Marathon Pundit: Ill GOP has tough questions for Alexi Giannoulias regarding small businesses

It will be small businesses, not Fortune 500 firms, and certainly not the federal government, who will pull us out of the recession. The Democrats' are promoting obstacles to small business growth, such as the so-called Employee Free Choice Act and ObamaCare. In Illinois, Alexi Giannoulias is the frontrunner in the race to win the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat currently held by Rod Blagojevich appointee Roland Burris.

The Illinois Republican has some pointed queries for the "Boy Banker":

Key Questions for Alexi Giannoulias on Critical Issues Facing Illinois Small Business Owners:

It's easy to hold a press conference and promise free taxpayer handouts with no way to deliver on your promise. But if Alexi Giannoulias wants Illinois small business owners to believe he's on their side, he will need to change his positions on some of their top priorities.

Small business priorities are clearly expressed by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) – the nation's leading small business association. If Alexi Giannoulias claims he is fighting for small business, reporters should ask him where he stands on the following NFIB priorities:

1) Do you support or oppose the government health care bill (H.R. 3962) unveiled last week by Speaker Pelosi?

Background: The health care bill unveiled by Speaker Pelosi last week includes a $460 billion “surtax” on small business. On Thursday, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) issued the following statement:

"H.R. 3962 is the 'how to' on how NOT to do health care reform…The House health care bill will do nothing to lower costs, increase choices or produce a more competitive marketplace. Instead, it will actually harm small business owners with its expensive employer mandates, punitive payroll taxes and new government-run program – all of which will only result in more money coming out of small business owners' pockets.” (NFIB Statement, 10/29/09)

2) Do you support or oppose the Employer Free Choice Act, otherwise known as "Card Check"?

Background: "NFIB strongly opposes the deceptively named Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) or 'card check' because it mandates employers recognize labor unions without first holding a private-ballot employee election. Under current law, the election process is guaranteed by law and administered by the National Labor Relations Board. This system ensures that neither a union nor an employer may coerce, harass or restrain employees in exercising their right to choose whether or not to support the union. Each employee's choice is made in the privacy of a voting booth, with neither the employer nor the union knowing how any individual voted…NFIB will be working tirelessly to convey to lawmakers that card check is an assault on free enterprise with the potential to permanently cripple our economy." (Source: NFIB Web site)

3) Do you support or oppose permanently repealing the estate/death tax?

Background: "NFIB has led efforts to provide estate tax relief for America's small businesses. The estate tax creates a disincentive to expand a business, create jobs, and far too often, literally taxes family businesses right out of the family. Much of the cost of the estate tax occurs before the tax itself is levied. The threat of the tax actually forces small-business owners to pay for expensive estate planning if they want to keep their business in the family." (Source: NFIB Web site)