National Catholic Reporter

The Independent News Source

The Small Business Job Creation Myth

Fran Tarkenton, the legendary quarterback, is not a baby. Nor is he an expert, so I am unsure why he was a guest last night on the Sean Hannity show. But, out of his mouth came something that spoke the unintended truth. I cannot find a transcript online, but essentially Tarkenton said that while small businesses will create millions of new jobs each year, mature, large businesses lose jobs every year.

Everyone, Democrat and Republican alike, worships at the small business altar, but Tarkenton unintentionally gave away a dirty secret: One of the reasons new small businesses create such an inordinate amount of new jobs is that small business open, then fail, and then start anew all the time. Every new start entails “new” hiring. So, the next time you hear someone blab on about job creation and small businesses, ask them about job loss and small businesses. Somehow, that never makes the news.

I have nothing against small businesses and I ran one for 17 years. But they are not the be-all and end-all of our economic woes.

NCR Comment code:

  • Be respectful. Do not attack the writer. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the original idea may be deleted.

We are not able to monitor every comment that comes through. If you see something objectionable, please click the "Report abuse" button. Once a comment has been flagged, an NCR staff member will investigate.

For more detailed guidelines, visit our User Guidelines page.

For help on how to post a comment, visit our reference page.

Sisters' Stories; read more

NCR Email Alerts

 

In This Issue

May 10-23, 2013

May10-cover.jpg

Not all of our content is online. Subscribe to receive all the news and features you won't find anywhere else.