Is Obama Pro-Business? Not Even Close

To the Editor:

In a time of anemic economic growth, high unemployment, and a growing national debt, Americans look (or used to look) to their leader for solutions. Unfortunately our leader has it all wrong.

“Made in America,” which is needed more than ever, is harder and harder to find. This due to increasing regulations from Washington. In order to save our economy Washington must make America a business-friendly nation. President Obama preaches the importance of less regulation, his actions prove otherwise. Since taking office the only booming business in America is the federal regulatory business. Employment at these agencies climbed 13 percent while private sector employment dropped 5.3 percent.

According to a Washington University study the budget for these agencies increased 16 percent to $54 billion. In his first 26 months as President, Obama’s imposed 75 new major rules costing the private sector over $40 billion. Why should corporations put up with this? Corporations have been criticized for moving production and jobs offshore and to their defense who could blame them? It’s a good business decision.

Think of it this way: Imagine you want to sell produce at a farmers’ market. Newtown’s farmers market has numerous rules and regulations and if approved, Newtown demands 35 percent of your profits. Danbury also has a farmers’ market with less rules and regulations and demands 15 percent of your profits. Obviously choosing Danbury is the smarter business decision. If Newtown wants their farmers’ market to survive they need to incentivize businesses and that is what Obama and Washington don’t get. People and corporations have choices on where to do business and the most customer and business friendly places survive.

While we yearn for “Change we can believe in,” we receive “Not Made in America.”

Daniel M. Patti, CFP

84 South Main Street, Newtown                                August 24, 2011