Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and so has some of our stimulus for small business. Right now, lenders are working their "transitions" from stimulus loans, those with a 90% guarantee and no borrower fees, to the old loans, with a 75% guarantee and borrowers fees.

Of course, there is pending legislation to extend these programs for another year, and it is widely anticipated that it will pass. However, without passage now, lending will most certainly slow down even more than it has. It seems that the congress cannot multi-task very well, and that the healthcare bill has paralyzed them.

It seems that everyone forgot President Obama's comment supporting the raise to the $5 Million cap, and that capital access is not an issue as long as healthcare can be debated.

Let me say this: Healthcare will be a bigger problem if we don't get the capital markets fixed for small business. The only job engine in this country cannot exist without access to lending, and banks are still NOT LENDING to small business. Business startups, franchise startups and business resales all create and maintain jobs. If we continue to lose these businesses, we will all have to pick up the healthcare tab for these folks. Let's get people back to work, and capital access is the vehicle for job growth, so let's make sure it is workign properly.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, we have much tobe thankful for this year. With all of the trials and tribulations in business this year, my wife and kids have been amazingly supportive, and I am very thankful. We have our health, happiness and freedom. The USA is still the best place in the world to live, and fulfill your dreams.