[G Larry]

If you want a successful business start up, you better be promoting Bambi’s agenda.

[Leaning Right]

Awhile back I was reading about a lady who wanted to open up an ice cream shop in a mall. I wish I could remember where it was, might have been in California. Anyway, she had the place rented, and had her employees ready to go. All she needed was the various permits. Six months after signing the lease, she was still waiting for the permits.

Permits...regulations...taxation...it’s a wonder anyone tries to open a new business these days.

[neefer]

There are probably small new businesses that are dealing in cash and under the radar. I recently watched a video made by a guy in Georgia who deals in storage unit auctions and other means of making cash. He gave a list of 25 ways to make money without getting a job. Scrap metal, Etsy, cannabis cultivation - there are many ways people are making money and not reporting it.

[Jim from C-Town]

There are so many regulations and so many taxes on every level that it is almost impossible to open a new business without running afoul of the law or going broke trying to follow all the regulations.

Welfare pays better, so does McDonald’s.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Why do they think Hillary is making such a fortune? To start up anything in America today, you have to be politically connected. Its a real tragedy.

[1Old Pro]

The Obama recession has crippled our economy and small businesses.

[Lady Heron]

Try and deal with all the regulations. You need a ton of money and a great lawyer. Start up businesses in some industries are only for the big guys....and that was the point to all these regulations, it destroys the American dream for the little guy.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Crony Capitalism has triumphed. Big Business has managed to buy enough regulation in Washington to keep Small Business from bothering them.

[Mr. Jeeves]

As a small business owner, my #1 problem in the Obama economy is discouraged consumers. People are scared to spend. When they do, they prefer cheap and barely functional items over more expensive quality items. Since most small retailers can't do the volume needed to survive selling low-priced products they are fading out of existence - and rather than benefiting much from this trend, Walmart and the dollar stores are just treading water.

The aspirational middle class of 2005 or so has virtually disappeared. The top 10% are still spending, but there is a lot of competition for their dollars.

[Organic Panic]

As a small manufacturer I can confirm the current climate is terrible. Every time you turn around there is someone from government with their hand out.

The best is to get a home shop and keep it all on the down low. Pay your taxes but don’t let the city, county, state, or feds know anything more than absolutely needed. When asked always say “consulting.”