Every day, small business owners risk everything to achieve success. They search for private and government contracts just like big businesses do. Small businesses are not afraid of risk, and they don't shy away from competition -- fair competition, that is. Free-market competition from Corporate America and big box chains can be fierce. But when small businesses are forced to compete against the government -- or on an unfair playing field -- because of practices like contract bundling or unfair advantages given to Federal Prison Industries and rural electric cooperatives, it's downright insulting.

In truth, the United States has no “small business policy”. Rather, it has a competition policy of which small business is an essential component. A competition policy simply means that the primary objective of policy is to encourage competition. The consumer’s “good” is the final objective; small business is only a means to that end. The government’s proper role is therefore limited to setting and enforcing the rules of competition and ensuring that small firms have the opportunity to compete.

Main Street needs a voice fighting for a truly free market. NFIB plays that critical role, advocating legislative solutions that create fair, free-market competition and a level playing field for small business.