What Do Business Owners Think About Politics?

We’ve been talking to some business owners about politics. We want to know what’s bothering you about your business and politics. Our first business owner willing to talk about the topic with us is Jennifer Hofmann. Jennifer does heart-centered virtual organizing for small businesses at her business, Inspired Home Office. She also writes My Organized Biz for b5Media.

1. What is the biggest issue facing your small business today? How could politicians help you?

The biggest issue facing my business is whether it can withstand this economic downturn (call it a slump or an outright recession, but people are spending less money on non-essentials). It’s starting to grow, but I seriously question whether policiticans can help me one way or the other.

2. What presidential candidate would be the best choice for America? For small business owners? Why?

If we get a Republican, we’ll probably get tax cuts, but we’ll continue to pay the price with fewer services, weaker infrastructure, and a greater sense of national fear. If we get a Democrat, we’ll have better international regard and better services but higher taxes. In my mind, it’s almost a toss-up.

I think everyone’s giving lip service to small businesses these days, so I’m not really sure who will be better for us little guys. Personally though, Barack Obama represents my own values better than hot-headed McCain or shifty Clinton – and that’s how I’ll be voting in the primary.

I’d like to think that either party would do more to support small business owners. A good start would be developing micro grants, affordable health care, guest worker legistlation – just to name a few. Empowering local Small Business Development Associations with better funding would be a great help to small businesses for the training they need to succeed.

3. How involved are you with politics?

I benefit from the social pressure in Oregon where we vote by mail. In advance of elections, we receive a printed voter’s pamphlet which I read before I vote. My involvement with politics also includes talking with and listening to my friends about the issues and candidates – which seems increasingly rare these days. I did volunteer for the local Obama campaign office but haven’t done any phone banking yet.