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Letters to Bush

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Dear Mr. President:

The perception that no firm foreign policy exists has created the reality of business stagnation. Small-business owners are reluctant, if not unable, to implement strategies or make long-term financial commitments because they do not know what to expect with regard to our foreign policy, in general, or our military involvement in Iraq and North Korea, in particular. From the perspective of a business owner, the lack of an articulated, actionable plan is unacceptable. Our company could not afford to employ a manager incapable of formulating or executing a plan, nor could we tolerate being kept in the dark.

It is time to clearly define American foreign policy, agree on the best plan, rally the strongest internal and external support, and, within the guidelines of national security, inform the American people. Serious economic atrophy is gradually setting in as business waits for the other combat boot to drop.

Respectfully,

Jeffrey G. Suss
President & CEO
Complex Litigation Integrators
Tinton Falls, N.J.

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Dear Mr. President:

For more than a year, the Department of Transportation and many travel industry players have been debating potential revisions to the rules that regulate the computer reservations systems (CRSs) used by travel agents to book airline tickets. There's been discussion about expanding these rules to include Web-based travel sales, too. So far, your administration appears to be avoiding the temptation to burden the online travel sector with cumbersome new legislation. I urge you to stick to your guns.

The rules that govern the display of CRS information to travel agents were created for good reason. There are only four major reservation systems for travel agents. The members of this oligopoly have had significant market power and have historically had stronger relationships and even ownership interests with particular airlines. If CRS companies had the freedom to bias the display of flights as they saw fit, the potential for abuse would be immense. Allowing a few companies to decide which flights and prices are shown first is bad for the consumer.

The online travel landscape is different. Consumers have a plethora of sources from which they can buy airline tickets, along with the ability to shift from one to the next with the click of a mouse. The companies that will thrive in online travel are those that foster consumer choice, not those that stifle it. In this vibrant new marketplace, we should let competition--not legislation--drive the behavior of market participants. As we've seen with the debate sparked by the Department of Transportation, some will attempt to convince you otherwise. We hope you will resist.

Respectfully,

Brian Barth
CEO
SideStep
Santa Clara, Calif.

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Dear Mr. President:

During the Clinton era an effort was made to simplify the contracting process, and a new set of regulations known as the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) was introduced. Now, contracts are awarded not necessarily to the lowest bidder but to the one who gives the "perceived best value." That means government evaluators are free to make award decisions based on literally any criteria and the decisions cannot be challenged. Isn't this the first step to the kind of cronyism that once led to $600 hammers and $5,000 coffeepots?

One of your first acts as President was to rescind the rule that made it impossible for a business to get a government contract if it had received a negative performance evaluation by a government employee. Thank you for that step. Now you need to return competition to the contracting process; revive the Fraud, Waste & Abuse program; and remind government employees to serve the public good, not their friends.

This issue deserves very high-level and immediate attention. My entire team and I stand ready to serve at your request in support of this Important Mission.

Sincerely yours,

Sandra D. Brittain-Pescion
Founder & CEO
Denali Ventures
Cheyenne, Wyo.

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Dear President Bush:

Small businesses remain at a distinct disadvantage to larger ones when it comes to health insurance. According to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey on national health care spending in 2000, only 47% of small firms with fewer than 50 employees offer health plans, as opposed to 97% of firms with 50 or more employees. Typically, the deterrent is cost.

Small businesses and sole proprietors represent a large number of working people in our nation. We should be entitled to benefit from economies of scale, just as large companies do. Legislation should be put in place to support associated health plans and other programs that allow small businesses to unify and negotiate better rates and benefits for ourselves and our employees.

Sincerely,

Michele Meek
Founder & President
BuyIndies.com
Boston, Mass.