Much rhetoric is tossed about in today’s political arena concerning small businesses, most notably as it relates to the need for tax breaks and incentives to help them sustain and grow. Hillary Clinton knows firsthand the kinds of unique challenges small business owners face in competing in an economic atmosphere where diversity and choice are increasingly being whittled down, as large corporations merge into even larger conglomerate giants. Hillary comes from a small business owning family where values of fairness, honesty and quality prevailed, and where being familiar with those with whom you were doing business meant trust and reliability. It’s these same values she has employed in championing many small as well as large causes throughout her years in public service.

But Hillary also knows that small businesses do so much more beyond providing diversity and choice to consumers and promoting a healthy economy. They make our local communities thrive. ! They provide goods and services we want and need. They hire locally and use products and services from other local vendors and resources in the conduct of their own businesses. And they are first in line to support the events, causes and charitable efforts in our communities which we ourselves support and care about.

I believe Hillary when she says small businesses matter. I’m impressed by her efforts to meet with local individuals and groups who represent and make up the small businesses in our communities. And I do trust in her promise to be a champion for individuals, families and merchants who build upon our better American values and contribute to a healthier economy, starting in our own neighborhoods and communities, and developing into successful small businesses which keep us and our economy rolling, one community at a time.

Patricia Osterlund

Merrimack