Comments on: Who truly speaks for small businesses?

By: ArtAsInquiry

ArtAsInquiry — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:47:05 +0000

As a former small business owner of two separate businesses, I believe the anti-Obamacare rhetoric is political and not in the service of small business.

I tried to hire as many part time employees as possible to avoid paying health insurance premiums. And when I had to hire full time, I prayed they’d never use the insurance. I am not kidding or being cute here. If they did, I knew my rates would go through the roof and I might have to drop the policy altogether. Then how would I insure MY family?

I would LOVE a 35% tax credit on premium $ I spent. And, I’d be counting the days until the small business marketplaces, SHOP, came in 2014. Small business will have the clout of large businesses in buying power with insurance companies. And no more pre-existing condition torture.

If small business are against Obamacare, they are listening to talk radio hate speech. The law brings RELIEF!

By: ArtAsInquiry

ArtAsInquiry — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:47:01 +0000

As a former small business owner of two separate businesses, I believe the anti-Obamacare rhetoric is political and not in the service of small business.

If small business are against Obamacare, they are listening to talk radio hate speech. The law brings RELIEF!

By: ArtAsInquiry

ArtAsInquiry — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:46:58 +0000

As a former small business owner of two separate businesses, I believe the anti-Obamacare rhetoric is political and not in the service of small business.

If small business are against Obamacare, they are listening to talk radio hate speech. The law brings RELIEF!

By: Bob9999

Bob9999 — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:11:38 +0000

Speaking for “small business” is, in fact, a big business.

By: usagadfly

usagadfly — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:28:56 +0000

“Small business” should not include organizations that have a gross revenue over $10 million or more than 100 employees and contractors combined.

Generally, most small business people, using the above definition, do not think the Republican Party operates in their interests. General Electric is not a “small business” and neither is Bain Capital.

By: LBK2

LBK2 — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:58:38 +0000

For another, the NFIB has a record of lobbying for issues that benefit big businesses, not necessarily small ones. Consider a widespread state tax loophole that lets big-box retailers like Wal-Mart and Home Depot transfer income to out-of-state subsidiaries. This loophole often allows the chain retailers to pay no state income tax, while small businesses do. Yet the NFIB has fought against closing such loopholes.”

I needed to read no further. This says it all.

By: schmetterling

schmetterling — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:41:53 +0000

As a small business owner my health insurance rates have gone up annually without abating. It’s at least thirty percent higher versus two years ago, and only a few of our employee’s that are in general labor positions can afford the co-pay charges. Every penny counts for most folks, and people shouldn’t have to choose between health insurance and food on-the-table. This is waaaaaay past due, and an afront to our fundamental rights for affordable care. I welcome the much needed changes to the helathcare system that Obama has championed, and would say the way he got this to pass was the only way. The Republicans will squander every last penny of our hard-earned money for Wars, and jobs for cronies. They don’t give a damn about you and I and Mitt Romney is the Queen Bee of what’s wrong with Republicans. They represent a class of folks i have no desire to associate with, and will stab you in the back in a heartbeat. It’s time they got the heck out of politics, or better yet, time for another party that’s less radical.

By: CaptnCrunch

CaptnCrunch — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:37:39 +0000

We’re all different, there is no such thing as a “typical small business” or any one or two or three trade groups that can claim to represent or control us…not unless there is unity in cacophony.

My business is a 35 year NFIB member, but they don’t represent us in totality anymore than the NRA represents my personal feelings on guns, and that’s with a benefactor membership.

We’re all different. Gun loving Republican small businessmen can believe that there are lot of good things in Obamacare and that what isn’t good can be choked out like the 1099 reporting provision that was recently rescinded.

We have jabbered about universal health care coverage for 2 generations and nothing got done. Obamacare is a start
and with everyone swimming together in the risk pool, there’s a pretty good chance it will work…or at least work better than our current dysfunctional system.

I don’t regret our NFIB membership though, there are some issues they stand up for small business on.

By: Egladys

Egladys — Tue, 22 May 2012 23:31:14 +0000

Gosh, I’m glad I ran across this article! Small Mom&Pops need sales to improve. My customers are middle class who use HELOC or get signature loans at community banks & credit unions. My customers are struggling so I’m whittling the overhead, so the other mom&pops I do biz with have to whittle – vicious circle. Trying to stay healthy til 2014 when the state insurance exchange starts. Regards, mom

By: AlkalineState

AlkalineState — Tue, 22 May 2012 19:17:22 +0000

Allsolutions, why would anyone be jealous of the GOP? No offense, but most of the republicans I know are on hillbilly-welfare or disability of some sort. Take a drive through the trailer ghettos of Oklahoma some time. Or the meth dirt roads of Tennessee. foxnews is helping to breed an entire generation of brain dead tweekers in middle America. Jealousy is not the term that comes to mind when thinking about today’s GOP.