Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Ikonoklast

(23,973 posts)
60. I am a business owner.
Sat Dec 8, 2012, 11:58 AM
Dec 2012

I own and run a business that is both highly regulated by government and is in an extremely competitive sector of the economy.

Profit margin gains based upon increased efficiencies and adapting improved technologies can be measured in hundreths of percent.

If I don't stay out in front of improving my physical plant in order to operate at least as efficiently as my competitors, I must either take less in profits, or eventually fail, as I just cannot raise my rates and still expect to remain in business.

I can tell you from first-hand experience that I cannot pass along every cost increase onto my customers, as much as I'd love to be able to, and neither can any other player, large or small, in my industry.

Buy local, support mom&pops instead of chains wherever possible. peacebird Dec 2012 #1
...which are exempt from health insurance requirements jberryhill Dec 2012 #12
I think this is due to social media and the net. Hopefully this attitude will continue FSogol Dec 2012 #2
Yep, human culture is changing rapidly because of social media. tridim Dec 2012 #5
Unfortunately for Papa Johns, people can get cardboard pizza from a lot of different establishments. Pisces Dec 2012 #3
I avoid it for both reasons OnionPatch Dec 2012 #4
The responses were great too :) n/t Sheepshank Dec 2012 #6
I just hate rich assholes... ReRe Dec 2012 #7
+1 sarcasmo Dec 2012 #14
+1000 nt abelenkpe Dec 2012 #29
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I even find middle-income assholes difficult... Squinch Dec 2012 #53
Hello. Squinch. ReRe Dec 2012 #55
I thought long and hard, and then just took the dive... Squinch Dec 2012 #61
I must say MissNostalgia Dec 2012 #8
I find this a very curious conversation humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #9
The ones talking the loudest mean it the least. DirkGently Dec 2012 #15
Accept Lower Profits and Pay CEO's less? humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #23
Nope. That argument ignores the vaunted Free Market. Ikonoklast Dec 2012 #32
LOL humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #38
What is your point? You ignore everything else involved. Ikonoklast Dec 2012 #41
What are you talking about? humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #42
Those that assert, must first prove. Ikonoklast Dec 2012 #50
I am the fact humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #56
Really. You realize you are arguing against yourself, right? Ikonoklast Dec 2012 #59
It was actually more than just wep systems humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #63
They can try. But non-assholes are free to compete. DirkGently Dec 2012 #34
I don't disagree however humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #39
I will gladly pay... sendero Dec 2012 #48
sure a dime here and a nickle there humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #57
I would gladly pay..... sendero Dec 2012 #49
consider Papa Johns as an example... phantom power Dec 2012 #16
Some like Papa John's et.al. humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #24
No. They're screaming because they CAN'T pass it all on. DirkGently Dec 2012 #36
So you too are arguing that somehow humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #40
And yet once again, you ignore competitive market forces. Ikonoklast Dec 2012 #51
I am not disagreeing on the supply/demand humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #58
I am a business owner. Ikonoklast Dec 2012 #60
So what happens when humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #62
Smart business owners avoid controversial topics Major Nikon Dec 2012 #10
Avoid publically stating it but humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #25
What I think would work best is to counter the notion that taxation should be "fair" Major Nikon Dec 2012 #30
The Progressivism in the tax code humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #31
That was the purpose of AMT Major Nikon Dec 2012 #35
Darden Restaurants is backing off (for now) on reducing workers' hours >>>> Roland99 Dec 2012 #11
So instead they have chosen humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #33
Open mouth loose money. Greedy people only understand one thing, $$$$$. sarcasmo Dec 2012 #13
It is build in to the capitalist system. n/t humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #26
It was unheard of that a greedy, selfish business owner would lay his cards out so foolishly pacalo Dec 2012 #17
Just a little FYI, Darden was also one of the corps behind the "Orange County Commission & Mayor" winterpark Dec 2012 #18
I really don't go the the Big Box Food way ..( corp) april Dec 2012 #19
"I avoid corporate food because it's bland and unimaginative." KansDem Dec 2012 #20
well, it's not the raw materials, it's how you combine and prepare them phantom power Dec 2012 #21
It depends on what kind of "food" they're delivering. Mariana Dec 2012 #28
I'm not certain... KansDem Dec 2012 #37
Sysco RedRocco Dec 2012 #45
Never feel sorry for a rich asshole! santamargarita Dec 2012 #22
Obvious: As Unemployment Falls, Biggest Risk To Job Growth Is Self-Inflicted Damage From Bad Policy MediaMan Dec 2012 #27
Thanks phantom power.. I'm with booman.. I don't eat Cha Dec 2012 #43
Possible solution? Incitatus Dec 2012 #44
that is an interesting idea phantom power Dec 2012 #54
Not all local "mom & pop" places are noble some can be as evil as the corporate chains. There was a Raine Dec 2012 #46
. blkmusclmachine Dec 2012 #47
The typical asshole CEO and their cronies are getting exposed more and more, and RKP5637 Dec 2012 #52
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»It turns out that people ...»Reply #60