"Small business" and "entrepreneur" weren't the most popular terms in President Barack Obama's State of the Union address last night. But that doesn't mean they haven't been a priority during his three -- going on four -- years in the White House.
Though largely ceremonial, State of the Union addresses are meant to serve as a guidepost of the administration's agenda during the year ahead -- or the next four years, depending on when the address is delivered. So if certain issues get highlighted, there's a good chance that the President will push Congress to act on them.
In his third State of the Union address last night, Obama called on Congress to offer legislation on everything from immigration and tax reform to rooting out financial fraud and continuing tuition-assistance programs. Specifically, for small business, he requested new legislation that would extend for a full year the payroll-tax holiday that gives consumers a tax break of $40 per paycheck on average. He also called for a reduction of regulations that prevent would-be entrepreneurs from landing the financing they need to startup and grow, as well as tax relief for businesses that raise wages and create jobs.
And though Obama didn't mention the terms "small business" and "entrepreneur" as much as in the past, relative to other modern-era presidents he may well be remembered as one of small business's biggest cheerleaders.
In his three State of the Union addresses to date, President Obama has mentioned the terms "small business" and "entrepreneur" a total of 22 and six times, respectively. That's the same number of mentions that both his predecessors George W. Bush and Bill Clinton offered combined -- and they had 14 addresses between the two of them.
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Perhaps more striking is that the word "entrepreneur" didn't even get a nod in a president's State of the Union address until 1984, after Ronald Reagan had been in office for three years. And since then, America's fast-growth companies have only been mentioned in those addresses just 13 times.
The shift may have to do with recent focus on entrepreneurs as job creators, says Barbara Perry, a senior fellow at the University of Virginia's Miller Center. "Entrepreneurship is new terminology; it's a 21st century concept," she says. "Entrepreneurship goes beyond the person with the small shop on the corner… It's the dot com boom and bust. It's Facebook and pharmaceutical companies. It's a classier term for capitalist."
Gerhard Peters, co-director of the American Presidency Project at UC Santa Barbara adds that the idea of entrepreneurship is as old as the Republic. "The notion of entrepreneurship is engrained in our collective psyche," he says. "The notion of risk taking is broader. These aren't rich people, they are risk takers… We all like to think we all have an opportunity to take risks to borrow money and build something ourselves to become successful."
But perhaps these terms would be popular no matter who was in the White House. With an unemployment rate of 8.5 percent and millions of Americans underemployed, that's certainly a message any president might be looking to encourage.
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Comments:
You are lying. There is no nice way of putting it. Get your facts straight.
what is this article writer smoking? To try to make a point that Obama is small business or any business friendly is simply absurd.
Making the successful job creators in this country pay more in taxes, while the law books are overflowing with thousands of new laws and regulations is no way to stimulate job growth. I am with Dean & Kyle and the rest trying to succeed in this socialist society Obama has perpetuated. If the government can't help us build our businesses, at least get out of the way and let the market take care if itself. Obama is as much for small business as Newt is for meaningful relationships (not that I give a hoot)! Tired of the rhetoric of job creation on both sides of the fence... blah, blah, blah!
Small business is not classified as less then 100 employees. Which is what makes up the majority USA. Right? So he and this administration has done nothing.
This is BS. Obama (the government in general) is out of control with their regulations and taxes. My small start-up is having the hardest time with cash flow, not because of a lack of customers, but because we have to pay accountants and employees so much just to keep up with the tax code. Get out of the way government, and Obama should lead the way out!
I too have not seen that Obama has done anything for those of us who work for ourselves. I work 70-80 hours a week (like many of you) just to get nailed by the IRS for working harder, trying harder and, therefore, making more money. I'm not one of the 1% (yet) but when I get there, I don't want to be looked upon as a villian just because I've been persistent in trying to reach my goals. I don't watch TV, I don't ask for handouts and I don't mind paying my taxes but there comes a point when the half of us who do work are supporting the half who do not work, then I have a major problem. Obama is a horrible president, and I will be voting against him come November.
He will do nothing positive. His mission is to destroy this country economically.
Actually Henry, The more you make, the money you pay. Not because of association or by some flat rate percentage that everyone in America is being taxed, but by a higher percentage according to your tax bracket. With that being said, you right, there are way too many people (including business owners) who are looking for hand outs. If that is what these people want, maybe they should go to a country that embraces socialism. I personally would rather not be a debtor to any man, especially the Government. If I can make it on my own boot straps, I will. As for taxes, pay unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and pay unto God what Is Gods.
Wow - there sure are a lot of people who are unwilling to think. Pay my taxes at the higher single rate because I do my part as a citizen. Maybe because I care about my country and not just myself. Work for a company that has doubled in size and growth and is a small business, and isn't whining and acting like a bunch of spoiled brats. Instead, we're doing things to make our community better. Constantly amazed at how many people are "all about me" and simply unwilling to get up and do for themselves. Get off your behinds if you are willing to do so, and it is time for the wealthiest 1% of Americans to pay their fair share. Pay at 38% - why should a Billionaire only pay 10 to 13%? Surely he can afford a lot of sycophants though as is evident in abundance.
what I see is a man that is running around the country that vilifies people for making a great living ... that's not really a good sign of quality leadership you expect out of the president of the greatest country the earth has ever seen, or encouragement for those of us that are the job creators. It's almost as if he saying, "we need you to do well to create jobs, but if you do "too" well, then I have to mock you and vilify you". Too many mixed signals out of this president, something I haven't seen since the Jimmy Carter days...and for President Obama, that's not a good thing.
As a real entrepreneur and small buisness owner, I can positively and matter of factly say this is just hoopla and one big circus act. Have not seen one bloody cent for my buisness and i know other business owners haven't either. So stop masquarading like your helping us create jobs for people, when you havn't done jack for people like me who actually do make their living from a small buisness.
The only thing the present administration has done for small business is add more government, regulation, more law's, more rules, new taxes and higher energy cost's.
Strong slaves on slave ships were beaten harder than others, but were to first to die on the voyage. It is unethical to punish hard working people for the efforts they make. So the saying that `strong shoulders should carry most weight` is killing motivation for entrepreneurship.
So, Obama thinks that putting America in more debt (more than anyone else combined) will help America's economy? Really?
this is how you measure Obama's help to small business, by how many time he says "small business" in a speech?? He has done nothing to address the credit crisis ravaging small business. Words don't count when there is no action behind them...The only help he has provided by way of liquidity was the 700 Billion he gave to the banks that have not done a thing to lend to small business.
Saying & doing are two different things. How about he does something to help rather than just mention us in a speech.