We need our customers to be (or at least feel) financially secure - with their jobs, with their homes, with their pensions.

The store was doing pretty well before the financial meltdown. We're in a small town outside a big city. In a Main Street type environment, you get to know the customers pretty well. They wouldn't just come in to shop, it was sort of a gathering place for local moms - something to do before the bigger kids get home from school. It was what you'd imagine a mom & pop to be like, if you ever dreamed of opening one.

In the Summer of '08, we outgrew our space - got a loan from the city and did a small renovation in a much bigger building right in the center of town. Everybody thought it was a good move. Articles were written about it in the local paper. We even received an award from a national small business association. Things were looking good.

Just a few months later, that all changed by about December of '08. People still came into the store, but a sense of hesitance started creeping into the atmosphere. Credit card sales down, layaways way up. Instead of it being a place for people to escape, the racks of clothing (some of is not cheap) has become a reminder to them that some belt tightening is needed. Little by little, more regular customers would go straight to clearance rack if they were shopping - and the clearance rack got pretty big that season. Maybe it's a bit of shame and guilt, but they're not sticking around to chit-chat so much anymore, either. More people are returning items, others even try to negotiate discounts. Some just quit coming in altogether. It's awkward when you run into them at the grocery store.

Yesterday my wife had to cut her sisters' hours (one is a single mom) - this is after she had to lay off two other part-time staffers last Summer. She's been drawing no pay herself for over a year now, and now has to work longer hours. I'm not even going to get into my situation (working for another small business), but let's just say we can save on child care expenses with me being around the house alot more this past month.

I'm pretty sure her business will no longer even qualify for a tax break. I've got to give them credit for trying - free marketing stuff like Facebook and email-lists. Holding special events and publicizing them in the paper. Sale after sale - sometimes at a loss. Margins have become just slim enough to pay the outstanding invoices. Even though she can say she's tried everything, my wife can't help but feel that she made a horrible mistake when we took that loan to expand. This is no fun anymore, but at the same time, it's hard to admit that it's over. It's getting past the time to close the doors, and every day is like another punch in the gut. I've been ready to take the loss and end the painful and prolonged withering, but it's not my call to make.

Our "neighbors" - the shop owners in the same area - are all going through something similar. This has been our new "community" - a support group that is completely out of ideas, so things quickly turn into a pity party and partial hate-fest against the Chamber who's idea of economic development is to lure in the next big box store to the long-vacant open space uptown. But that's where our customers shop now when they need something. We simply can't compete on price with the mass market retailers.

It kind of makes me wonder what the pols say when they talk about helping small business. What kind of small business do they have in mind? How will we be able to create or preserve jobs from a tax cut, if our customers are dropping like flies?

If Congress MUST make a choice between tax cuts and job growth, PLEASE pick jobs. Our customers need them!

Nominate Justin Coussoule for Grassroots AllStars! The Democracy of America Campaign would sure give his campaign a boost. Right now he's been off the radar - stumping alot locally - but could really use some national backing.

http://www.grassrootsallstars.com/coussoul...

C'mon - It's just one click (and a little bit of typing)!

This was posted on several friends' profiles today:

"No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick. If you agree, please post this as your status for the rest of the day."

After I posted it on mine, several more friends followed. Not sure who else has seen this yet, but it wouldn't hurt to participate, if you're on Facebook.

If they can't even make it look good in their ads...

Dirty on Purpose is one of my favorite bands. If you haven't heard them, you can listen here: http://www.myspace.com/dirtyonpurpose

I've learned that even the little lies people tell destroys your credibility and respect.

I've learned that you DO need to take your job seriously.

I've learned that people DO need to be politically involved.

I've learned that I musn't be complacent, and must always be informed and vigilant.

I've learned to be more discriminating about the information I get.

I've learned to question why people say and do what they say and do.

I've learned to judge people by their actions - not their words.

I've learned to walk the walk - not just talk the talk.

I've learned that government really does affect your daily life.

I've learned that we need to live more modestly.

I've learned that I need to listen more.

I've learned that how you treat others is the most important indication of your character.

I've learned that being religious guarantees nothing.

I've learned that the guy you want to have a beer with is not the same guy you want in charge.

I've learned to be more like the guy you want in charge.

I've learned that the rat race is stacked against you.

I've learned that the lifesyle sold to us on TV is crap made in China.

I've learned that I have to be "that other guy" who will stand up and fix the problems.

I've learned that there are no great countries - only great people.