Is the government anti-business?

U.S. Political debate over the last couple of years has brought an important question to the forefront for struggling entrepreneurs: Is the government (federal, state and local governments) anti-business? Of course, in all but the most extreme local communities, it would be irrational to think that there is an actual conscious conspiracy to kill small business and therefore the economy, but one must ask – does government’s actions have that effect? And if these levels of government do have that effect, then they are indeed effectively anti-business. Actions speak louder than words. And it’s not the intention that counts, but the true effects as they play out in reality that matters.

I will leave it to you to research the claims, records and realities of the various political parties, groups, and movements, but it seems wise to not be working against yourself by voting the wrong way. When we support business thriving, we support everyone, because in a free market economy, where the bulk of transactions are handled in an honest exchange of real value, most everyone wins, one way or another. Even those dependent on welfare reap the fruit of taxation revenue generated by successful business and individuals. And businesses and individuals who are doing well financially are more likely to hire people, promote people, give raises and contribute to charity.

Consider the analogy of the government with a farmer. Has this farmer become a greedy pillager? Are the animals (businesses) not healthy because of abuse, taking too much too soon from them and excessive harassment? As with the farmer, the government is very short-sighted to be effectively destroying the base of it’s own revenue and existence.

Whatever the case, the successful entrepreneur does not get discouraged for long, but gets up from failures, reassesses after discovery of a barrier and moves on, full-steam ahead! An entrepreneur, when they cannot get through a barrier, must take the path of least resistance toward their goals. It does pay to think outside the box. Are there other cities, counties, states that are more business-friendly than where you are? Is the nature of your business such that you could locate in some other jurisdiction? Some even decide to form their company in another country or “move” their company to one later.

Every entrepreneur has his or her own unique style, principles, convictions, motivations and tastes. A small minority may even enjoy the oppressive excess of government regulation, harassment and taxation and tax complexity. For the rest of you, being open-minded, avoiding government excess where encountered, is not only good for your venture, but ultimately your customers and even the nation, as the government “learns” by harsh trial and error (apparently the only way the government can learn) to be good to business, not hostile.