"As part of our mission to support and promote entrepreneurialism, Ernst & Young is encouraging candidates to pay attention to an important segment of voters who thus far seem to be overlooked," commented Gregory K. Ericksen, E&Y's director of Entrepreneurial Services

The E&Y survey, based on 100 completed questionnaires conducted online in August, shows that nearly half of the entrepreneurs (48 percent) surveyed said the top issue the new president should focus on is tax control and reform. Thirty-three percent would like the focus to be on educated workforce, and only 4 percent selected international trade relations as the top issue. A mere 3 percent cited finding seed money.

As for the best inspiration the new administration could offer future entrepreneurs, nearly a third (32 percent) of survey respondents opted for fewer federal or state government regulations. Better access to venture capital came in second with 20 percent, and 15 percent want greater discretionary income. Only 2 percent of entrepreneurs feel that an open marketplace, free of monopolies, would prove inspirational.

In addition, 40 percent of entrepreneurs surveyed said the most important quality an "entrepreneur-friendly" president should possess is an ability to work with Congress, the survey said.

So looking back, which U.S. President did entrepreneurs favor? Ronald Reagan won by a landslide with 69 percent of the votes. President Clinton came in second with 13 percent, according to the survey.

-- SmartPros News Staff

Send comments to information@smartpros.com

Back to NewsLine