To All My Valued Employees,

[FMD]

I didnt write this, but it sums up the future of American business pretty well.

"To All My Valued Employees,

There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.

However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests.


First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a back story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my big home at last years Christmas party. I'm sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.


However, what you don't see is the back story.


I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.

My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.

Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the Goodwill store extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.

So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden -- the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations... You never realize the back story and the sacrifices I've made.

Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.

Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds.

Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why:

I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.

The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.

The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.

Here is what many of you don't understand ... to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now.

When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.

So where am I going with all this?


It's quite simple.

If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I fire you. I fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem any more.

Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.

If you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about....

Signed,

Your boss"

[leftWNYbecauseofBS]

A little extreme but some good points. This has been passed around for a while.

Taxes only work when you have things to tax.

I am seeing an interesting trend in my industry where companies are moving towards independent contractors. Instead of paying people for a job description, they are paying for work performed.

Now for those with solid work ethics, this is a positive. They are making more money than they were before and are getting better tax breaks.

However, in one of my meet up groups, there is some kickback from other workers. Mainly those who find frustration in going at it on their own. They do not have the skills to budget on a per job basis and are unable to cope with the stress of not having a steady income.

[Dougles]

I'd love to know who wrote this!!

[Save Us]

I would love every liberal, obama loving socialist to read this article and comment.

I am practically in tears, this article speaks to the heart of anyone that busts their butt to make something of themselves and invest in a country that is in the process of turning their back on the machine that MAKES IT ALL POSSIBLE.

BRAVO BRAVO!!!!

[justKel]

Very few modern corporations start this way anymore.

[MERL J]

I would love every liberal, obama loving socialist to read this article and comment.

I am practically in tears, this article speaks to the heart of anyone that busts their butt to make something of themselves and invest in a country that is in the process of turning their back on the machine that MAKES IT ALL POSSIBLE.

BRAVO BRAVO!!!!

Ah, this has been an ongoing diatribe on the internet for a while. Obama takes office at Noon tomorrow. If anything, look to the Cheney regime for the cause of this.

[yokes]

Very few modern corporations start this way anymore.

they magically appear?

every business had to start somewhere

Google? Microsoft? Dell?

[justKel]

they magically appear?

every business had to start somewhere

Google? Microsoft? Dell?

I've owned a small business, I know how many get their start. But many more corporations today are started by groups of investors. No $300 apartment, no Ramen Noodles, yada yada.

[yokes]

I've owned a small business, I know how many get their start. But many more corporations today are started by groups of investors. No $300 apartment, no Ramen Noodles, yada yada.

Out of the blue? no-one put together a business plan or anything?

I'm not saying the above diatribe is accurate for every business. but I am confident in saying every successful business started with a someones idea and sweat equity

[Save Us]

Very few modern corporations start this way anymore.

yeah, but the biggest employers in the US are small businesses and I can assure you most of them started this way

[Save Us]

Ah, this has been an ongoing diatribe on the internet for a while. Obama takes office at Noon tomorrow. If anything, look to the Cheney regime for the cause of this.

Yes and those that came before and before. I too am glad that Bush and Cheney are gone,, but much harm can come from over correcting a situation.

I just cant see how taxing and redistribution are going to "fix" anything as this editorial/letter so poignantly directs.

nevertheless a great great letter,, we often forget who and what is actually the engine that generates the means for redistribution and government.

[Save Us]

Moog,, one of the most successful technical employers in WNY started in Bill Moog's garage many decades ago..

Walmart the world's largest retailer started off as a mom and pop.


sorry Kel,, gotta disagree with ya on this one.

[WNYresident]

I've owned a small business, I know how many get their start. But many more corporations today are started by groups of investors. No $300 apartment, no Ramen Noodles, yada yada.

Thats what you think. A lot of business started this way and still do.

[justKel]

Out of the blue? no-one put together a business plan or anything?

I'm not saying the above diatribe is accurate for every business. but I am confident in saying every successful business started with a someones idea and sweat equity

Of course there's a business plan. And sure, many companies are started with that $300 apartment and such, but more and more are started with old money and investors to back them up.

Anyway, I was simply throwing a thought into the muddle, specifically addressing the part about why the executives drive luxury cars and own big houses. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with making a really good living if you're a savvy businessperson. But some of the salaries of modern executives are completely outrageous, and for the average worker I don't see any benefit of a more capitalist government than a socialist one. If corporations want the average citizen to embrace capitalism then they need to make it worth the workers' while. When you're sitting back leeching off the backs of your employees, making millions while your employees are barely able to pay their basic bills, then socialism starts looking mighty enticing.

If this country indeed turns to socialism, Corporate America only has itself to blame for it. People are tired of working their asses off and still barely able to make their bills. Sure, the government is to blame for some of it, but when people realize that getting a government benefit is easier and less risky than asking for a raise, then they're going to go for the government benefit.

[WNYresident]

Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.

What's the point after awhile...

What I really dislike are IDA's who give tax breaks to companies already in WNY. Why give one one person an advantage over the rest.

Lower taxes for all..... Not the select few...

I lived above my shop for 5 years. Two 12 X 12 rooms for the most part and worked 7 days a week for years.. . but people tell me I'm lucky I own a business. Luck has nothing to do with it.