Gallup: Gov’t Regulations at Top of Small-Business Owners’ Problem List

Oct 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Yesterday’s Gallup poll confirmed what I have been hearing from Small Business owners throughout Virginia – Washington’s burdensome, counterproductive regulations are the biggest problem Small Business owners face in today’s economy. Unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats shouldn’t have the authority to implement costly regulations that impact families and destroy jobs. Washington needs to listen to the voices of job creators in Virginia and implement pro-growth policies that help businesses create jobs, not smother businesses with unnecessary, counterproductive regulations and red tape.

 

 

Gov’t Regulations at Top of Small-Business Owners’ Problem List

Gallup.com

By Dennis Jacobe

October 24, 2011

 

PRINCETON, NJ — Small-business owners in the United States are most likely to say complying with government regulations (22%) is the most important problem facing them today, followed by consumer confidence in the economy (15%) and lack of consumer demand (12%). 

Rounding out small-business owners’ top five problems in the Oct. 3-6 Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index poll is lack of credit at 10% and poor leadership by government and the president at 9%.

Looking ahead to 2012, approximately one in three small-business owners say they are very or moderately worried about going out of business. About the same number are worried about not being able to compete with large or global competitors, not being able to hire the number of employees they need, and not being able to pay their employees. Thirty percent worry they will have to reduce their number of employees.

On a personal basis, 67% of small-business owners are worried about not being able to put enough money away for retirement, and 49% are concerned about not being able to spend enough time with family or pursuing personal interests.

Click here to read more

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Listen to Virginians, Mr. President (Op-Ed from The Washington Times)

Oct 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Listen to Virginians, Mr. President

The Washington Times

By George Allen

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

 

President Obama just witnessed the defeat of his flawed stimulus bill that called for tax hikes to pay for more of the same failed policies that we have seen come out Washington. Even some Senate Democrats expressed the same concerns I have heard from Virginians – the bill is “terrible,” “invested far too little in actual job creation” and they can’t “support raising taxes so Washington can spend more.”

Such a setback should make apparent to the president what Virginia families know: Higher taxes and more government spending do not create jobs. Instead of working to reinvigorate the entrepreneurial spirit of America with the right economic, energy and education policies, the president has chosen to go on a taxpayer-funded bus tour to try to convince Virginians a second stimulus and higher taxes are a solution to our country’s problems.

As Mr. Obama makes a few stops in the Commonwealth on his bus tour, I hope he takes time away from his campaign events to listen to Virginians. The people of Virginia are anxious and worried about their families losing their jobs, looming tax increases, high fuel and electricity costs hurting their budgets and the rising health care costs and job impediments due to Obamacare. Here’s some advice:

1. Really listen: The president is visiting Virginia at a crucial time in the course of our history. America has had 32 consecutive months of unemployment above 8 percent, 1.5 million people have lost their jobs since the failed $825 billion stimulus and our confidence in the future is down. Incomes have dropped to levels not seen in 15 years. For the first time in the nation’s history, our credit rating is down – a further strain on the economy as well as our belief in the American Dream.

Families in Virginia know we are not better off due to the policies of Mr. Obama and former Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine during the past nearly three years. As a result, more and more people are becoming pessimistic about the future, concerned that the opportunities to succeed that they had in life won’t be around for their children and grandchildren. The president should take a break from his campaign events to really hear this message.

2. Do what works: Rather than recycle failed policies, Mr. Obama and Mr. Kaine, who was also chairman of the Democratic National Committee, need to focus on how to turn our economy around. It is time for America’s comeback. It starts with a pro-growth agenda based on our foundational principles of freedom, opportunity for all and personal responsibility rather than mandates, dictates, redistribution and dependency on government.
Click here to read more

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A-Team: Please take a moment to check out this new video

Oct 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A-Team: Please take a moment to check out this new video reminding Virginians that Chairman Kaine will be just another reliable vote for President Obama and the same failed policies he defended for last two and half years as head of the Democratic National Committee.

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George Allen for U.S. Senate Campaign Announces Third Quarter Fundraising Numbers

Oct 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 7, 2011

    

George Allen for U.S. Senate Campaign Announces Third Quarter Fundraising Numbers


Richmond, VA – Today, George Allen for U.S. Senate announced another strong fundraising quarter – raising over $900,000 in the last three months.  To date, the Allen Campaign has raised $3.5 million and has $1.8 million cash-on-hand to start October.

