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You're totally right. However, the greater danger right now is apathy, that people don't consider this a worthwhile use of their political time. We also got a

You're totally right. However, the greater danger right now is apathy, that people don't consider this a worthwhile use of their political time. We also got a good amount of 'old media' press yesterday and today, which will be a post-SXSW roundup post when I get back home. Also, putting the call out for more startup stories. SXSW has been great for building out a backlog, but there's always a need for more.

crux_ 16y ago
I'm going to play devils' advocate: > people don't consider this a worthwhile use of their political time Is this actually a worthwhile use of political time, given the relative magnitude(s) of the issues facing the House & Senate?
- HistoryInAction 16y ago
  Good point. I think it is valuable. This is not an issue that should require much negotiating, as it is simply lowering the government-imposed barriers to creating companies. Building political support will take a lot of my time but not the politicians, so the use of their time is slight. Of course, last year, the bill was introduced and just ignored, so we'll see if a more public campaign by the startup community rather than just a handful of VCs is more effective.
- iamelgringo 16y ago
  I was just speaking with someone at the Kauffman foundation yesterday. Their research says that the vast majority of new job formation in the US economy comes from companies less than 5 years old. And, out of those new jobs from young companies, 40% of those come from high growth technology sectors of various flavors. 50 to 60% of startups in Silicon Valley are founded by immigrants, or the children of immigrants. Getting motivated, smart entrepreneurs in to this country is a no brainer way to jump start the economy, especially since capital is relatively easy to come by for new companies.
  - HistoryInAction 16y ago
    Link re: Kauffman jobs - http://www.kauffman.org/uploadedFiles/firm_formation_importance_of_startups.pdf http://www.kauffman.org/uploadedFiles/firm_formation_importa...

crux_ 16y ago

I'm going to play devils' advocate: > people don't consider this a worthwhile use of their political time Is this actually a worthwhile use of political time, given the relative magnitude(s) of the issues facing the House & Senate?

HistoryInAction 16y ago
Good point. I think it is valuable. This is not an issue that should require much negotiating, as it is simply lowering the government-imposed barriers to creating companies. Building political support will take a lot of my time but not the politicians, so the use of their time is slight. Of course, last year, the bill was introduced and just ignored, so we'll see if a more public campaign by the startup community rather than just a handful of VCs is more effective.
iamelgringo 16y ago
I was just speaking with someone at the Kauffman foundation yesterday. Their research says that the vast majority of new job formation in the US economy comes from companies less than 5 years old. And, out of those new jobs from young companies, 40% of those come from high growth technology sectors of various flavors. 50 to 60% of startups in Silicon Valley are founded by immigrants, or the children of immigrants. Getting motivated, smart entrepreneurs in to this country is a no brainer way to jump start the economy, especially since capital is relatively easy to come by for new companies.
- HistoryInAction 16y ago
  Link re: Kauffman jobs - http://www.kauffman.org/uploadedFiles/firm_formation_importance_of_startups.pdf http://www.kauffman.org/uploadedFiles/firm_formation_importa...