Reader: Commending Mary Landrieu

Dear Editor:

I would like to commend U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu for the attention she’s paying to the impact on small businesses by health-care reform. There are over 373,000 small businesses in Louisiana representing over 97 percent of the states’ employers.

Nationally, small businesses have generated 64 percent of the net new jobs over the last 15 years.

I own a small feed store in Calhoun, La. We not only sell feed for horses and cattle, but also other farm equipment and pet necessities as well. We are the only local store of our kind in the area, and have always been a staple in the community.

Our business is a very small operation, employing only four to five staff members, and I have grave concerns about the health-care legislation facing our congressional leaders in Washington. If this health-care reform forces me to provide government insurance or pay extra taxes, my business will not survive.

Clearly, small businesses like mine will play a vital role in rebuilding our economy. How health-care reform plays out will be a key to this.

I believe health-care reform must be smart reform that addresses the underlying issues that hurt small business – tort reform, high costs, unfunded government mandates, new taxes, red tape and compensation by insurance companies across state lines.

My only hope is that Sen. Landrieu is listening not just hearing what we’re saying and follows through with a vote against legislation that endangers my business and my ability to continue to create jobs.

Please, Sen. Landrieu, help keep small businesses alive.

Roger Craighead,

Owner of Pine Hill Feed & Hardware LLC, Calhoun, La.