5 Questions with Mike Whalen

The Washington Times ^ | June 15, 2012 | Brett

[iowamark]

You talk about government policy “killing the gazelles.” What’s that metaphor all about?

Every time I sit down with a business leader, I get an earful about 2002’s Sarbanes-Oxley Act that dramatically altered federal accounting regulations and 2010’s Dodd-Frank Act to supposedly reform Wall Street. What is so bad about these laws, and what is their true legacy for the U.S. business climate?

I remember a time when corporate leaders were a lot more outspoken against intrusive bureaucracy and laws that were harmful to business. Why are so many prominent executives hesitant to speak out to defend their own interests today?

It used to be said that, “The business of America is business.” Now, we have a worse corporate tax rate than Europe and businesses are strangled by miles of new red tape every year. I have had many job creators tell me that if they had to start all over again today, that creating their own company would no longer be worth all the hassle, harassment and heartache. What are the most damaging government hindrances to entrepreneurs today?

The Obama administration talks an awful lot about an economic recovery, yet the unemployment rate is still high, record numbers of Americans are on food stamps and the national debt continues to mount. What does such an anemic recovery say about the real state of our economy?

[iowamark]

Michael Whalen is president, CEO and founder of Heart of America Group. Starting with one restaurant in 1978, his company has grown to 27 hotels and restaurants in 10 metropolitan areas. Mr. Whalen ran for Congress in Iowa in 2006, serves as the policy chairman for the National Center for Policy Analysis, a free-market think tank, and is a leader for Job Creators Alliance, a group of entrepreneurs who promote pro-growth policies to support small business. Out of the office, he has established Wildwood Hills Ranch, a camp for at-risk youth, and a contemporary Christian radio station. You can find out more about Heart of America at heartofamericagroup.com and Job Creators Alliance at jobcreatorsalliance.org.

Brett M. Decker is editorial page editor of The Washington Times. He is coauthor of the new book “Bowing to Beijing” (Regnery, 2011).