In a resounding plea for respite, a recent survey of over 70,000 small business owners, conducted by RedBalloon and PublicSquare, has unearthed a surprising consensus: more than half believe their businesses would fare better if Congress were to shut down for a year, eschewing new legislation.
The Revelation
When presented with the dichotomy of scenarios, respondents expressed their disillusionment with Washington's impact on small businesses. A mere 23.1% believed their enterprises would thrive under a bipartisan spending package to boost the economy, while a staggering 54.8% advocated for Congress to take a hiatus with no new legislation.
Key Findings
Party Trustworthiness:
Confidence in Elected Leaders:
Approach to Spending and Debt Issues:
If D.C. Managed a Business
RedBalloon CEO Andrew Crapuchettes said that "If Washington managed a business the way they operate the government, they'd be out of business." This response echoes the overarching sentiment of the survey, with 66% of small businesses expressing distrust in both political parties' ability to steer the US economy in the right direction.
Small Business Push Back
Small businesses are speaking up, decrying the continual capitulation to what they perceive as corrupt policies and the prevailing inaction. Drawing a stark analogy, the survey suggests that if only 0.1% of employees were confident in management's capabilities, the business would face an inevitable downfall.
It's a plea born out of common sense for these business owners, who grapple with these harsh realities daily. Their demand is clear: take action and take it soon. With the holiday season approaching, the last thing on their wish list is more government spending confusion.
Methodology:
The findings are part of the monthly Freedom Economy Index, a collaborative effort between PublicSquare and RedBalloon.work. The October 2023 survey, with a 3% margin of error at the 95% confidence level, sampled over 70,000 small businesses from October 25-30.