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No one is talking about the 'cost of doing business' in the Midwest.
Ohio is ranked 48th in taxes. The cost of natural gas is outragous. (Try heating a plant) Ohio lost a Honda plant to Indiana because of it. (Incredulous because all the suppliers are in this area.)
The problem with the 'workers party' is they believe someone 'owes' them a job (Union slogan:economic security = national security).
John Wayne once said, "I didn't GIVE you a job. I hired you to do the work". My first employer told me that the only thing he owed me was a paycheck at the end of the week for the work I did. Benefits came along as a method to entice workers from the competition or keep them from leaving. Now you can't hire anyone without them (but they couldn't live without them).
I am a small business owner. After thirty years of sacrifice and risk,(everything I made went back into the business) I have never in my life done better than right now. Sec 179 allowed me to reinvest in my business and HSA allows me to offer employees a benefit. Thank you, George W Bush.
But now that I've accumulated 'wealth'(mainly commercial facilities=garages mortgage free) I fear Democrats like Ted Strickland and Sherrod Brown.

Good points. Especially the 'tax part'.

States with 'no income tax' are more attractive than ever--better job markets, better business environment, and no state income taxes.

I honor your 'entrepreneurship'. Small business owners are the backbone of our economy--something that liberals just don't realize. Our tax code should REWARD people like you,,,NOT PENALIZE YOU!

Unfortunately, states in the Midwest like Ohio are now addicted to big government (hence their high taxes and high COST OF DOING BUSINESS) due largely to legacy costs resulting from high rates of unionization combined with the hemorrhaging of our industrial base. The high taxes and 'high cost of doing business' only serves to drive more people out of the area (in particular its most productive citizens like you).

It's a vicious circle that I don't see a solution for--other than lower taxes to help existing businesses grow--and new businesses to come to the Midwest. Unfortunately, those types of politicians will find it almost impossible to get elected in states that continue to get BLUER by the day.

Mild Thread Hi-Jack here:
This man here is the type of small business owner I keep referencing on the Minimum Wage threads. (not trying to put words in your mouth here). If the dems get their $7.25 an hour minimum through you can look at small businesses having fewer folks on staff, or if the margins get too small, the government mandates benefits that aren't affordable, or their taxes rise too much these businesses will close.

Thirty years of scrimping and living day to day, and it is in jeopardy.

IMO:
I think the current Congress should have passed an increased minimum wage maybe $5.50 or $5.75 to kill the issue, ten years between changes is probably too long. The republican Congress sat on their hands and the minimum wage is a reason (not THE reason, but a reason) why Stretch Pelosi and Dingy Harry will be in charge come January.