Big Business?

[FredStembottom]

Being a DU Oldster, I grew up hearing the term "Big Business" used almost daily.
It was two words that conveyed a distinction (and set of worries) that was very useful.

Most importantly, it had a recognition built right into it that giant, globe-straddling corporations are something different and more problematic than small to medium-sized businesses. Nevermind the surface similarities.

What happened to that term? Why don't I see it anymore?

And wouldn't a return to it settle a million repeat discussions of the "not small business or medium business" variety.

Afterall, no one is upset with the bakery down the street. The real problems all seem to stem from Businesses that have grown too Big.

[FredStembottom]

1. It's also a distinction.....

With millions of built-in friends.

That is, policy should be different for Big Business than it is for the bowling alley in a town of 10.000.

Small to Medium Business should not only be exempt from policy that curbs the abuses of Big Business, they should have support from the government.

I know many small business owners who vote for the Republican, Big Business dictated agenda simply because they fear unbearable policy repercussions on their own difficult, little business world.

These owners should be our friends - by once again making the distinction between them and Big Business.

[jwirr]

2. I would guess that the disappearance of the term Big Business is

deliberate to make smaller businesses think they have anything in common with the large multinational corporations. A way to forge them into a group that have similar goals. Rethug goals.

[FredStembottom]

4. That's my intuition, too.

That it was shelved deliberately (most likely by early third-way'er Democrats).

Too bad. It's just as handy as "Big Government" for rallying the troops.

[Shagbark Hickory]

3. Small or big, it might not make any difference.

If a few thousand mom and pop businesses are members of an industry trade organization, then that organization becomes pretty powerful.

Take doctors for example.