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garageman's Blog

by garageman from Milwaukee

Last Post 8 days, 11 hours Ago


Let them eat cake!
Jul 22, 2008 | 9:04 AM
Category: News
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PAID SICK DAYS

Ask anyone who owns a business in Milwaukee...the City of Milwaukee has created a hostile business environment and continues to drive nails in the "economic suicide" coffin for small businesses located or considering locating in Milwaukee.  On the one hand city leadership cries for jobs, jobs, and more jobs.  Then they come to you and do everything in their power to dissuade you from doing business in Milwaukee.  They want to approve your business plan like they've loaned you money or something.  They want to tell you that you need a fence here and a bush there.  Now they want to require me to provide benefits to employees that I and many other business owners simply cannot afford to provide.  To quote Ross Perot, "If this passes your going to hear a giant sucking sound and that'll be your jobs leaving (Milwaukee)."  It makes my blood boil to think about it!  People who have never run a business, and have no clue what it takes to run a business, think the more they interfere with business the more business will thrive.  What's worse, even though it's only a vote to send the question to referendum, it's expected to pass and face a challenge in court.  Is this a wise use of taxpayer's money?  To pass ordinances that they know or at least suspect might be unconstitutional and will have to be defended in court at taxpayer's expense?  The last time I can remember the City of Milwaukee being hauled into court for violating constitutional rights they settled out of court for $6,000,000.00 (that's six million dollars friends).  Things weren't even this bad for local businesses when the elected mayor was a socialist!  He was also a businessman, and as a businessman knew that the running of the city was a business.  City hall needs to wake up and realize that they are driving jobs and business away from Milwaukee!

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Member Comments Total Comments: 9
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Earwig read my blog
Jul 22, 2008 | 1:00 PM

It's just part of the plan g-man. The Socialists will relentlesly use their hammers, and sickles on the foundation of America until those who are "not" indoctrinated are outnumbered by those weak minds who are, until the country crumbles from the weight of entitlement. The ethic of achiving your goals through hard work is slowly being replaced by the belief that the Government will provide all that is necessary. It's Orwell's 1984 plus 24.
hahnmeister read my blog
Jul 22, 2008 | 4:06 PM

I agree, its a half-assed regulation. If they are going to require something, then they need to provide some means of getting it without putting the burden on you. This could mean a state health care system, subsidy or tax credits, etc. If HR 676 goes through, then you wont even have to worry... you wont have to pay anymore...lol.

I might believe in socialized programs for certain things, but only things that benefit everyone... like military, police, fire protection, health care, and possibly education. The government shouldnt just say 'you pay' without providing some benefit to you for it.
aaro-nf read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 5:49 PM

all i can saty is that you did a great job on the posting of this blog.
desertwindrider read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 7:45 PM

On one hand, benefits are expensive; so is paying someone's wages. I understand this.

On the other hand, employers should invest in their employees. Not providing basic benefits (i.e., health insurance benefits) is not doing your business any good, either. You want good, healthy employees.

Employees are resources, the same as your building and property and your work equipment. You need to take care of your employees the same as you care for your business.

Another case for socialized medicine in this country. And that is another can of worms.
garageman read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 8:44 PM

Here's the thing...there's no double standard at my place of business. The hired help doesn't have health insurance, paid sick days or paid vacations and NEITHER DO I! Why? Because I can't afford it. For me to have the financial wherewithall to be able to afford it I would have to raise the price of the services that I provide so high that my customers would go elsewhere. It's the most basic of simple economics. Therefore, if I am FORCED by local government to provide benefits I cannot currently provide...I will be FORCED to raise my prices to the point where my customers will seek the services I provide from another vendor outside the City of Milwaukee where the services can be provided at less cost. Where does that leave me? OUT OF BUSINESS! I can't relocate without selling my current place of business and it'll be slim pickens trying to find someone willing to locate their business at my current location. Between the near collapse of the real estate market, and a municipal government that doesn't know how to get out of the way of business and let it succeed. Then I'll default on the mortgages on my business and my home, become a statistic, and go on the government dole. Is that what I want? NO! But apparently it's what the City of Milwaukee wants.
F0x6Fan read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 6:28 AM

I agree with desertwinder, small businesses are caught in a catch-22, the problem is the people who blatantly abuse these benefits. This inevitably bankrupts private companies which are so reluctant to provide them because like garageman said, he will have to raise the price of services which will drive consumers away.
slnass read my blog
Jul 23, 2008 | 2:32 PM

Where I work,if you call in the first say you don't get sick pay,but if you call in the second day you can receive 8 hours of paid sick time with a doctors excuse.It's the most idiotic thing I have ever heard.Oh yeah,I work at the biggest company in the world.Just guess
hahnmeister read my blog
Jul 23, 2008 | 7:37 PM

Perhaps HR676 is something to consider... it would eliminate the burden employers face.

OTOH, just an idea, but isnt there some means of 'restructuring' your business garageman? Perhaps you could fire all your 'employees' and make them all 'consultants', which are paid on a case by case basis? This way, they are responsible for their own benefits. Of course, it means you give up some control over them, but in the long run... if they want to make money...
wfbdoglover read my blog view my photos
Aug 5, 2008 | 8:28 AM

I suppose this minimum wage increase is really going to put you over the edge.
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garageman

Navy veteran, Milwaukee business owner, resident & cancer survivor. My name is Dan Sebring and I'm a write-in candidate for Congress in the 4th Congressional District. You can learn more about me at dansebringforcongress.com

Member Since: 2/6/2008


 

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