[nickcarraway]

The chairman of the House Small Business Committee is convinced that many small businesses won't get the venture capital they need without the government's help.

[lafroste]

Speaking as someone who has danced in this ballroom, I say let the program go. I found their hoops and paperwork bordering on the rediculous. That coupled with the fact that their services were "down" for more than a year as the program got shuffled to a different group of acamadecians, that SBIC's I was referred to either didn't exist, or were only interested in High technology (read "computers"), and wanted lots of fees up front, I gave up and raised money the old fashioned way: I persuaded private groups that investing in my company was a sound idea.

This is only a great loss to government nanny types. It won't stop dedicated entrepreneurs.

[Maceman]

many small businesses won't get the venture capital they need without the government's help.

With good reason, too. If it's a sound business concept with capable management, it will find capital privately.

If not, no need to stick the taxpayers with the inevitable losses.

[flashbunny]

How many different ways can the government waste money?

Apparently a number that high doesn't exist yet.