The SBA’s Dramatic Failure

For all the desperate hand-wringing about the need for Congress the pass SOMETHING, the outcomes are usually pretty poor. Several weeks ago our federal legislatures enacted the CARES Act, a $2 trillion juggernaut meant to prop up the flailing economy. In its assorted blubber they inserted the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, designed to provide up to $2 million in working capital for small businesses.

Thus far, it’s not working too well. Instead of that magic number, firms are being promised closer to 25-35k, with strains making the current disbursement around 15k, at least for the time being.

It’s truly remarkable. The government capable of mass printing and borrowing to fund gigantic programs and nation-building wars is bumbling where the fate of its own business owners are concerned. The Small Business “Administration” has been swamped by requests in a heartbeat, despite having over 3,000 employees and a budget of $710 million.

Is the solution an increase in their budget, which Trump has already attempted as recently as February? Perhaps an even larger stimulus is needed, because money appears to be the magic solution for every problem Congress faces.

Or, we could structure programs in a manner that makes sense, and not demand an archaic application process which many cash-based companies will inevitably struggle to complete.

Just a suggestion.