Politics, politics, politics. Debates, debates, debates. It’s all the news seems to cover lately (well, that and the Kardashians). So, hey, we’ll sprinkle in a little of our own into the Metro News. Consider this our official letter to Washington, the Governor, or anyone else who cares to listen.
Last year, we wrote a letter to President Obama. We thought it was nice, and we did get a form letter back (I saved it; the stationary is super cool), but in all honesty, we don’t think he really read it. Understandable. He’s a busy guy. And yet, just the same … we do think we have something to say.
You see, we’re not political here at Metro. We’re just a small, local business trying to make our way. And for all we hear from Washington about “small businesses being the lifeblood of our Country,” it sure doesn’t feel like anyone is actually looking out for us. Seriously. That’s why we’re not Republicans or Democrats. From our perspective, everyone in politics seems out of touch.
It’s just our opinion of course. But as an example, there was a lot of time and effort spent in Washington (last year and earlier this year) on a bill called SOPA (the Stop Online Piracy Act). There were meetings and expensive dinners, uses of government funds, uses of good air … all aimed at protecting the Hollywood entertainment industry from the loss of a few bucks. Now don’t get me wrong: I’m sure there’s an issue there. But I’m also pretty sure now is not the right time. I mean, from what I’ve seen on TMZ, the guys in Hollywood seem to be doing alright (have you seen an awards show lately?).
And OK, sure, that’s just one silly example. I get it. But from where we’re standing (Metro, that is), it’s just awfully frustrating to hear lip service go one way (we must help small business!) and reality go the other way (here’s another tax, Buddy, we’re sure you’ll understand).
Don’t believe me? Well, here’s what we see. While Republicans are arguing for tax breaks to the wealthy and Democrats are arguing for more benefits to the poor, we just got hit with a new, surprise “special assessment” tax on payroll (because Arizona ran out of money) and another increase to Minimum Wage. I don’t know what Wall Street is doing to provide jobs here in Tucson, but Metro Car Wash employs around 70 people. We’re struggling in a tough economy, trying to keep our prices low for our customers, keeping a lot of Tucsonans employed … and the government (that so desperately wants to help us) decides the best course of action is to keep making it a little harder on us. Maybe they think they’re teaching us perseverance.
Look, I realize that I’m complaining now (which could be annoying), but I also don’t hear our story being told. That bothers me. And when I say “our” story, I really do mean all of Metro Car Wash. Believe me, my employees don’t like it either. They’re not dumb. Increases in payroll taxes and increases in Minimum Wage mean less money in their pockets. The raises that the hard-working, tenured employees were going to get? The new employees we were going to hire? Sorry folks, they were just eaten up by ever-increasing Minimum Wage and a newly invented payroll tax. It is what it is. As a matter of fact, we’ve had to cut jobs … again.
This is what I mean when I say Washington is out of touch. I’m not sure why they think a small businessperson is the best to tax if they want to create more jobs. I’m not sure how they think we can overcome these cost increases, when the economy is demanding we keep our prices low. I’m not sure I think its fair (actually, I know it’s not) that these tax increases equate to pay cuts to me and my employees, but I haven’t heard boo about pay cuts on Capital Hill. I’m not sure I understand any of it, to tell the truth, except to say this: we small businesses don’t have a voice in Washington, we won’t be benefited by tax cuts for the Wall Street crowd, no one “up there” seems to grasp the ramifications “down here,” and we think it all sort of stinks.
What I am sure of is this: we care about our employees, our community, and our local economy. We care about delivering a quality product, keeping prices low, and keeping our customers happy. We’re going to keep plugging away, Mr. and Mrs. Politician. We’re not giving up. But we’d ask you to at least do us one favor: either truly get behind what you promise, or just stop delivering the lip service. I think it’s called “practice what you preach.”
Well, that’s my rant for they year, folks. I feel better already! Our next blog will be more upbeat. I just know it (I’m thinking of bunnies, kittens or rainbows).
