Small Business and Other Economic Issues Take Center Stage

Without a doubt, you’ve seen that the country is in the middle of an intense debate over the direction of healthcare reform. With news coverage flooded with images of angry town halls, pundits arguing for and against the public-plan option, and interest groups pounding the airways with ads, healthcare has really grabbed the spotlight this month.

It’s true – 25 percent of Americans now say that healthcare is the country’s most important problem, up from 16 percent in July. We know that healthcare reform has always been the number one concern for small business, so it’s encouraging that the rest of the country is examining the issue and realizing the current crisis that we’re in.

But what about the other issues taking center stage and impacting small businesses? Nearly 60 percent of Americans say that the state of the economy, the federal deficit, rising unemployment and other economic concerns are the biggest problems facing the nation. It’s clear that worries over our economic recovery haven’t evaporated under the heat of the healthcare debate.

So how does the government fit into the public’s perception of the economy? The fact is they remain unconvinced about the government’s role in the small economic gains that have been made. Seven months after the economic stimulus plan was signed into law, people are still skeptical of the impact it’s actually had on the state of the economy.

In a recent USA Today/Gallup poll conducted from August 6-9, only 41 percent believe that the plan is making the economy better than it would be if it had not been passed. In fact, 24 percent believe it’s actually making the economy worse. An even bigger concern revolves around the cost of the stimulus plan and government spending. A full 51 percent of those polled think the government should have spent less on the stimulus package. What’s more, 46 percent of Americans are very worried that the money from the stimulus plan is being wasted.

So what does this all mean? It’s still too early to see the full effects of the stimulus plan and its future effects on the economy. But the current polling numbers show that Americans want to see their government enact change that will result in more immediate and meaningful reform. And whether that’s for healthcare or for the economy, we’re right there with you, and we’ll keep fighting to hold Washington accountable to America’s small businesses.

Citations: http://www.gallup.com/poll/122372/Americans-Stimulus-Costs-Not-Benefits.aspx
http://www.gallup.com/poll/122339/Economy-Declines-Further-Top-Problem-Healthcare-Rises.aspx