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Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs8/16/2023  In 2018, veteran-owned businesses comprised only 5.9% of all businesses in the United States. This is despite 45% of them being more likely to start their businesses than non-veterans.
The skills and experience of America’s veterans make them natural entrepreneurs. However, they may face challenges when they return to civilian life. This is why they must have the proper resources and networks to start their own businesses. Access to capital funding should be democratized. This will allow veterans to have the necessary resources to start their own businesses. Let’s dive into reasons why this matters. Veterans Provide Purpose Compared to non-veterans, veterans are 1.5 times more prone to committing suicide. This is a staggering figure and is even higher for female warriors. One of the most important factors that contribute to the high suicide rates of veterans is their ability to integrate successfully into society. As a member of a mission-focused organization, I have witnessed how uplifting it is for a veteran to feel that they have something to contribute to the world. While it is common for veteran-owned businesses to hire people who have served the country, helping them access capital can also help boost the entrepreneurship ecosystem in America. Lack Of Capital Can Prevent Veteran Entrepreneurs From Building Businesses Many veterans have been scaling and founding businesses for decades. They have the necessary skills and experience to run successful organizations. These include the ability to manage a team and stay calm under pressure. In 2016, a report by Inc.’s Kim Weisul stated that after World War II, almost half of the country’s veterans had gone on to start businesses. However, only 4.5% of those who came back from the post-9/11 era have started or built businesses. This is a significant drop, and the lack of capital and knowledge about entrepreneurship is the main reason this figure has decreased. Fortunately, various programs can help veterans get access to capital. Some of these include the Small Business Administration’s loans and the rising class of institutional and angel investors. These investors can also provide veteran entrepreneurs with opportunities to acquire finance. In addition, various resources can help veteran entrepreneurs start or expand their businesses. These include the Buy Then Build book by Walker Deibel and the Stanford Search Fund primer. terrycornelljr.net
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Why Lobbying Is Legal and Vital8/16/2023  In 2019, lobbyists spent over $3.47 billion on lobbying efforts on political issues. This represents the highest amount of money spent on lobbying since the peak of the lobbying industry in 2010. Groups are using the rise of political influence to create legislation that will benefit their own interests. Remembering the legal nature of lobbying and why it is important for government is important.
Why Is Lobbying Legal? Although lobbying is often regarded as a form of bribery, it is a practice that involves putting pressure on governments to enact specific policies. This is done through public campaigns that are legally registered. The legality of lobbying can be found in the Constitution and our participatory democracy. The amount of money spent by lobbyists in 2019 was the highest since the peak of the lobbying industry in 2010. First Amendment Protection One of the many rights the 1st Amendment provides is the right to lobby. Although the term “lobby” is never used explicitly, it is stated that individuals have the right to petition the government to resolve their grievances. This is a significant aspect of the Constitution and shows how far the concept of lobbying has come. Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 The act also provides for the proper regulation of political lobbying. This legislation defines what activities are considered lobbying and how they must be conducted to avoid potential penalties. The goal of the lobbying disclosure act is to ensure that the public has the opportunity to evaluate the influence that political lobbying has on the decisions that are made by government. Lobbying Affects Everyone All laws apply to everyone in the country, making lobbying legal. Unlike bribery, a type of influence that occurs when a group or individual receives preferential treatment, lobbying does not seek special treatment. Instead, it is a way to influence the actions of government. Why is Lobbying Important? The success of a government depends on its ability to effectively lobby. Without it, it would be hard to sort out the competing interests of its residents. Through lobbying, a government can effectively serve the interests of its citizens. Lobbying Access Through lobbying, a government can effectively serve the interests of its citizens. By grouping various goals into one campaign, lobbyists can represent the interests of a wide range of people. This allows them to influence the legislature’s actions and bring the people’s issues to the forefront. Educational Function of Lobbying Through lobbying, a group can obtain the necessary information to effectively bring their concerns to the government’s attention. This gives them the necessary information to persuade the government to act on their behalf. Moreover, lobbying groups can bring in the best possible expertise and knowledge since their sole purpose is to influence the government’s policies. terrycornelljr.com |
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