Small Business Factor

During Franklin Roosevelt’s first 100 days in office, Congress granted every request the new president made. Barack Obama, despite enjoying a decisive majority in both houses of Congress, hasn’t been so fortunate. Even with a clear Democratic majority controlling the nation’s purse strings and the bully pulpit, it appears that Washington is tied in the usual knots when it comes to the issues impacting America’s small businesses.

Despite lip service to the undeniable fact that small business is the creator of American jobs, most of the effort in 2009 has gone to behemoths deemed “too big to fail” and to emergency relief for the individuals thrown out of work by these institutions. Meanwhile, the approval rating of Congress has dropped to 21 percent, and the President’s to 50 percent. What is going on?

Is it possible that our elected officials are so inundated by lobbyist and special interest groups in Washington that they are not hearing the voice of their constituents back at home, many of whom own or work for a small business? Can they really be thinking that what they have been doing creates real value for America’s engine of economic growth?

NSBA is the nation’s oldest advocacy organization representing small business, but what’s unique about NSBA is that it truly is OUR organization and it takes direction from real small-business owners.

NSBA’s government affairs staff members serve as ambassadors of the small-business community at large, advancing our small business agenda. They provide day-to-day contact with elected officials and their staff, reminding them that there is nothing small about small business, and that it is the economic engine that fuels our economy. It is an uphill battle against unions, consumer groups, foreign businesses and big, but failing American companies.

In spite of all the great advocacy work that NSBA does on behalf of the small-business community, I can’t help but wonder if we – small business owners and employees – are doing all we can to help further elevate small business issues and concerns in our nation’s capital. We are numerous, and we can be much more powerful-but only if we join our voices together.

That is why I am challenging each and every member of NSBA to take action when NSBA issues a legislative action alert; to regularly visit and familiarize yourself with the priority issues posted on the NSBA website; and to utilize NSBA’s online advocacy system to connect with your elected officials to share with them your passion and concern on issues important to your small-business.

As you flip through the pages of this issue of the NSBA ADVOCATE you will find numerous resources that will help you become fully effective at getting your point across; find out what Congress did to advance the small-business agenda; and hear from a few members of Congress who are working hard for small business. We may not get paid like Beltway insiders, but we live with the consequences of what Congress does, and we can provide the dose of reality that Congress needs. When Congress listens to us, it might even see its approval rating break 30 percent!