One of the side effects of “owning” a Radio show (DaTechGuy on DaRadio Saturdays 9 p.m. AM 830 WCRN btw) is the necessity of selling advertising for it. Thus I have been going door to door to local businesses telling them about the show and offering ads for current and future shows.
During these visits I always ask the business people this question: “I’m making you president/governor for the day. What would you do to help business and turn the economy around?”
With very few exceptions (a progressive book store and a location that suggested “Kill all the republicans”) the answer nearly always the same:
- “Cut the taxes”
- “The regulations are killing me”
- “The unemployment extensions are murder”
- “The health-care requirements make it too expensive to hire”
- “The state is nickel and dimeing me to death.”
If you went to a tea party meeting you would hear every single one of these sentiments spoken aloud; but these were not tea partiers, they were mechanics, car dealerships, accountants, dry cleaners, manufacturers big and small, tire stores, restaurants, diners, barber shops, liquor stores, dentists and doctors, car washes, computer repair guys, investment specialists and even tutors.
They were from every place and of every race with accents from a heavy Spanish to an Irish brogue. They were Oriental, Italian, Greek, black, French, WASPS; immigrants and native born, Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, Muslims and atheists, straight and Gay, all trying to earn a living in the land of opportunity clashing with a state and federal government seemingly doing its best to retard their success. One man spoke for them all yesterday saying: “I just need government to get out of my way so I can run my business!”
I submit that if a congressman, state rep or MSM reporter came with me for a week door to door; they would not dare advocate the taxes, spending and regulation that they do.
Yesterday the Tea Party scored a seminal victory in the senate when Harry Reid with a 58-42 majority was unable to advance an omnibus spending bill full of earmarks and favors for members. It is considered a huge victory for the tea party (whose members aren’t even seated yet) but it is a victory shared and cheered by small businessmen all over Worcester County who may at last conclude that their voices are being heard.
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