>I started a business, which failed, and got some perspective on how hard small business in the US can be, and how unsupportive this country is in certain ways.

>I started a business, which failed, and got some perspective on how hard small business in the US can be, and how unsupportive this country is in certain ways. Taxes and health care are a nightmare when you're bootstrapping a small business. And I have literally nothing to complain about, I was so lucky compared to the position your father's in, I can't really imagine how hard starting and sustaining a gardening business is when you have a family. This is one of the many things that irk me about how Republicans sell their business rhetoric to their people. They're always talking about small businesses but it seems evident there's little they want to do to actually help small businesses. Decoupling healthcare from employment would save money for businesses that have employees as well as make it easier for people that want to start a business to leave jobs where there's that 'health care security'. I can't speak too much to taxes but it seems silly that here in CA to have a business you pay $800/yr to the franchise tax board. I'm sure you have further stories about how that becomes even more complex as the business grows. I believe this is why the 'keep the government out of my business' line of thinking appeals to people and makes them think Republicans have their interests at heart (evidence points otherwise but still...). It becomes very complicated and expensive very quickly.