The Business of America is Business

[Sue Lani Madsen]

I keep seeing that nagging header on this page saying "no discussions yet." Perhaps we haven't started any discussions because, as small business owners, we are all busy building our businesses. That's my excuse, I stay as active as I can but it's hard to do that and be a business owner.

Question: How can we incorporate business owner's perspectives and expertise into the political sphere efficently and effectively?

[Andrea Kosko]

Sue - Thank you for starting this valuable discussion! You're right ... I have been very busy tending to business and fretting over the taxes I'll pay on January 15th. Ours is a small business, successful, to be sure, but small. Our taxes are not small! My accountant keeps saying: "If you weren't making money, you wouldn't have any tax to pay." Not entirely true, but I suppose its just his way of mollifying me.

You ask a compelling question. There are, I think, some Congressmen and Senators who are not professional politicians. For instance, Senator Bob Corker from Tennessee is a businessman by profession. He understands the monumental challenge and great satisfaction of building a business from the ground up. If we can identify and appeal directly to these businessmen/lawmakers, maybe we can make some headway. Also, the NFIB, National Federation of Independent Business, does some great work lobbying Congress on our behalf. It would be worth supporting them by becoming a member. Finally, go to http://reagan2petition.ning.com/ to address the issue of much-needed tax cuts. Sign the petition. I did and felt better knowing I'm making my voice heard.