<p>Annette Lathrop</p>

Back in 1980, Mike and I worked to fulfill a dream, owning our own veterinary clinic. While a contractor built the metal frame for what is now known as the Double Arrow Clinic, it was Mike and I that did most of the inside work (except for the electrical and plumbing). With three preschoolers and another on the way, the clinic opened for business, not quite finished on the inside.

You may think that Im about to jump into the you didnt build that controversy created by President Obamas recent remarks. Well, we did build a good business with hard work, long hours and personal sacrifice; a business that provided us a good way life for many years.

Todays small business climate is much harsher. When our business was in its infancy, Ronald Reagan was lighting the hearts and imaginations of Americans with freedom. Reagan brought back limited government and belief in people. Businesses flourished; the economy roared back from a terrible recession.

As a new business startup, we were very fortunate to be in the era before the federal government viewed business as the enemy, the environmental bullies began their reign of terror and the State of Oregon used its power to skim off businesses profits. Had we been in the bulls-eye of these groups, the Double Arrow could have been like so many businesses today closed before given a chance to succeed.

Whether among those hiding the facts for a political agenda (power) or those who have simply forgotten, we all need to be reminded small business fuels our economy. These attacks make for a difficult business environment. Consequently, our economy sags, jobs are not available, and the debt crisis deepens.

Obamas EPA has written and is working to implement hundreds of new regulations. These business killers have taken a heavy toll: businesses have closed, jobs lost and the cost for goods is higher and still rising. Currently, fewer are willing to take on these high risks; new business ventures each face a high failure rate. Certainly all business is targeted; however, the energy and agriculture industries are particularly in the crosshairs.

More small business killers loom on the horizon thanks to the federal governments ability to take hostages, the 2013 tax hikes and the implementation of Obamacare.

Defenders of Wildlife, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and other environmental extremists have filed hundreds of lawsuits. Responding to their continual suits is sinking profitable businesses and intimidating new ones.

Closer to home, the State of Oregon continues to proudly boast of an unfriendly business environment. Not only are the governor and the many legislators anti-business, the voters themselves bought into an anti-business lie when passing measures 66 and 67. The lie was that successful businesses and business owners would be easy pickins to solve our budget shortfall. How did that work out? Businesses left the state in droves and now its difficult to entice new ones. Todays state budget is even worse off.

Small business faces a David and Goliath situation. Goliath, a 9-foot-tall Philistine military champion, daily insulted and taunted the Israelite army, but David, claiming the power of his God, killed him an unexpected outcome.

Citizens collective, informed vote is our only hope of an unexpected outcome against the Goliaths of today. Fortunately, Oregon has a slate of candidates (all small businessmen) that will go to bat for small business. At least in our state, they will be working to unchain the independent entre-preneur spirit.

David used a slingshot and five stones. Weapons available to slay todays giants: knowing then sharing the truth about this years good candidates, then voting (while encouraging family, friends and neighbors to do the same).

Killing todays giants will bring better times for all profitability for small businesses, plentiful jobs and a chance to get our debt crisis under control.

Rancher Annette Lathrop is currently Wallowa County chair for the Oregon Republican Party.