Barack Asks the Business Community for Advice

The best way to learn is to ask.

Frankly, I think it is good that he is concerned about small business, but I want to know about other things.

I think that Senator Obama is already doing that. He is listening. He is going OUT to the community, instead of sitting back and allowing the community to come to him. He is not just going out there himself, he is asking the questions needing to asked, such as this very question. He is dispatching the people around him to work with entrepreneurs, small businesses to understand their issues and concerns.

More than than, because it's not enough to understand, and certainly the Senator is in a position to legislate, and as President will be in a position to work with these people BUT

the Senator has been inviting small business as he has all of America to
ENGAGE in this process, to

HELP THEMSELVES, TOO

The Senator is not a one-man show; NO ONE IS A ONE MAN/WOMAN SHOW.

It's going to take the partnership of these same entrepreneurs and small businesses to work with him to create change.

Partnership for change for a better AMERICA.

Senator, I don't know if that answers your question or not. :=)

I'm happy that Senator Obama is asking this question, listening and looking for answers. He understands that small business is the engine of our economy and a means to keep jobs in the USA.

Small businesses need help to compete with the "Giants" of the industry. They lack large advertising and marketing budgets. Product pricing is another disadvantage due to a lower sales volume.

Some forms of tax relief are in the mill but the process is a slow one and many are not seeing benefits. Small Business Loans need to be more accessible. Small Businesses need to be able to band together and close the health insurance gap. These are just some of the items which need to be moved to the front burner to assist this industry.

I agree with Barbara, small business are going down because of taxes,cannot compete with the price market (China)
No loans that are reasonable for small business, large business buying out the area.

Its good that the question has been asked. Thanks

Small business doesn't want a hand out. I own a small business. I just want a level playing field. That means a state and federal government that will actually listen to concerns like runaway taxes, and not just pretend like they're listening and then do the opposite of what would be helpful. Governments tend to only listen to BIG business, and the little guys have no voice.