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Evan
08-14-2008, 10:12 PM
It got your attention didn't it?

Granted we all have different life stories and perspectives on the leadership of our country, small business is inevitably an issue for you. Many believe that regardless of whom is elected, the question won't be "if" taxes will be raised but "when" taxes will be raised.

As small business owners, we are faced with many challenges. Maintaining competitive wages. Offering benefits to employees that don't deplete corporate resources. Skyrocketing costs for health insurance for employees. A weak economy which has caused many small businesses to fail.

So how much does small business issues affect you when you go to the poll? Is that your primary concern as a citizen, or are there larger issues which are of more of a concern.

Feel free to just rant about government otherwise. :)

cbscreative
08-14-2008, 10:48 PM
Wow, you are brave with that title! This is the worst election I have ever seen. None have been perfect, but this is the first time where it is truly a choice for the lesser of two evils. That's my take on it anyway.

I'm not here to rant about gov't, and neither of the canidates has me enthusiastic, but one has me very concerned. Socialism has never worked, it has been proven that it doesn't work, yet we have a sugar daddy that promises that if elected, the gov't will solve our problems for us (at our expense of course).

The "we need change" rhetoric is nothing new. Hitler said that too. Just because things should be done differently, does not mean that any or all change is for the good.

Aaron Hats
08-15-2008, 11:38 AM
There are so many important issues in each election but it usually comes down to one or two that end up making the decision for me. I'm not thrilled with either choice but I'll be going with McCain for the all important life issue.

vangogh
08-15-2008, 11:53 AM
I'll stay away from the political discussion and answer the question about small business.

When I'm at the polls everything is on mind and they all weigh into my decision. However I tend to vote on the larger issues. There might be something that isn't the best for me personally, but if I think it's best for the country as a whole I'll vote for it.

Where my business is concerned I think economic factors have a lot more impact than political factors. I realize one candidate may raise this tax and another may decide to regulate that industry, but overall I think our government plays a much smaller role in the day to day than some would think.

My own success or failure as a business owner is on my shoulders not there's Regardless of who wins this or any November success is still within my control. A few of the rules may change, but I still have the same opportunity within those rules.

Blessed
08-15-2008, 12:14 PM
I'm not excited about this election... I'm still looking over the issues

cbscreative
08-15-2008, 01:32 PM
When I'm at the polls everything is on mind and they all weigh into my decision. However I tend to vote on the larger issues. There might be something that isn't the best for me personally, but if I think it's best for the country as a whole I'll vote for it.
That's where I think you and I, and others like us, are different from the majority of voters. Politics is too often about promising favors instead of what's really best for everyone.

Although I agree that our success is mostly up to us, there are areas where political leaders do have a significant effect. Things like Cap and Trade (which both canidates support) would have significant impact on everyone even if it doesn't effect your individual business, which it's not likely to with either of us.

I prefer that gov't have as much hands off approach to business as possible. With the way they run their own organization, it doesn't make any sense for them to be running private industry.

Politics aside, the founders of our country tried to prevent much of what we have now from ever happening. They sought to put serious limits on the power of gov't in people's lives. Even income tax was clearly unconstitutional until they managed to slip in the 16th Amendment. Think of all the intrusion in our lives from that one alone.

billbenson
08-15-2008, 01:56 PM
As well, its a race of someone with to little experience and someone with to much experience (to old). Vice Presidential candidates could sway things a lot more than usual. First ladies could have a big impact as well as McCain's wife has done a lot in helping charities throughout her life and I haven't seen much good press on Ms Obama. I haven't followed it though.

I'll say this. I'm registered republican because I'm a capitalist. I'm very middle of the road though. I hate the extreme positions both parties take on issues. And I'm tired of the republican party. I thought the democrats had an incredible opportunity to sway republicans to their side in this election with Bush's ratings being what they are by putting someone who is very middle of the road as a candidate. They didn't do that with any of the candidates. They as a party really blew a great opportunity.

Evan
08-15-2008, 10:19 PM
As a young voter -- my first presidential election actually, I'm very excited to vote. It's interesting because despite the liberal tendencies you think of the younger generation, I've found many on both sides. I've been a registered member of both parties to vote in different primaries, but otherwise don't affiliate with a party. [I disaffiliate after I vote.] No single party has the best solutions to all of Americas problems.

With the impressive turnout in the primaries, namely on the Democratic side, it makes me wonder whether that huge surge of energy to vote will carry the Democrats a victory in November. One can only speculate, but I think the fizz of the election was over in June.

The vice presidential choices may be the only thing to revive the energy of the election once both sides choose. But that excitement will probably be short lived.

vangogh
08-15-2008, 11:18 PM
Steve I agree that government can affect business and I certainly have my opinion on what they should and shouldn't do. I guess I'm someone who tries not to complain about what life throws at me and just do what I can to make the best of it. Whatever rules the government sets I'll work within and it's still in my power to succeed. Some of the rules I'll like and others I won't, but it doesn't change the basic premise.

Evan the election will pick up again with the conventions. Each will dominate the news for a week and then you'll start seeing more and more commercials and news right up till election day. Some of it also depends on where you live and whether or not your state is seen as one of the battlegrounds. Certain states will likely vote one way or the other regardless of how much campaigning takes places. You'll see both candidates spending more money in the states that could go either way.

Evan
08-15-2008, 11:27 PM
then you'll start seeing more and more commercials and news right up till election day. Some of it also depends on where you live and whether or not your state is seen as one of the battlegrounds.

