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Small Businesses: The Heart of the Matter
Presidential campaigns have long romanticised small businesses, like diners and record stores, to showcase authenticity. However, in this election cycle, these businesses are being taken quite seriously. Perhaps more seriously than ever before.
Vice President Harris and Her Entrepreneurial Emphasis
Vice President Kamala Harris seems to be weaving entrepreneurship into the very fabric of her campaign. Her economic policy platform mentions "small business" no less than 77 times. For more specifics, the policy includes reducing licensing requirements and increasing federal contracts for small enterprise owners. In her speeches and advertisements, her capitalist leanings are distinctive, but aimed at uplifting the little guy.
A Knack for Small Business Appreciation
Why the focus on Main Street, you ask? Research by Gallup and Pew reveals that small businesses are the most respected institution in American life. Focusing on this admiration, Ms. Harris might also dilute former President Donald J. Trump’s image as a successful businessman. After all, his reputation manages to linger, despite his bankruptcies and fraudulent practices.
Engaging with Authenticity
Harris’s connection to small businesses is not a newfound love affair. During her vice presidency, she was deeply involved, rolling out billions in loans through the American Rescue Plan Act. She’s often known to speak about her “second mother," Regina Shelton, who owned a nursery school in Berkeley, California, as a small-business stalwart and a cornerstone in her community.
Supporting Tomorrow’s Entrepreneur
“Kamala’s economic plans are designed to help people like Mrs. Shelton," says Felicia Wong, head of the progressive advocacy group Roosevelt Forward. The aim is to ensure individuals have enough to start a business or leave a legacy for their children. The sincerity of these plans resonates with many and underscores her commitment to fostering entrepreneurship.
Conclusion: A Path Forward
Transitioning into the future, the nation’s leaders will benefit from aligning their visions with the interests of small enterprises. Building a robust economy from the grassroots might be the touchstone this election cycle. Supporting small businesses today may well lay the groundwork for a more prosperous tomorrow.