Stand up for small business, reject Wall Street greed

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If you have turned on the TV in the last month, it will be no surprise that small businesses are hurting in Nevada.

Our unemployment rate is the worst in the nation and the “job-creators” don't seem to be creating those jobs they promised in exchange for their tax cuts. Both sides of the political aisle agree that small businesses are the way out of this economic hardship. Interestingly enough, it’s mega corporations who gobble up the bulk of the so-called job-creating tax cuts while not paying little to know taxes and laying off thousands (and if you're Bank of America, 30,000) American workers. And institutions like the Chamber of Commerce who claim to speak on behalf of the small business community use their member's dues to try and kill the Affordable Care Act and now the American Jobs Act, both designed to reward small businesses.

Conservatives in Washington claim to work on behalf of small businesses yet the wealthy corporate lobbyists continue to act as their puppet master with checkbook in hand. National and international corporations perpetuate the practice of using small businesses as human shields while they reap the benefits of sweetheart deals made while teeing off at a luxury golf course.

It’s time we hear from those who are hurting the most, how to help lift this nation back up by supporting small businesses.

Occupy Wall Street has sparked action across the country. The Occupy protesters are the personification of civic engagement. Representation from various communities and identities including old, young, people of color, and queer are exercising their constitutional right to be heard. More importantly their movement has sparked a revolution of the working-class finding their voice in a political and economic landscape that favors an elite few.

Small businesses are the engine to this country. In Nevada, small businesses need to be supported in their advocacy efforts rather than claiming to speak on behalf of their issues while padding the pockets of fat cats.

Prudential laid off more than 160 American workers in 2010

Black & Decker laid off more than 2,000 American Workers in 2009 and nearly 4,000 in 2010

Stand up. Push back.

Congress needs to hear how to get this country back on track from the people who are the true “job creators.”

In an effort to continue our support for small businesses, PLAN, in partnership with the Main Street Alliance, is taking a small business survey. Businesses are encouraged to click the link below where they will be able to take the survey online. Responses are kept confidential and will only be shared internally with the PLAN staff. Additionally, PLAN will be working with the small business community in Nevada to lift up stories of those impacted and propose real solutions to move Nevada forward.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MGinsburg