“Interesting to note that 100% of the top five overall most business-friendly states have Republican governors, while 60% of the bottom five have Democrat governors,” Scott H. observes of Wednesday’s state of small business-centric issue.

“In your lists of states, the red-blue line is clearly evident,” Scott M. agrees. “I have owned a small business in California for nearly 20 years now,” Scott M. says. “We have grown from a $300k business to just under $3 million in that time. 

“I am continually amazed at the effect that the state-and-local government has on our efforts.  

California is known for its anti-business policies, and it seems that some policy makers go out of their way to make it more difficult to succeed.  

“That being said, the best way to overcome the governmental burden is to take care of people and create a culture that your team and clients all feel good about. This does not eliminate or even balance the equation, but it does make for a more tenable outcome.” 

Thanks for the feedback! It sounds like you’re the epitome of a great American small-business owner… who’s daily fighting an uphill battle.

You might be surprised to learn that, overall, California’s number 13 on the list of best-worst states for business startups. (I, too, was shocked.)

Be sure to check back Wednesday for additional in-depth insights from several small-business owners — in the U.S. and beyond.

Send your opinions to, feedback@newsyoucanacton.com

Your Rundown for Monday, January 22, 2024...

Haywire Housing 

It’s a story Paradigm Pressroom’s 5 Bullets’ managing editor, Dave Gonigam, has pursued for more than a decade now… 

Mega corporations dominate the U.S. housing market, making home prices out of reach for many everyday Americans — possibly including you, your children or grandchildren. 

And it was first sanctioned by the Obama administration. 

I had the chance to interview Dave, and he pulled back the curtain on precisely what’s gone haywire in housing. 

Click here

You might want to pour yourself a second cup of coffee and settle in on this wintry Monday morning for an enlightening 20-minute discussion. 

And stick around after for more must-see videos at our YouTube channel. If you subscribe and hit “notifications,” you won’t miss a moment of Paradigm’s up-to-the-minute content. 

Market Rundown for Monday, Jan. 22, 2024

The S&P 500 is up 0.30% to 4,885. 

Oil is up 1% to $74.11 for a barrel of WTI. 

Gold is down 0.25% to $2,024.10 per ounce. 

And Bitcoin’s down 2.5% to $40,650. 

Send your comments and questions to, feedback@newsyoucanacton.com