US insecurity

Dear Mr. Mystic:

I DO believe that reducing the Federal deficit, and shrinking the overall size of government will help spur job growth. But it must be done in a gradual fashion, so as not to “shock” the economy. Equally as important (if not more so) is that the burden of regulation MUST be reduced in order to allow small, start-up businesses the chance to take root. Gone are the days when you could boot-strap an enterprise on a shoe string. Regulatory compliance has become so complex and costly, that new businesses face an uphill battle as never before. There is little doubt in my mind, that we are suffocating the baby in the crib.

Additionally, reducing and simplifying compliance complexities and costs, will permit existing companies to compete more effectively in a fast-moving, highly competitive global economy. One more point on the topic; Even unintentional violations of some pretty damned obscure regulations, can and does, lead to ruination for many a small business man and woman.

In many ways, we have created a very unfriendly environment for small businesses in this country. Capital moves quickly and easily across borders. Small entrepreneurs, not so much. Their most “sensible” option, often times, is simply to do nothing rather than risk the loss of everything on a failed start-up venture. Meanwhile, the capital (and jobs) move to the new industrial frontiers of Asia.

Small business with over 50 employees are facing ruination due to the new health insurance mandate. I know of a small, charity-based enterprise that trains and employs about 200 handicapped adults. Most of these people would be unable to find employment elsewhere, as the severity of their handicaps are most notable. The management team is facing an almost unsolvable conundrum, as they will be forced to provide health insurance for a group of people who are incapable of generating robust profits for the firm. Because of this socialistic, one-size-fits-all mandate, these hitherto, gainfully employed “impaired” people may all soon become unemployed (and permanently unemployable).

This trend towards “Eurofication” of the US economy must stop…else, in a few short years, our economy will be as pale and anemic as that of “The Old World”