A RECENT SURVEY commissioned by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has revealed a "fundamental gap" between president Obama's economic policies and the public's expectations.
63 per cent of respondents claimed they would prefer granting individuals incentives to start their own businesses, rather than allowing the government to create new jobs - either directly or via major corporations. The same number felt the Obama administration should encourage the creation of new businesses, which would facilitate sustainable, long-term employment opportunities and economic growth. Only 22 per cent favored a direct government role in the creation of public and private sector jobs.
 "Americans recognise that in order to create jobs in this country, the government's efforts need to be focused on promoting entrepreneurship and making it easier to start new businesses. This survey makes it clear: we need incentives and support for those who create jobs," Kauffman CEO Carl Schramm told The News. "These two statistics - which produced similar results - underscore the public's deep and abiding belief that the government should facilitate entrepreneurial activity by creating the conditions and policies that make it easier for individuals to take a risk, as opposed to the government itself creating jobs. [The recent] announcement to free up more loans for entrepreneurs and small business owners is a step in the right direction, but more can be done to encourage current and future job-creators."
According to Schramm, Americans harbour doubts that Obama's stimulus package will "spur the entrepreneurship they hold so important." Indeed, a third of respondents believed the stimulus package would harm entrepreneurial activity, while only 21 per cent felt it supported entrepreneurs. Unsurprisingly, 72 per cent thought the government should do more to encourage entrepreneurs.
"These results prove conclusively that Americans recognise the policies that free entrepreneurs to innovate and create jobs are ultimately the best stimulus for our economy in the long run. Once the fundamental functions of our economy have been stabilised, it will be entrepreneurs who put our country back on the path of prosperity. This survey says loudly and clearly: we need to create incentives for those who create jobs," added Schramm.
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