In two days, many of us will gather with friends and family and celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  As we give thanks, I would like to share with you a piece I wrote & I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Small business women and men are thankful to live in a country where dreams shape reality, and where hard work is still appreciated and honored.

Small businesses annually create two-thirds of all new jobs, and contribute an astonishing one-half of the national Gross Domestic Product. America's small enterprises are finding new frontiers every day, and small business women and men still live, in modern ways, the dreams of the Pilgrims and the pioneers of old.

It's interesting how many people are surprised to learn how essential "mom and pop" entrepreneurs remain to broader achievement of the American dream.

In these times of economic uncertainty, it is important to preserve the American small business – a way of life that has endured since our country began.

This year, there may be small business owners who gather around the Thanksgiving table this year with a smaller turkey and fewer trimmings. They may even be working on the holiday.

Times are tough for many. However, it's appropriate to take some time to be thankful, even among the difficulties.

It is a blessing to live and work in America, where "the wealth of nations" has been most dramatically uplifted in ways that empower average people and improve the lives of millions.

But of course, there is still so much to be done. The bounty of the land and the genius of the people must combine so that every American willing to work is able to get a job, at a wage sufficient to support a decent standard of living.

America does it the best, for which we should be truly thankful. But in this land we dare to dream of doing even better. We should be thankful for that, too.

People in small business can certainly be thankful, but are still hopeful for more opportunity and better lives for themselves and the country.

For example, we praise tax cuts that, over the last few years, have allowed us to give raises to good employees, buy more equipment and become more efficient. But small businesses could use additional tax relief to do even more.

Small business people who have been surviving through the financial crises are thankful for community bankers who used sensible and sound policies to stay out of the sub-prime mess. But they would be grateful, as well, for reforms in health care, taxes and workplaces that reduce burdens on small businesses in challenging times. Small business needs access to capital and fewer regulatory burdens.

Some in small business are thankful that success has allowed them to provide good health insurance to employees, yet it would be nice if employers were allowed to purchase individually owned, portable health insurance with pre-tax dollars, and to pass on those benefits to employees.

There is so much that is good about our system and our economy. Yet still there remain corners of injustice and illogic.

Some Americans are grateful to have bosses who allow flexible work hours, but many more could benefit by greater flexibility in labor laws, allowing workers to attend a child's soccer game or take a parent to the doctor one week, and make up those hours the following week.

And shouts of thankfulness and joy would certainly arise if all benefits were taxed in such a way that they didn't raise marginal tax rates for two-income couples and avoided the earnings penalty for seniors who work.

At this time of Thanksgiving, small businesses and workers have much to be thankful for. But there remains work to be done. America needs policies that free small businesses to compete and that provide flexibility, portability and security for employees. The backbone of America is at stake.

Tomorrow is rushing in, bringing a world where the few constants will include fierce competition from abroad. But it will also bring gratitude for the chance to live free, and live well, in America.

Happy Thanksgiving and thanks to small business owners for taking the risks to reward others.

One Response to “Thanksgiving for America…and Thanks to Small Business Owners living the dream”

1. Ray Wooldridge Says:
   November 25th, 2008 at 3:47 pm

   Terri, I have discovered that when a business of mine grows much beyond 500 folks, I tend to lose interest. I like to know veryone by name and skill. It much easier to be thankful together at a small size! Ray

Leave a Reply