US Elections Will Impact The Franchise Industry; Op-Ed

                                                               

Actually, the upcoming election will impact all of us....

So, which Presidential candidate are you going to vote for?

We have two choices that really couldn't be further apart, in age, philosophy and experience.

Mr. Obama brings a fresh, new approach to our seemingly old fashioned political system. He seems to posses the smarts, and the energy, to bring about some much needed change.

Mr. McCain brings 20+ years of solid experience in the Senate, and has experienced first hand, what a war is really like. He has crossed the aisle on more than one occasion, and has no problem going right up against President Bush on policy matters.

So, how does the small business/franchise community feel?

Here is a text interview with both candidates done by The International Franchise Association.

The small business community seems to be very fearful of tax hikes, which from afar, would seem to favor McCain's philosophies of trickle down economics. This blogger has not seen that work in the past few years. Have you?

The franchise industry buzz is that franchisees are worried more about an Obama presidency, because of his possible tax hikes to small business owners. Whoever is elected, some type of tax changes are on the way, but until those tax changes are actually passed, everything is still  hypothetical in nature. 

Let me share my politics with you.

As long as I remember, I have leaned to the left. In recent memory, I must say that our economy seemed to be in a lot better shape when President Clinton was in office. That does not mean that I liked Clinton. I totally lost respect for him when he lied to us about his skirt chasing escapades. I am not one of those who say that "It was just a lie about a sexual encounter. It is not like he lied about Iraq's nuclear weapon capabilities."

Like a lot of you, the events on September 11th, changed me. As a matter of fact, the attack on our country altered my entire outlook on life. I am certainly more aware of my surroundings, and when traveling, my radar is up. More importantly, my political leanings changed pretty dramatically after that day. I felt that President Bush did a great job in the weeks after the attack, and I had no problem with him, as a President. I was all for {and still am} taking our fight to the people that mean to do us harm, and being on offense.

I really don't care why some people hate us, nor do I want to have a debate with them, to learn why they have a problem with us. I just want to be safe. I want my family to be safe.

So after 9-11, I definitely leaned more to the right than I ever have. I liked the Bush administrations attitude, and still believe that we have to show the enemy that we are not playing around.

I am still 50/50 on going into Iraq. I am not sure it was the right thing. I do feel that we need to start leaving, though. {Only when it is safe to do so} 

So, here I am. A Democrat who leans a little to the right.

I don't think that John McCain is a bad guy. I respect him tremendously. It is his judgment. When he picked Sarah Palin, who I never heard of, I feel that he did it for effect. I do not think she is the least bit qualified to be the Vice President, and I really don't think that this is the person our country should end up with if McCain were to become President, and die in office. As a matter of fact, I am quite angry with Mr. McCain. I feel that he put politics ahead of our country's best interest. She just is not the one I want in the Oval Office in a time of crisis.

Mr. Obama is going to get my vote this election. He is smart, steady, and will surround himself with other smart people. Mr. Biden, even with his "foot in mouth disease," brings his foreign relations experience, and knows the game. Mr. Obama is not a perfect candidate, but I feel he will bring much needed change to Washington.

Before I end this, I want to say that I really don't think that Mr. Obama will do anything to hurt small business in this country. He knows that small businesses drive this nation's economy.

What are your opinions on the two candidates??? Please feel free to comment, below!

Please get out and vote...

My political leanings made you want to subscribe to my blog, right?

Comments

[yona loriner]

interesting

[yona loriner]

interesting

[Joel Libava]

Thank you all for your comments, and commentary. The really cool thing about our great country is that we CAN debate. we can even do it nicely...
Please ask others to chime in. I am curious about how things shake out.
Joel Libava

[Dave T.]

When this $250,000 joe the plumber thing came up I thought to my friends and family in successful small business. They all take home good salaries and could take home more if they wanted. Instead they put it into the company and use company funds to help pay for transportation and other costs and don't take home as much. BTW, the two I know best who do very very well and employ about a dozen employees each, I don't think bring home $250,000 in pure income.

The dumbest thing about this is, if it's a question about job creation and you're going to make $270,000 wouldn't you just hire an extra entry level person for $30,000 to help grow your company and keep your income level under the cap?

If you're bitching about $250,000 in pure income you have a problem, small business owner or not.

And btw these aren't tax hikes, these are reversals of W's tax cuts. We're still ahead of the Reagan years on taxes even under Obama.

[Sam]

i am an independent conservative and will vote for mccain - i believe obama has socialistic tendencies and is as far left as you can go. besides i do not believe he has the experience needed to guide us through the current times. palin was (and is) a good choice and has been beaten up by the media, far more than obama and biden have. if obama is elected, i fear many of our individual rights will be eroded, especially with a democratic house and senate. i do not see anywhere where he will be a positive for small businesses.

[Brandon Morris]

I do not accept a party affiliation at all...and and as completely against the grain as everyone says, I'm going to mix a little religion in with business and politics - that's playing with fire isn't it?

I'm personally not an Obama fan. It's not because of tax increases which is a strong possibility. His religion? I'm not sure what that is for him these days, he says he's a Christian, who am I to judge? I will say the interview where he mentioned his muslim faith kind of caught me a little funny only because he said it so easily.

Joel, your dislike for Palin was b/c of her experience, I tend to agree in the area of foreign policy, however, she alone (running for vice-presidency) has more experience than Obama (running for President.)

One top reason the McCain has my vote is his experience overall, his experience in the military that include first hand war...that's HUGE.

One top reason Obama does not have my vote is there is just too much unknown about him still, too many things that is not completely upfront about as well as too many ties to shady people and organizations.

Just my two cents...I do also like Palin for her religious views as well...in this time we're living in, I believe that more than just an election it's a spiritual battle as well.

One more issue before I'm done - is abortion, eveyone has an opinion, right? I happen to be against it, period! Obama seems to be for it...I can I vote like that? In my eyes, it's murder...I'll end this issue like this...if I'm wrong, what have we lost, we have another baby in the world, there are many many people who would like to have kids that can't. If I'm right though...the consequences could be eternal.

There - we have mixed religion, politics, & business...out there on the edge aren't we :)....have a GREAT week!

[The Franchise King]

Diane, Thank you for adding your comment. There MUST be more of us. Maybe they will join in and comment, too.
Again, thanx!
Joel Libava

[Diane]

Wow, I am right there with you...a Democrat who leans to the right! I am sure there are more of us out there, but is there a president out there for us?