“Susan and I are heartened by the incredible generosity and support that we continue to receive as we campaign to bring Virginians voices and values to the U.S. Senate.  Our strong grassroots team is working hard and it’s invigorating to see the momentum build as we grow stronger by the day.  Even as Susan and I continue to travel the Commonwealth campaigning and raising money for General Assembly and local candidates on the ballot this year, it is clear there is an urgency for action.  We must reinvigorate the entrepreneurial spirit of America by putting economic, energy and education policies in place that will give America a competitive advantage for investment, American jobs and revenue.   Susan and I look forward to continuing the conversations we’ve been having with Virginians on the campaign trail and sharing new ideas and positive solutions for Virginia families and businesses.”

 

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Statement from George Allen on the September Jobs Report

Oct 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 7, 2011

  

Statement from George Allen on the September Jobs Report

Henrico, VA – George Allen issued the following statement today on the September jobs report.    

“Virginia families are hurting, businesses are struggling and today’s jobs report fell well short of what was needed to bring down an unemployment rate stuck at 9.1 percent. Taxes and burdensome regulations on small businesses pose a problem to our economic growth.  It’s been nearly three years and the Obama-Kaine economy has resulted in 32 consecutive months of unemployment above 8 percent, and it’s clear that their policies aren’t making our lives any better. 

“My Blueprint for America’s Comeback is a comprehensive pro-growth plan that will help create millions of new, private sector jobs by reforming and reducing the tax burden, reining in punishing regulations from unaccountable, unelected bureaucracies, unleashing America’s plentiful energy resources and putting a stop to the reckless tax and spend pattern in Washington that is stifling our economic recovery.  We need to send a message to the rest of the world that America is ‘Open for Business Again!’”

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Advancing a new freedom-to-work agenda for America (From The Washington Examiner)

Oct 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Advancing a new freedom-to-work agenda for America

The Washington Examiner

By George Allen

Thursday, October 6, 2011
Our Right-to-Work law is one of Virginia’s foundational strengths and competitive advantages.  The laws that protect workplace Freedom have made Virginia one of the best places to start or grow a business, but not everyone sees things as we do.

This is especially true in Washington.  Rather than recognizing the fact that Right-to-Work laws are good for everyone, President Obama’s administration and his allies seem bent on destroying them. 

As I travel around Virginia, I am constantly reminded of the importance of our freedom to work.  Virginians remind me about the companies that have relocated to or expanded in Virginia since we declared that “Virginia is Open for Business!” in 1994.

Others recall those 50,000 Virginians who have left the welfare rolls to find gainful employment.  I often wonder how successful our economic development and ground-breaking welfare reform efforts would have been in a less job-friendly state.

These are not abstract concepts.  These are real jobs created because Virginia respects and protects our Right to Work.

Through executive fiat and the intrusive action of the National Labor Relation Board (NLRB), the Obama administration and their congressional and big labor allies are waging war on private employers under the guise of protecting workers.

They believe that more regulation and government control will protect jobs, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.  Businesses create jobs when entrepreneurs believe that their anticipated return on investment outweighs the risks.

Over-regulation creates uncertainty and additional risk, which in turn stifles investment and diminishes job opportunities.

The threat to Virginia’s jobs from Washington is real, and it must be checked.  From the President’s job-killing monstrous health-care dictates to his gigantic $1.5 trillion tax increase proposal and Executive Orders, bureaucracy and lawsuits trying to tell Boeing where it can build a business, the opponents of our freedom to work are seriously threatening.

That is why I have created a three-part Freedom to Work agenda that will 1) help America’s businesses create jobs; 2) save taxpayers money; and 3) protect the liberty of working men and women.

Click here to continue reading

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ICYMI: Advancing a new freedom-to-work agenda for America (From The Washington Examiner)

Oct 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 6, 2011

   
  

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Advancing a new freedom-to-work agenda for America
From The Washington Examiner 

By George Allen

Thursday, October 6, 2011
Our Right-to-Work law is one of Virginia’s foundational strengths and competitive advantages.  The laws that protect workplace Freedom have made Virginia one of the best places to start or grow a business, but not everyone sees things as we do.

This is especially true in Washington.  Rather than recognizing the fact that Right-to-Work laws are good for everyone, President Obama’s administration and his allies seem bent on destroying them. 

As I travel around Virginia, I am constantly reminded of the importance of our freedom to work.  Virginians remind me about the companies that have relocated to or expanded in Virginia since we declared that “Virginia is Open for Business!” in 1994.

Others recall those 50,000 Virginians who have left the welfare rolls to find gainful employment.  I often wonder how successful our economic development and ground-breaking welfare reform efforts would have been in a less job-friendly state.

These are not abstract concepts.  These are real jobs created because Virginia respects and protects our Right to Work.

Through executive fiat and the intrusive action of the National Labor Relation Board (NLRB), the Obama administration and their congressional and big labor allies are waging war on private employers under the guise of protecting workers.

They believe that more regulation and government control will protect jobs, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.  Businesses create jobs when entrepreneurs believe that their anticipated return on investment outweighs the risks.

