“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

The quote —an excerpt from The Declaration of Independence—paints a rather ideal picture of how everyday Americans influence the United States political system. As an American voter, do you ever ask yourself if your elected and prospective elected leaders of government represent the needs of the average or majority of American citizens? Do you question your happiness with the current state of the American political system? If the answer to any of these questions is “no”, you are not alone; American voters are becoming increasingly angry with the United States political system.

In fact, according to a late October 2015 survey conducted by Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion Strategies, over sixty percent of Americans are angry because they feel the political system only works to serve the interests of the insiders with money, influence, and power, such as those on Wall Street or in Washington, instead of working to serve and enhance the well-being of everyday people (www.nbcnews.com).

View the full survey here.

Indeed, a majority of the electorate—the body of persons entitled to vote in an election—are angry at the political system regardless of their party, race, educational background, and income level. For instance, when a those surveyed were asked about the extent of their anger, the survey found that 72 percent of men, 67 percent of women, 69 percent of whites, 68 percent of African Americans, 65 percent of Hispanics, 73 percent of college graduates, 67 percent of non-college attendees, 71 percent of those in the lowest income bracket, and 67 percent of those in the highest income bracket are angry at current political institutions.

But why are so many different groups of American voters so dissatisfied? The answer may partially lie in the general voting behavior patterns as well as the longstanding voting rules and protocol by which voters must abide. The infographic below finds that American voters are not actively voting enough, thus denying their voices to be heard. Another example of voter resentment could be due to a lack of voter participation in midterm elections—elections in which representatives are chosen to become members of the United States Congress.

While elected officials may not always hold themselves accountable in serving the interests of the majority, the Obama administration has recently announced the launch of a new program called “the White House Leadership Development Program”, an initiative designed to indoctrinate a new cohort of top career federal managers who will serve to modernize the government. According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), a diverse group of sixteen highly scrutinized individuals will act to engage more frequently in complex, cross agency challenges to improve government agencies and produce positive outcomes from such challenges (www.govexec.com). These future leaders have undergone a rigorous selection process in which they demonstrated their ability to effectively collaborate, communicate, adapt, perform strategic planning, demonstrate politically awareness, and identify and overcome unconventional challenges. It is important to realize that these future leaders will ultimately be held accountable by voters to foster positive reformations in the American political system.

So, when will elected officials become more accountable to everyday American citizens? Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer, but there are ways in which the general public and elected officials can instill confidence (or the pursuit of happiness) among American voters. The most obvious way to decrease public discontent is to ensure that qualified voters exercise their constitutional right to vote; keep in mind that one characteristic of a legitimate democratic society is the occurrence of routinely held free and fair elections. After all, democracy is contingent upon the integrity of majority rule and individual rights.

In this technology-driven day and age, critics of smartphone consumers condemn users about their fondness for taking selfies (a photo taken of oneself with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media), which critics believe are causing people to become increasingly vain, narcissistic, and self-absorbed. But, could taking a selfie make you richer? According to www.nextgov.com, some state revenue agencies and motor vehicle departments are receiving federal tax returns to verify the smartphone selfies of taxpayers in order to distribute refunds.

That’s right, selfies are not just for posting to social media platforms anymore; they are for security too. Indeed, in late 2016, residents of North Carolina and Georgia will be permitted to download a ‘selfie matching’ facial recognition application meant to deter thieves from claiming state tax refunds in their name. MorphoTrust, the biometric technology provider of this innovative mobile application, remains cognizant of the fact that confidential biographical data alone is not enough protection against identity theft as more and more personal data is readily available online. More compelling evidence of identity theft comes from the federal government when in August 2015, it disclosed that identity thieves entered stolen private information of over 300,000 individuals, and filed for $39 million in fraudulent funds. In another case, TurboTax had to suspend its state return filing services earlier this year after numerous states reported thieves using false identities to collect refunds.

In spite of rising rates of cyber-criminal activity, thousands of North Carolina and Georgia residents will be able to prevent anyone from filing and collecting their refund if they do not possess the same facial features, personal information, and driver’s license credentials beginning in late 2016, according to officials. To explain how this facial recognition application will have a positive effect for taxpayers, the designers describe how the MorphoTrust mechanism will work (www.nextgov.com):

• An individual will download a MorphoTrust application that will be available on several smartphone models
• The user will scan the barcode on their driver’s license with the phone
• The individual uses the phone to take a photo of the front of the license so that DMV can verify it is a valid license
• Users then take a selfie by opening their phone cameras and taking a self-portrait
• The taxpayer consequently consents to having the barcode scan and photo cross-matched with data in the DMV’s records

Furthermore, the images that are transmitted will not be stored nor shared by MorphoTrust, the DMV, or the taxpayer to ensure absolute protection for the application user. This kind of identity security is important especially with the increasing incidences of hacking, data breaches, and phishing scams that are targeting individuals and government agencies, like the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which is now facing a class action lawsuit over a breach of 4.2 million federal employees’ personal data.

