While San Benito County’s leadership may change, we face the
same systemic problems with an over bearing, out-of-control berserk
government. California is still a business-unfriendly place,
ranking 49th worst state according to Forbes Magazine. Only Hawaii
is worse for business.
Editor,

While San Benito County’s leadership may change, we face the same systemic problems with an over bearing, out-of-control berserk government. California is still a business-unfriendly place, ranking 49th worst state according to Forbes Magazine. Only Hawaii is worse for business.

It is especially our small business and very small business owners who feel the brunt of the confiscatory taxation, burdensome regulations and litigation morass fighting against government agencies whose attorneys’ fees are paid for by the small business owners and taxpayers. It is no wonder that investors seek opportunities like Native American Tribes, exempt from law, regulation and rules that suffocate and strangle the rest of us.

County and city governments, and their agencies like redevelopment agencies and MPOs like COG use eminent domain and other powers to gut business owners’ dreams.

From our congressman saying that he would “nationalize the railroads as part of homeland security,” to the state’s High Speed Rail Authority (Bullet-in-the-Brain Train) to SBC and Hollister’s redevelopment agency seizing land for “public purposes,” we can see why investors would rather invest elsewhere than California’s Small Business Killing Fields.

Our government’s extreme taxation/regulation levels deter job-creating business. I think that it is time that the voters demand that our government back off. The small business owners, who represent 88 percent of SBC’s employers, deserve some relief from the oppression that our government imposes. This could start with some policy changes in the 2005 county Regional Transportation Plan, to be adopted by COG this week. Caveat Viator!

Joseph P. Thompson, Tres Pinos.

Previous articleHi
Next articleGraduated but not educated: many students slide by
A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here