“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 […]
Chief Justice John Roberts surprised the planet by effectively siding with the Supreme Court’s four liberal activists in upholding most of ObamaCare as constitutional. In a stunningly convoluted and contradictory majority opinion, Roberts said the ObamaCare individual mandate — that everyone must have or purchase health insurance coverage, or if not, face penalties — was […]
At least that seems to be the campaign slogan for Colorado. Did you catch President Barack Obama’s latest campaign stopover in Colorado Springs last week? It would be difficult not to, what with all of the hype, promises and rhetoric that raged across the foothills of Colorado with more ferociousness than the fires themselves. In […]
The way Jack Hays explains it, it sounds so simple managing the companies he’s launched in Western Colorado. It’s just a matter of identifying and exploiting opportunities for growth. Hays puts it this way: “We find a need and fill it. We provide solutions.” Any good entrepreneur like Hays will attribute success in large part […]
It takes a lot of courage to start a small business. It takes even more courage to stick with it during tough times like these when the nation’s financial structure is wobbling, uncertainty fills the air and even the basic principles of free enterprise are questioned by anti-business politicians. Although the sinking economy has threatened […]