Rhode Island's 4 votes make it far from a battleground state. And like many New England states, we're blue. Solidly. But our Democratic side also overwhelmingly went for Hillary, so it'll be interesting to see where the loyalty is. :)

Leatherneck
08-15-2008, 11:35 PM
I agree with alot of your views Bill. I'm not too concerned though with with John McCains age. I felt Ronald Reagan was a good man he he was talked about being too old when he was elected. I consder myself more as a moderate, but Obama is way too liberal for me.

vangogh
08-15-2008, 11:39 PM
You never know. Maybe those 4 votes will be the deciding factor. I'm not sure how many votes Colorado gives, but I know it's not a lot. Maybe 10 or 11.

I've been seeing McCain commercials for about a month now and only recently started seeing Obama commercials. I don't think we're one of the swing states so I don't expect to see a major fight here. I don't even remember seeing commercials for either party during the primaries. A lot more for the statewide elections.

cbscreative
08-16-2008, 10:57 AM
Steve I agree that government can affect business and I certainly have my opinion on what they should and shouldn't do. I guess I'm someone who tries not to complain about what life throws at me and just do what I can to make the best of it. Whatever rules the government sets I'll work within and it's still in my power to succeed. Some of the rules I'll like and others I won't, but it doesn't change the basic premise.
I try not to complain, but I do use the freedom we've been given to speak up. Our voices do still make a difference, so silence will certainly affect public policy, which would mean we are just as much to blame. I've never been heavily active, but lately I've realized increasingly how important it is to stay informed and let others know about it. I can't think of who it was that said this right now (probably come to me later) but, "All it takes for evil to prevail is that good men do nothing."

I think we can always cope with whatever is thrown at us, but it's still important to try to prevent some of what they might otherwise throw at us. There are just too many power hungry people who would love nothing more than for all of us to be hands-off with trying to influence policy. They would rather we're not looking so they can sneak in policies that give them more power. Once they have it, they won't let it go.

vangogh
08-16-2008, 12:22 PM
Good points. Complain probably wasn't the best work on my part either, but I could think of a good one. I agree that we should speak up and use our voices.

I sometimes look over my life and realize that who's been in charge of the country didn't dramatically affect my day to day life in most ways. That doesn't mean they don't affect me, of course.

Take the current situation with gas prices. I'd say our government has been involved in those prices going up. Regardless of whether or not it happened for the right reasons or the wrong reasons we're all paying more for gas and oil. Naturally it affects me since I have to pay too, but for the most part my life isn't much different as a result than it was a couple of years ago. I might not drive as much as I was and maybe it means a meal or two out less each month, but neither dramatically changes my life.

Now I might vote one way or another in an election based on what a candidate tells me they'll do about the situation with the price of oil, but I'll probably be considering the larger issues than I will the price at the local pump.

cbscreative
08-16-2008, 12:52 PM
There may be a few people who won't like me saying this, but I'm willing to go "out on a limb" and say it anyway. I think those high gas prices have a good side. It has finally reached a pain threshhold where people are paying attention and asking questions. They are now mad enough at gov't to demand something be done about it. As long as that pain wasn't being felt, most of us weren't paying enough attention to what was going on and gov't was making senseless policy without much objection.

I hope this goes one step further. I hope the people of this country will begin to take more interest in other things and put these elected officials on notice that they should be doing what is good for us, not going with the status quo in Washington. That may be asking a lot, but I can certainly hope it works out that way.

I'd like to see a bit more participation in my FairTax thread too (http://www.small-business-forum.net/small-talk/157-how-much-do-you-know-about-fairtax.html), because if the citizens of this country will demand it, it could literally be the biggest shift of power back to the people in at least a century. The only way it will ever get through is if we demand it, because I don't think Washington will ever volunteer to change our convoluted tax system (they love to talk about it though). If I can inspire just a few to take a serious look at it, that will help because change takes place one person at a time.

vangogh
08-16-2008, 01:57 PM
I can't speak for others, but I see that same good side. I've been noticing a lot more conversation going on about cutting back on our personal use of energy and more talk about about the solutions to our energy needs Even more I see people taking action instead of just talking.

Ultimately we need to change the fundamental ways we use energy and the sources where we get it and while I wish it didn't have to come to it sometimes people need to learn the hard way and be confronted with painful realities before we're willing to change.

I have seen your fair tax thread, but I've been wanting to read more of the documents you linked to before tossing out opinions. I figured it was better to have more information first.

Evan
08-16-2008, 02:19 PM
>>I'm not sure how many votes Colorado gives, but I know it's not a lot.<<

9. :)

billbenson
08-16-2008, 02:21 PM
Gas price doesn't really affect me since my commute is from my bedroom to the kitchen to the back bedroom office. Grocery store and a walmart are both about a mile away. Wife commutes though, and spends about $100 on gas a week.

I actually like the high gas prices because the big car thing has been one of my pet peeves. Little old ladies using their Suburban to buy groceries. Big trucks are kind of a macho thing in this area as well. Only about 10&#37; of the people with a big truck or SUV really need them.

cbscreative
08-16-2008, 02:50 PM
I have seen your fair tax thread, but I've been wanting to read more of the documents you linked to before tossing out opinions. I figured it was better to have more information first.
If that's the only thing the thread accomplishes is to get people to do some research on FairTax, then I call it a success. I won't hijack this thread by talking about it here, but getting people educated is the key to making it happen.

vangogh
08-16-2008, 08:50 PM
Thanks Evan. I knew it wasn't a lot and guess I was close.

@Bill - I have the same commute, but I still drive here and there.

@Steve - It did get me to look and research.