We need more than one approach

Ron Nelsen, Las Vegas

Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 | 2:01 a.m.

The election is over, and we are as far away from the next one as ever possible. Now is the time for our government to govern. The “fiscal cliff” is rapidly approaching. Our re-elected president is reaching out to Democrats and Republicans in order to take action now. The president is advocating for a balanced approach to our nation’s fiscal problems.

As a small business owner, I could not agree more with the president’s approach — everything must be on the table. In the depths of the recession, I didn’t look for one single solution to keep my doors open. I cut costs everywhere I could, but I also invested in things that could increase revenue in the long term.

The millionaires and billionaires in our country could easily afford to pay taxes on their additional income over $250,000 at the same rate as they did in the 1990s. Our country needs all hands on deck to pay down our debt. Everyone’s contribution is essential to our nation’s ability to invest in infrastructure and education — crucial ingredients to our nation’s ability to continue to be competitive in the global economy.

I have invested in my employees, my equipment, my building, my website, and advertising to hold market share and increase sales. I could not have just cut my way out of the recession. We cannot, as a nation, rely purely on spending cuts for balancing our finances and achieving fiscal responsibility. We need to cut where we can and invest where we must. We need to ask those who can afford to pay a little more to do so, as the rest of us have been forced to tighten our belts.

As a small business owner, all I need right now is more consumer demand. Consumer demand is partially contingent on certainty. Our politicians must act and provide the American people with certainty in our government and our economy. We must take action that protects our fragile economy. Inaction is not an option.