1. Ok, here's a quick thread on a simple question that seems apolitical but isn't. How easy is should it be to open and run an independent store? Late last month, the Republicans on the FTC gave their answer. They decided independent stores should die.

2. To run an economy with small businesses, you have to have plumbing that allows small businesses to exist. Distributors that sell in smaller amounts, payment systems, credit, etc. New York City has a lot of bodegas bc this infrastructure exists. Most U.S. areas don't.