Last week, President Obama pushed "job creation" policy to the front burner as unemployment numbers remain stagnant. This week, Gov. O'Malley will do the same with his State of the State speech and introduction of his "jobs bill" to the House Ways & Means Committee. Both executives are touting one-time tax credits for employers as a way to get the economy moving again. According to the Manahttan Institute, and even The Sun's Jay Hancock (with whom I rarely agree), these short-term gimmicks simply won't work.

As I stated on WNAV's "Capital Caucus" last week, small businesses want long-term solutions. Assurance that taxes will not be raised again(see 2007 Special Session), tax cuts, and relaxation of unnecessary regulations is what business owners need and want. AFP-Queen Anne's held a "Business Roundtable" last week. Local entrpreneurs gathered to discuss the issues that are affecting their business. The message was clear and simple: get government out of the way.

Until the leaders of this country hear that message, we should expect a prolonged economic downturn. Unfortunately, the majority of the group that is in charge now has never created a job in their lives. More than likely they have never met a payroll, they have never taken a risk, and thus, they cannot understand our experience on a day-to-day basis.

Please join us in Annapolis this Thursday to testify on some important free market bills. We must send a message to the Annapolis politicians that the free market system is the only way to solve our economic crisis. For more information, contact Nick@AFPMaryland.com.