“Small-business owners who are currently hiring are most likely to say they are doing so because their business operations expanded, consumer or business demand increased”
What you say is true but not necessarily the full story. Yes, demand is down in a weak economy, but if that is your sole metric, then maybe the government should step in and send checks to everyone?
Retail sales are down VERY LITTLE compared to the massive and very persistent unemployment numbers. Yes, that level of demand is down, but industrial purchasing is surprisingly strong. I am always overskeptical of the consumer, but the consumer has NEVER cut back except for a few months post 9/11. I believe if people had more confidence, they would spend a lot more freely and cheerfully. Business owners, also being people, know this or at least sense it in some way.
This guy we have in office and his administration, these people are just flat out bummers towards business. Every day they come out with some new diktat, some new guideline. Business owners in my experience, are mildly cocky types who think they can maneuver through changing conditions, but they have met their match with this administration, and they are being attacked on every front. If they make more money, they are being promised higher taxes. If they hire people, they are being promised more healthcare mandates. They have no way to predict the future when it comes to making business plans, and to a man (and woman) every single business owner I know (and I know a fair number) all say the same thing. Some are libs. They can not make any plans as things are.