers, education and health care are typically the fastest growing sectors in the construction business.

[Perchoutofwater]

Caaaaaan you feeeeeeel the loooove toniiiight.

 

The hatred of small business is blinding . . . oh wait.

 

The government needs to drastically redefine what makes up a small business, and get away from counting employees and revenue as the sole definition. It needs to start taking into consideration profits as well. If you asked most people in my area, they would tell you that I am a small business owner, but I'm not based on what the government considers a small business owner, and neither is any commercial contractor or trade contractor due to the cost of the materials going into buildings. I can't speak for other industries, but I'm sure if given enough thought we could come up with several others that the average Joe would consider a small business, but due to the cost of the products they peddle or the labor requirements in making it, they fall outside of what the government considers small business.

 

I haven't read the bill, so I don't know if I support it or oppose it, but someone is going to have to pay for it, and more than likely it will just be other "small business" owners paying for it, sometime in the future. I'd much rather see across the board spending cuts throughout government or even across the board tax cuts than I would target tax credits. Obviously given our current national debt the across the board spending cuts would be my first choice with a full extension of the Bush tax cuts with a sunset provision linked to unemployment being my second choice.

[detlef]

well here we're coming to the crux of the matter, but you need to focus on both sides of what you said. small business owners are focused on their small business. they know what outside influences help, which ones hurt. they aren't trying to come up with some grand plan to run the entire economy, they just to focus on their little slice of the pie.

 

on the other side of the spectrum are the planners and experts in washington. they know squat about your small business, they just look at the "big picture" and think they can best manage the whole thing from DC.

 

so the question is, which of the two do we want to give more power if we want the economy to do well? each of us has our own ideas on that obviously. this essay gives a pretty good argument for where I come down on that question.

I do not intend to imply that the government knows all, nor that they don't get into things they shouldn't. My issue is simply this; that as long as I have been in business, I've been hearing dudes complain about government breathing down their necks. Sometimes, the complaint is totally legit. Red tape is red tape and it often sucks. But it sucked under Bush, and Clinton, and Bush I, and probably freaking Eisenhower.

 

So, my point is simply that I take it with a grain of salt that 80% of small business owners think the government does too much because I wonder how many of them think anything is too much. And, considering that I know more than a few who fit that category...

[Azazello1313]

I do not intend to imply that the government knows all, nor that they don't get into things they shouldn't. My issue is simply this; that as long as I have been in business, I've been hearing dudes complain about government breathing down their necks. Sometimes, the complaint is totally legit. Red tape is red tape and it often sucks. But it sucked under Bush, and Clinton, and Bush I, and probably freaking Eisenhower.

 

So, my point is simply that I take it with a grain of salt that 80% of small business owners think the government does too much because I wonder how many of them think anything is too much. And, considering that I know more than a few who fit that category...

 

well, I guess that's why most small business owners are in favor of less government and why, faced with the choice of the two, they tend to prefer republican candidates over democrats. maybe they're irrational and stupid, maybe they aren't. but somehow, politicians of both parties are always trying to find ways to blow smoke up their butt and show how much they luuuuuuvvv small business, perhaps because they realize on some level that is a key component of the economy.

[Ursa Majoris]

well, I guess that's why most small business owners are in favor of less government and why, faced with the choice of the two, they tend to prefer republican candidates over democrats. maybe they're irrational and stupid, maybe they aren't. but somehow, politicians of both parties are always trying to find ways to blow smoke up their butt and show how much they luuuuuuvvv small business, perhaps because they realize on some level that is a key component of the economy.

How much of this frustration is with the economy in general, with the government just acting as a handy pinata or bete de jour?

[Clubfoothead]

By an 8-1 margin I don't give a crap what tax cheats think. Unduly burdensome to track expenses in excess of $600.00 my a$$.

[Perchoutofwater]

Unduly burdensome to track expenses in excess of $600.00 my a$$.

 

For some businesses like law firms I doubt it will be burdensome at all. For other businesses like construction companies, it will be a major PIA. I'm guessing most businesses will fall somewhere in between making it a minor PIA.