Nat'l Federation of Independent Business...A labor day story.

[fencesitter]

As a small biz owner I joined this organization years ago as a matter of course and each year a representative stops by to tell of the wonderful accomplishments of their lobbying and what's up for the next year. A glossy publication is produced with questionaires, results of how congress voted, and grassroots action updates.
"NFIB has worked tirelessly and relentlessly to kill the White House's employer mandated health insurance plan in 1994, convinced congress to repeal the Clinton Ergonomic Regulation, and drive the fight for permanent "death tax" repeal. Now we're focused on making pres. Bush's tax cuts permanent and seeking for caps on legal damages to stop those evil trial lawyers", gushed my rep. Another big item on the agenda is to reduce OSHA to an advisory educator and not a safety enforcer. I look through the "How congress voted" on issues affecting small biz, and although political party is not listed, I see all dems in my state get an "unfriendly" rating and the repubs mostly get "friend of small business" rating. He gives me the Survey: "DO I oppose or favor permanent elimination of the federal death tax?" You mean the inheretance tax? oppose. "oppose or favor immediately implementing income tax reductions currently scheduled to take effect in 2006?" What, the deficit isn't big enough? oppose. When he asked me what proposal to reform health care I most favor, a b c or d, I mentioned none of the above but said Single-payer Nat'l Health Care, his eyes popped out and landed on my counter.
The last question he asked was "What is the biggest challenge you face in your business?" I wanted to say getting you and your organization out of my establishment, but I bit my tongue and relied something non-commital. The end of the story is I didn't renew my membership and I told the guy I didn't believe in a lot of the issues NFIB stands for. Any one else here deal with these guys? they are huge and a force to be reckoned with, and although they claim to be non-partisan I don't see any democrat getting a flattering endorsment.

[gratuitous]

1. I'd suggest . . .

First, terrific story, and I liked the image of the eyeballs popping out.

Next, though, is to see how much NFIB truly represents the small business owner. Though you've let your membership lapse, perhaps you should reconsider and attend their local meetings. Actually . . . do they have local meetings? Is the national organization interested in listening to actual independent business owners and carrying out their wishes, or are they peddling an agenda? You may be able to effect some change from within if there's an avenue for your voice to be heard.