Government, Politics and the Economy
The Obama Financial Plan: Let the Games Begin
The sides are drawn-up and the combatants are set, ready to do battle over Obama's proposals for the Fed, financial regulation and much more. Poll: Too Much Intervention? BusinessWeek.com
Should the Government Back High-Potential Start-Ups?
If the answer is 'yes', then venture-backed companies across the country should be eligible for federal innovation grants. NYTi...
By Charles M Cooper · June 18 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
The Stimulus Bill: Small Business Tax Provisions
Experts explain how the new law will provide tax relief to small companies. BusinessWeek.com
Problems With Small Business Loans
The erosion of small business lending is threatening the recovery of the US economy, and will load banks with greater losses over the next year. Wall Street Journal
Making It In America
By Charles M Cooper · February 23 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
Ledbetter Wage Bill Passes Senate
The Lilly Ledbetter Bill, a wage discrimination bill that presages the pro-labor stance of the Democratic-controlled Congress and White House, has cleared the Senate and could be signed by President Obama within days.
Unions vs. Business: An Early Test for Obama
President Obama is facing an early important test—card-check—the Employee Free Choice Act. It is a key goal for Labor, which is hoping for action this spring; but that has some other Obama allies—seeing the reaction of business interests—very wor...
By Charles M Cooper · January 23 2009
small business brief, small business, economy, insurance
Government and Economy
Would a Payroll Tax Holiday Boost Employment and Spending? Taking a six-month holiday from the federal government's 6.2% payroll tax would reduce labor costs to small businesses and help prevent layoffs, says a major small business organization in a recent pitch to Congress.
Consumer Price Drop Greater Than ExpectedA record plunge in consumer prices in November puts pressure on the Federal Reserve to act decisively to guard against a debilitating bout of deflation.
Probe: Small Business Funds Squandered...
By Charles M Cooper · December 16 2008
small business brief, small business, partnerships, customer relations
Government and Economy
Business Structure and the Obama Tax Plan President-elect Barack Obama has indicated that he may hold off on his plan to raise taxes, but if Obama goes through with his plan, how hard a business is affected will depend on how it is structured.
New Presentations on IRS.gov
IRS.gov now features video and audio presentations on a variety of topics for small businesses and self-employed taxpayers.
IRS Schedule C Podcast
By Charles M Cooper · December 10 2008
small business brief, small business, productivity, email
Politics and Government
Major Challenges for Obama Health Reform Plan With declining employment and a tough economy, Presid ent-elect Obama's health care reform plan is facing mounting challenges—more people to losing coverage; baby boomers signing-up for Medicare; rising prescription drug prices—even as PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates the cost of Obama's plan to be around $75 billion in 2009 and rising as more people are covered.
Southern Senators From States With Foreign Carmakers Oppose GM, Ford Rescue Senators from southern states with Asian and European car manufacturers oppose bailing out U.S. automakers, claiming that the industry can thrive with...
By Charles M Cooper · November 17 2008
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Politics and Government
Post-Election Hope on Health and Fear on Unions The election of Barack Obama as president presents small businesses with an opportunity for health care reform but an imminent threat on labor issues. That was the assessment of small business groups that congratulated Obama on his election victory and pledged to work with him to restore the economy.
Obama Team Debates Initial Priorities President-elect Barack Obama and his advisers are debating whether to press forward with economic-recovery initiatives individually or to attempt change on several fronts at the same time.
By Charles M Cooper · November 10 2008
small business brief, small business, productivity, sales
There are all sorts of things that happen in the workplace—love affairs, betting pools, competition for prime office space, discussions over trivial things that turn into squabbles over trivial things and, yes, even a bit of productive work—but one thing that seems to be on the rise is religious tension among coworkers.
In a recent survey by the Institute for Corporate Productivity, a third of the employers who participated said that they had seen personal clashes in the workplace over religion. What’s more, 31% reported that the unsolicited sharing of religious views has been a problem in their companies and that 13% said that they have employees who, because of their religious beliefs, refused to do certain work or associate with certain co-workers.
Ah! America in the 21st Century. What’s next? Will we see vegetarians refusing to work with carnivores? How about cat people eschewing dog people? Maybe we’ll have to deal with liberals...
By Charles M Cooper · July 10 2008
small business, religion, conflict, productivity
