Risky Business

"Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship" Act: Nice Name, But Where's Substance?

By Matthew Bandyk

Posted: May 20, 2009

Congress today is considering the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009. Check out the bill here.

I don't believe that "job creation through entrepreneurship" is something that can be legislated into existence. This bill does nothing to change that belief.

It mostly has unobjectionable provisions like more support for veteran-owned small businesses, and a greater SBA commitment to promoting Native American businesses. Then there's this:

Directs the Administrator to contract with third-party vendors for entrepreneurial distance learning content and the development of communications technology that can distribute such content to potential and existing entrepreneurs throughout the United States.

Hmmm, what's a "communications technology" that can "distribute" informational content to entrepreneurs "throughout the United States? Don't we have the Internet?

To be fair, it sounds like the bill would fund something a bit more sophisticated than, say, US News's page on small business. The bill mentions "video-on-demand," for example. But we already have sites with tons of video to educate entrepreneurs--check out sbtv.com.

By the time whatever learning tool this bill would fund is actually developed and put into place, entrepreneurs will have already created many jobs to help pull the US out of this recession.

Start in K12

Entrepreneurship is a mindset lost in rural economic development planning. This thinking must be inculcated in K12. We don't need to fund more technology, we need to fund in-school Programs that will expose young people to the entrepreneurial world and make starting a business in a rural community a viable option. We have been piloting such a concept in rural west Tennessee and the response of young high school young people has shown that this is a major untapped resource for economic development.

A new plant creates jobs. A local entrepreneur creates lasting local wealth.

Fund real feet-on-the-street that can create the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Paul Van Hoesen

Director

cTechnology, Inc.

www.cTechnology.org

Paul Van Hoesen of TN @ May 21, 2009 11:26:28 AM

information distribution

You are correct that we have "video-on-demand" and high speed Internet, but this is mostly a benefit of living in a city or town, not for those in rural areas. I cannot genuinely run an online business from my home in rural Iowa because the technology is undependable at best and simply ineffective at worst. If supporting entrepreneurial efforts under this bill related to "information distribution" means that rural Americans can actually join the technologically advanced areas of Anytown, USA, then I say it's a tremendous opportunity for those who are still left out of these advancements.

gjsample of IA @ May 20, 2009 13:48:13 PM

entrepreneurial help

Here's one. Let's turn back time to when an entrepreneur could get a patent and not have to mortgage his house (Thanks Clinton, you Rhodes Scholar gubber). Clinton made it so that only the rich could get a patent and, I'll tell you something else: there is no way in hell that a patent examiner (short of an Einstein) can read today's patent applications and determine if there is any validity to it. The language is so ridiculous that it could only be fodder for a lawyer. Try reading one someday.

Give us back the cheaper patent (screw the provisional) and make the language English just like in contracts.

callejero of NJ @ May 20, 2009 13:14:50 PM

Add Your Thoughts
About You

advertisement

Risky Business

Risky Business

Matt Bandyk, a reporter for U.S. News, explores capitalism from where it all begins, with the entrepreneur, whose risk taking and experimentation provide the roots from which the rest of the economy grows. As much courage as it takes to create one's own business, even the entrepreneur needs some help, and this blog will look at news, trends, and practical advice for starting and running a small business.

advertisement

advertisement

Subscribe

U.S. News Digital Weekly

A weekly insider's guide to politics and policy — in a multimedia, digital format. 52 issues for $19.95!

U.S. News & World Report

6 months of U.S. News & World Report's print edition for only $15. Save up to 67% off the cover price!