Until then, stay clean my friends. Hope to see some of you soon at the Wash!
DJ DripDry
Last year, we wrote a letter to President Obama. We thought it was nice, and we did get a form letter back (I saved it; the stationary is super cool), but in all honesty, we don’t think he really read it. Understandable. He’s a busy guy. And yet, just the same … we do think we have something to say.
You see, we’re not political here at Metro. We’re just a small, local business trying to make our way. And for all we hear from Washington about “small businesses being the lifeblood of our Country,” it sure doesn’t feel like anyone is actually looking out for us. Seriously. That’s why we’re not Republicans or Democrats. From our perspective, everyone in politics seems out of touch.
It’s just our opinion of course. But as an example, there was a lot of time and effort spent in Washington (last year and earlier this year) on a bill called SOPA (the Stop Online Piracy Act). There were meetings and expensive dinners, uses of government funds, uses of good air … all aimed at protecting the Hollywood entertainment industry from the loss of a few bucks. Now don’t get me wrong: I’m sure there’s an issue there. But I’m also pretty sure now is not the right time. I mean, from what I’ve seen on TMZ, the guys in Hollywood seem to be doing alright (have you seen an awards show lately?).
And OK, sure, that’s just one silly example. I get it. But from where we’re standing (Metro, that is), it’s just awfully frustrating to hear lip service go one way (we must help small business!) and reality go the other way (here’s another tax, Buddy, we’re sure you’ll understand).
Don’t believe me? Well, here’s what we see. While Republicans are arguing for tax breaks to the wealthy and Democrats are arguing for more benefits to the poor, we just got hit with a new, surprise “special assessment” tax on payroll (because Arizona ran out of money) and another increase to Minimum Wage. I don’t know what Wall Street is doing to provide jobs here in Tucson, but Metro Car Wash employs around 70 people. We’re struggling in a tough economy, trying to keep our prices low for our customers, keeping a lot of Tucsonans employed … and the government (that so desperately wants to help us) decides the best course of action is to keep making it a little harder on us. Maybe they think they’re teaching us perseverance.
Look, I realize that I’m complaining now (which could be annoying), but I also don’t hear our story being told. That bothers me. And when I say “our” story, I really do mean all of Metro Car Wash. Believe me, my employees don’t like it either. They’re not dumb. Increases in payroll taxes and increases in Minimum Wage mean less money in their pockets. The raises that the hard-working, tenured employees were going to get? The new employees we were going to hire? Sorry folks, they were just eaten up by ever-increasing Minimum Wage and a newly invented payroll tax. It is what it is. As a matter of fact, we’ve had to cut jobs … again.
This is what I mean when I say Washington is out of touch. I’m not sure why they think a small businessperson is the best to tax if they want to create more jobs. I’m not sure how they think we can overcome these cost increases, when the economy is demanding we keep our prices low. I’m not sure I think its fair (actually, I know it’s not) that these tax increases equate to pay cuts to me and my employees, but I haven’t heard boo about pay cuts on Capital Hill. I’m not sure I understand any of it, to tell the truth, except to say this: we small businesses don’t have a voice in Washington, we won’t be benefited by tax cuts for the Wall Street crowd, no one “up there” seems to grasp the ramifications “down here,” and we think it all sort of stinks.
What I am sure of is this: we care about our employees, our community, and our local economy. We care about delivering a quality product, keeping prices low, and keeping our customers happy. We’re going to keep plugging away, Mr. and Mrs. Politician. We’re not giving up. But we’d ask you to at least do us one favor: either truly get behind what you promise, or just stop delivering the lip service. I think it’s called “practice what you preach.”
Well, that’s my rant for they year, folks. I feel better already! Our next blog will be more upbeat. I just know it (I’m thinking of bunnies, kittens or rainbows).
Until then, stay clean my friends. Hope to see some of you soon at the Wash!
DJ DripDry
