U.S. Congressman Fred Upton

Washington, DC, Aug 30 - By Rep. Fred Upton -
 
In spite of the uphill challenges they have faced, small business owners continue to lead the way for our economic recovery here in Michigan and throughout the United States.  They not only embody the entrepreneurial spirit of our free market economy, but play a vitally important role when it comes to job creation, innovation, and local growth. 
 
According to the Small Business Administration, American small businesses account for half of all private sector employees and more than half of the goods and services produced here in the United States.   What’s more, small businesses accounted for 65 percent of all new jobs created between 1993 and 2009. 
 
With those facts in mind, consider the findings of a recent survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business to identify the top concerns of American small business owners.
 
Not surprisingly, rising healthcare costs remain the top worry for most employers.  But unfortunately – for all of its overreach – Obamacare does nothing to actually address the cost side of the equation.  In fact, under the President’s massive healthcare law just the opposite happens: the costs and regulations facing U.S. small businesses increase.
 
The second, fourth, and fifth concerns are very much related: uncertainty about our economic future, uncertainty about government policy, and the growing burden of unreasonable government regulations.  When it comes time for job creators to decide whether or not to hire and expand here at home, issues like our historic national debt – now nearly $16 trillion – and the impact of costly new regulations have a real and detrimental impact.
 
Rising energy costs took third in the survey, as higher prices make it more expensive for companies to do business and add to costs for struggling families.  But rather than send a positive signal by investing in North American energy, the Obama administration continues to say “no” to increased production by rejecting projects like the Keystone XL pipeline.
 
A responsible general would never lead an army into battle without the weapons and resources needed for victory.  In the fight for our economic recovery, we can no less give our employers the certainty and resources they need to succeed.

www.tricityrecord.com