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I just hired 3 more employees (20% increase)and looking for another...and this is in New York State, where the economy supposedly is the most hard hit.

It's tough to find good employees in these parts and we are finding that we have to coax them with higher pay.

BTW..only one of these new people was "unemployed" when we found him, and he had a choice of many jobs to take at the time.

Democrats claim that there are millions of jobs lost over the past three years. Where are all these people?

Exactly!

The household survey shows 200+k people have started small businesses. Eventually, they, like you, me, cripplecreek, others, hire other people. The Dems ignore this figure.

Maybe every time there is an editorial or article on this issue, small business owners should write their own letter to the editor.

1) We all need several skill sets, from high tech to garage manufaturing. If you have a small business, you start out doing everything yourself, gaining skills. Then, w/success, you hire and train others to do these jobs. Those people gain more skills and some will go out and begin their own businesses.

2) We all need to remain flexible and be aware we will change careers several times in our lifetime. I am on my 4th product line over a period of 40 years, for example and I have a couple of other skills that earn me money during the slow period for my manufacturing business.

For anyone w/an idea and the energy to go w/it, right now used machine tools are affordable...although not as affordable as they were a couple of years ago. I know a small business begun 25 years ago that has upgraded their machinery this way. BTW, they went from manufacturing in a barn to having several factory floors. Their biggest problem is finding workers w/a work ethic.

10 years ago, some people we worked with began their own manufacturing business. They needed some parts fabricated. The machine shop they used is desperate for tool-and-die men (in Milwaukee). Several retired/laid off tool-and-die guys are working for them on contract, as needed. They are like gold.

Cripplecreek: the guy near us who does small engine repair also sells refurbished snowthrowers, lawn tractors, etc. It is a nice addition to his business.