Over-regulation creates uncertainty and additional risk, which in turn stifles investment and diminishes job opportunities.

The threat to Virginia’s jobs from Washington is real, and it must be checked.  From the President’s job-killing monstrous health-care dictates to his gigantic $1.5 trillion tax increase proposal and Executive Orders, bureaucracy and lawsuits trying to tell Boeing where it can build a business, the opponents of our freedom to work are seriously threatening.

That is why I have created a three-part Freedom to Work agenda that will 1) help America’s businesses create jobs; 2) save taxpayers money; and 3) protect the liberty of working men and women.

Read More: http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/2011/10/advancing-new-freedom-work-agenda-america#ixzz1a0W7FT00

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A-Team: Chairman Kaine Do You Think “The Economy Is Improving?”

Oct 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A-Team: Does Tim Kaine agree – like many Americans do – with President Obama when he says we aren’t better off than we were four years ago, or does he side with his successor at the DNC and believe the “economy is improving”?

Click here to read: Chairman Kaine Do You Think “The Economy Is Improving?”

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Chairman Kaine Do You Think “The Economy Is Improving?”

Oct 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 6, 2011

 

Chairman Kaine Do You Think “The Economy Is Improving?”

Henrico, VA – Just days after President Obama admitted that Americans weren’t “better off” than they were on the day he took office, his current Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, contradicted him, saying, “anyone can see the economy is improving.” (CNS News, 10/5/11)

This poses a dilemma for former Chairman Tim Kaine?  Does he agree – like many Americans do – with President Obama when he says we aren’t better off than we were four years ago, or does he side with his successor at the DNC and believe the “economy is improving”?  Let’s lay out some facts and help him decide.

Reasons to side with President Obama and admit that Americans aren’t “better off” …

  • Since the $800 billion stimulus passed, Americans have lost 1.7 million jobs and have seen unemployment stay above 8% for 31 consecutive months.  (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10/3/11)
  • President Obama’s $1.5 trillion government takeover of health care was supposed to reduce costs, but according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey, ObamaCare is actually contributing to higher health care costs for families and businesses. (Fox News, 9/28/11)
  • America’s credit rating was downgraded for the first time in our nation’s history. (Washington Post, 8/6/11) 
  • Zero jobs were created in August and according to a new Gallup survey, the U.S. economy continues to shrink.  (Gallup, 10/5/11)

Reasons to side with current DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz and continue telling Americans we’re on the right track …

  • Chairman Kaine said that the first $800 billion failed stimulus would “jumpstart the economy” and spent the next two and a half years trying to convince Americans it was working. (DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, BarackObamaDotCom YouTube Channel, 2/6/2009)
  • Chairman Kaine said that the $1.5 trillion government takeover of healthcare would be one of the “great achievements” of this President and a “monumental accomplishment.”
  • “[I] think health reform is going to go down in history as one of the great achievements of this President.” (CNN’s “State Of The Union,” 1/2/11)
  • “The passage of reform today is a monumental accomplishment. This historic legislation is further evidence of the change President Obama has been able to bring about.” (Andrew Malcolm, “What Each Said About The Healthcare Vote: Obama, John Boehner, Tim Kaine, Michael Steele,” Los Angeles Times’ Top Of The Ticket Blog, www.latimes.com, Posted 3/22/10)
    • And now Chairman Kaine is supporting the same failed policies that didn’t work the first time – massive job-crushing tax hikes to pay for another nearly $450 billion stimulus package.
  • NBC 12:  “Kaine supports Obama’s jobs plan – including tax reform.” (NBC 12, 9/9/11)
    • AP: “Obama has also recommended a series of tax hikes to pay for his $447 billion job-creation proposal He wants Congress to limit itemized deductions for charitable contributions and other deductions taken by families making over $250,000 a year …” (AP, 9/13/11)

“It’s clear to anyone outside of Washington that the Obama-Kaine agenda has failed and our economy is not improving, but Chairman Kaine and his Washington allies will say whatever it takes to escape responsibility and continue pushing the same failed policies,” said Bill Riggs, Allen campaign spokesman.  “The fact is, Americans have seen 31 consecutive months of unemployment above 8%, 1.7 million jobs lost since the first failed stimulus, and Chairman Kaine is pushing for the same failed policies that we already know don’t work.  Does Chairman Kaine really believe the economy is improving?”

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I’ll be speaking with Rick & Jane at 8:50 am on 1070 AM WINA Charlottesville

Oct 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I’ll be speaking with Rick & Jane at 8:50 am on 1070 AM WINA Charlottesville about my new three-part Freedom to Work agenda which will ensure America’s businesses have every possible tool to create jobs. Click here to listen.

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