The cost of doing business in the United States just got more expensive.

On Friday the federal minimum wage was increased for the third time in three years, jumping from $6.55 an hour to $7.25 an hour, a staggering 10.7 percent jump.  This comes at a time when unemployment is rising and people are finding it difficult to find a job and employers are struggling to keep their doors open.  

According to a 2003 study by economists at the Federal Reserve, a 2-3 percent decrease in employment can be expected from a 10 percent increase in the minimum wage.   In fact, small business owners will be paying 40.8 percent more per hour than they were paying in January 2007. Unemployment was 4.6 percent then, today it is 9.5 percent.

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Last week, Senator Tom Coburn (R-Ok), also known as Dr. Coburn, pressed the Senate Health Committee to approve his idea of requiring members of congress to enroll in whatever "public plan" is passed to compete with private insurance companies.  On the House side, they have unveiled its 1,018 page health care proposal that costs nearly $1 billion per page and still doesn't solve the problem of providing coverage to all Americans.  What say you about this?   Please comment  http://terry-neese-blog.com/

In fact, according to the Congressional Budget Office, under the House bill the number of Americans without health insurance increases over the next three years.  

The House proposal would extend insurance to 37 million (still leaving 17 million uninsured) Americans over the next decade, covering more by expanding Medicaid and providing subsidies to help the uninsured meet the new federal mandate to purchase insurance.

Who is going to pay for increased coverage?  Small business for one– big time!  Sign this petition to stop government takeover of health care:  http://www.freeourhealthcarenow.com/ 

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The House of Representatives unveiled its 1,018 page health care proposal that costs nearly $1 billion per page and doesn't solve the problem.  There is enough in the massive $1.2 trillion bill to make everyone sick. 

The proposal would extend insurance to 37 million (still leaving 17 million uninsured) Americans over the next decade, covering more by expanding Medicaid and providing subsidies to help the uninsured meet the new federal mandate to purchase insurance.  

Who is going to pay for increased coverage?  Small business for one.

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If you are feeling like your small business is over regulated, it probably is.  A new national survey conducted by Moore Information found that by nearly a two-to-one margin, American voters believe business and industry are over-regulated in this country.  Today, 45% of voters believe there is "too much" government regulation of business.

That shouldn't surprise any of us who own or a run a small business.   The reach of the federal government has continued to grow over the last decade, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

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I just returned from a week in Washington, D.C.  As usual, I am always amazed at the enormous waste of spending that goes on in the halls of Congress.  When I walk those halls, I am proud of our country yet see things going on there that astounds me.  For example, lobbyists hanging  around in every congressional doorway, youngsters making decisions on pieces of legislation that impact all of us, and hundreds of government employees scurrying about to conduct the nation's business.  One of my most enjoyable times when I am there is talking to taxi cab drivers.  They can tell you what is really going on!  They tell me times are slow, they are much more aggressive in their marketing, they are worldly and can voice their opinion on just about any world topic and seem to have a grasp on all the dynamics in Iraq or Afghanistan or Pakistan.  Many are very intelligent.

While in the District, I met with the media, congressional aides, and academia.  They asked me on several occasions, "what do small business owners want and why aren't small business owners using their voices more to articulate their needs and wants."  I told them that most small business owners I speak to want to be left alone to build their businesses and innovate and create new jobs.  Their response to me?  Then, why aren't they using their voices more on these critical issues that congress is discussing which will have a profound effect on their businesses?  I have always believed that change can happen if 24 million small business owners come together with one voice!  But that is a tough coalition to organize.  If you run a business and you're not involved in public policy; then public policy will run your business.  There are a lot of issues being pushed right now.  Small business owners need to weigh in on these issues and voice their opinion.  They have enough clout to make a difference!

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