The Big Issues for Small Concerns

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What about medical savings accounts? It's a way for you to put money aside, almost like an IRA, and then you use that money to buy the health care that you need. Is anyone using them?

Batterson: I'd like to switch our whole firm into medical savings accounts right now, because that's the closest thing I can find to major medical. But I can't, because a couple of people have pre-existing conditions. I'm afraid those conditions won't be covered if we make the switch, no matter what they tell us.

Hasty: I think the real issue is on the cost-containment side. I'm not one for national health care, but I think that something has to be done or else we're never going to get a handle on this problem. I think the government has been afraid to step into this health-care industry and try to contain those costs so the average person can afford health insurance.

Next topic: minimum wage. Is this a concern to anyone here?

Hasty: This is one of these issues where I believe the market should dictate what the minimum wage is. With unemployment the way it is in this country, people compete for labor right now. And that's going to drive those rates up. It's all about supply and demand.

Batterson: That's some old labor-union issue that really doesn't exist anymore.

Zigulich: Do you feel optimistic about the economy?

Batterson: I feel fairly good. I'm a little concerned that interest rates may tick up more. That could cause the stock market to decline further, which is not good for the investment business.

Schroeder: One plus is that we've had political gridlock over the past eight years. It actually has proved to be a good thing, since it has stopped the government from interfering with growth in the economy.

Cooper: Well, as the technology guy at the table, I have to say I'm feeling darn great. Technology is playing a huge role in the future of the country, and it looks like it's just a major engine.

Herrera: I know that we're taking steps in the right direction. I think it has proved to be a great period for women in business.

One indicator of economic well-being is the availability of capital. Do you feel there's a glut of money available now for entrepreneurs?

Batterson: Well, as the venture capitalist here, I guess I ought to comment on this. You know, there's more private venture capital now than at any other time in the history of the country--about double what it was two years ago. So there is a tidal wave of so-called angel money sloshing around the country now to help people get started.

Does anyone have any thoughts about export policy, how much things like the North American Free Trade Agreement have helped small businesses?

Hasty: You know, it has really affected certain industries hard, because a lot of manufacturing has moved to Mexico. What's happening is that unskilled jobs are moving out of this country fast. Which leads us to the question, What do we do with the unskilled work force until they are trained to do technology jobs?