I'd like to respond to your Dec. 10 blog post, "The NSBA's Muddle Way" that criticized NSBA and our new initiative, Think Big. Start Small. While I certainly appreciate your opinion, I disagree with your characterization of NSBA as an organization that "tends toward inoffensive platitudes." Are we a nonpartisan organization? Yes. Do we take an inclusive view on how the federal government can best address the U.S. economy? Absolutely. Are we without strong opinions on how the small-business community is best served? Most certainly not.
One of the tabs in the Think Big. Start Small. site is dedicated to linking to more than 30 very detailed issue briefs and white papers on any number of issues. Despite your catchy assertion that "when NSBA does take a firm line, it's pretty small-bore," we have provided very easy access to where we stand on the issues. On many of those issues, NSBA has been an early and outspoken leader, for example:
- NSBA opposed AHP's - something not terribly popular with many of our cohorts.
- NSBA was the first organization to endorse the Fair Tax.
- Back in 2004, NSBA released a broad health care reform proposal long before any other small-business organization was even talking about broad reform.
- We have always been a strong supporter of the SBA 7(a) loan program - even when there were precious few supporters.
- NSBA was the first small-business organization to come out strongly in favor of credit card reform, and continues to be outspoken on the issue.
I guarantee that, had you taken the time to read our credit card reform issue brief, or any of the other briefs for that matter, you would have found no problem whatsoever "teasing out a grand vision" on where NSBA stands.
Working with both Democrats and Republicans doesn't make NSBA an organization that "tends toward inoffensive platitudes," it makes us a thoughtful organization that is willing to support whichever party, candidate, or proposal is best for small business.
I welcome your feedback.
Sincerely,
Molly Brogan
VP of Public Affairs
National Small Business Association
