Several times a year, the indicators tracking various components of the Mesa County economy all seem to come out at once. When that confluence occurs, it only makes sense to take a more thorough look at what the assembled pieces of the puzzle portray and to try to answer the question that invariably arises: What’s […]
America’s small business owners were shocked and angered when the president of the United States recently diminished their sacrifices and contributions to the building of our nation. But few expressed surprise. They realized long ago that President Barack Obama views them merely as funders for his plans to expand federal government. “If you’ve got a […]
Politicians on a bipartisan basis love to talk glowingly about entrepreneurs and the businesses they build and work to grow. Unfortunately, that rhetoric too often hides a fundamental misunderstanding about the process of entrepreneurship or economic risk takers themselves. Those misunderstandings or hostilities usually become evident through policymaking. That is, while saying nice things about […]
I don’t know about you, but I was heartened to see the crowds at Chik-fil-A appreciation day in response to the typical, liberal overreaction to someone who dared say something the left holds sacrosanct. The fact local law enforcement had to be called out to handle all of the traffic should speak loudly to those […]
“I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” That announcement more often serves as the ironic punch line to a joke than a sincere assurance, especially when talking to beleaguered business owners who feel under siege these days by the dual threats of economic and regulatory uncertainty. Nonetheless, there are tantalizing indications from time […]
President Barack Obama’s politically based move to block the extension of crucial, soon-to-expire tax provisions will have very real consequences for small businesses. His decision to increase taxes on all Americans who earn more than $250,000 — small business owners in particular — will affect the very businesses in the best positions to create jobs. […]
There’s a great deal of talk about a “fiscal cliff” in political, policy and media circles these days. It references a combination of tax increases and federal spending “cuts” scheduled to kick in at the start of 2013, resulting in a big hit to the economy. But let’s be clear about the real threat here. […]
Presidential pronouncements notwithstanding, entrepreneurs are more likely to thrive despite the government rather than because of it. Their innovative ideas, unrelenting drive and willingness to take risks have far more to do with bringing new products and services to the marketplace than any government benefaction. That’s not to say, however, that entrepreneurs can take all […]
By the time you read this, I’ll be in the system. By the system I mean, into the dark realm of despair known as airport security, and ruled by, the misleadingly named Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Whether I’m a victim or just a happy fellow traveler will remain to be seen — or at least […]
For too long, America’s small business owners have been deliberately ignored by a federal government that’s elbowed its way into their affairs, essentially becoming an undesirable partner in their operations. Their earnest pleas for affordable health care for their families and employees went unanswered, as did their calls for tax reform and less regulation, red […]