We are pleased to hear that, according to the National Federation of Independent
Business, the small business owner appears to have garnered more political clout
than ever.
But we are also disheartened that such clout came only after small business owners
dug deeper into their collective pockets, literally investing in the now outrageously
expensive political process.
This year’s contributions – through the NFIB — by small businesses represent
a $3 million increase from 1998, and a $5 million increase over the last Presidential
election in 1996. And those numbers are obviously a drop in the bucket – as they
do not take into account money donated personally by small business owners or
through organizations other than the NFIB.
"Small business owners have come a long way in a short time," said Dennis
Whitfield, NFIB senior vice president. "In just four yearsour number of contributors
has doubled, campaign contributions have tripled, and NFIB’s voter contacts have
soared 12 times overthis is the year that small business owners became a political
power."
We only hope the small business owners can afford the price tag. Perhaps this
is simply how the process works – or doesn’t work.
We are reminded of comments made by U.S. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, during a
Sept. 7 visit to the nation’s capitol by about 100 Rhode Island business leaders.
Kerry told the group that as unfortunate as it may sound — money talks on Capitol
Hill.
"The agenda of this city can not be helped but be impacted by the $100 million
per month that is spent here," he said.
The NFIB also reports that more than 40,000 contributions have been made by small
business owners in this general election season – a 90 percent increase since
1996.
"With the very survival of small business at risk, with well-funded special
interests on the other side working tirelessly against them, small business owners
have met the challenge of this election year," Whitfield said.
We are glad the small business community has recognized and met the challenge.
But we also wonder how this horribly expensive process got so out of hand. And
whether it can ever be brought under control.