To heighten awareness of internet users, President Obama has recognized the importance of cybersecurity to our nation by designating October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month. According to the Department of Homeland Security, National Cyber Security Awareness Month is designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity and increasing the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident (www.dhs.gov).

Unfortunately, selfies are not yet the norm for identity verification nor identity protection. However, the Department of Homeland Security has provided Americans with the following internet user advice to practice in order to keep themselves, their personal information, and their assets safe online (www.dhs.gov):

• Set strong passwords and don’t share them with anyone.
• Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software optimized by installing updates.
• Maintain an open dialogue with your employees, co-workers, and colleagues about Internet safety.
• Limit the amount of personal information you post online and use privacy settings to avoid sharing information widely.
• Be cautious about what you receive or read online—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Ultimately, internet users who are active in the online community must be as protective about their information as they are about family and finances. Since online security is far from “theft-proof”, my advice is to create and frequently change passwords, secure your wireless networks, and be a good online citizen.

The infographic shown below is useful for both small businesses and individuals as cybersecurity is a major component of safety in today’s digital age.

Free-Trade is a staple of American democracy. Free-trade and globalization has allowed America and countries around the globe to open up their markets by removing trade barriers such as tariffs; allowing goods and services from around the world to compete with domestic products and services. According to The House Small Business Committee, “International trade is a critical component for the long-term growth and viability of small businesses and the U.S. economy overall. In 2012, total U.S. exports reached $2.2 trillion, which is nearly 14 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. Those exports helped support nearly 10 million jobs, including about 4 million small business jobs” (SmallBusiness.House.Gov). Ultimately, the exportation of goods and services provide small businesses with greater opportunities to reach new markets, increase revenue, and create jobs.

Lately, in the world of free-trade policy, there has been an increase in news coverage of the United States as it enters the final stages of negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The Office of the United States Trade Representative officially defines the TPP as the author of the rules for global trade—rules that will help increase Made-in-America exports, grow the American economy, support well-paying American jobs, and strengthen the American middle class (www.ustr.gov/tpp/). In spite of such great expectations, many members of the general public are not exactly aware of this agreement or what it entails. So, what exactly is the TPP and what does it mean for everything?

According to the New York Times, the TPP is the largest regional trade accord in history, and if implemented, would set new terms for trade and business investment among 12 countries whose combined annual gross domestic product (GDP) of nearly $28 trillion represents 40 percent of global GDP and one-third of world trade. The agreement has yet to be ratified by Pacific Rim Nation lawmakers in The United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Japan—the parties included in the agreement. Michael Froman, the United States Trade Representative has stated that the trade would be worth $295 billion over the next ten years and will support job expansion, drive sustainable growth, foster inclusive development, and promote innovation across the Asia-Pacific region and benefit United States citizens.

However, critics of the trade agreement contend that the TPP is anything but free-trade, arguing instead that it is nothing but controlled trade that protects multinational corporations and corporate interests against economic regulations—regulations that are designed to protect the public interest. Opponents also criticize the deal based on issues that will imply consolidation of power, reduction of government transparency, lessening of environmental and health protection standards, pharmaceutical monopolies, manipulation of currency, offshoring of jobs, a reduction of internet privacy, decreases in food safety standards, and the undermining of local control.

In like manner, US Senator Bernie Sanders, a US Democratic presidential candidate, has said that “Wall Street and other big corporations have won a big victory to advance a disastrous trade deal” (www.bbc.com/news/business). The “win” to which Sanders refers is about the geopolitical maneuvering and further corporate domination over participating nations’ trade and investment affairs that opponents say the TPP will impose. For example, if the TPP is signed into law, large foreign corporate firms will be able to sue the United States government for actions that undermine their investment expectations in order to obtain taxpayer compensation for loss of said firms expected future profits (www.huffingtonpost.com).

In the event that the TPP is ratified by lawmakers, the Electronic Frontier Foundation states that the agreement would raise significant concerns about citizens’ freedom of expression, due process, innovation, the future of the internet’s global infrastructure, and the right of sovereign nations to develop policies and laws that best meet their domestic priorities. In essence, the TPP puts at risk some of the most fundamental rights that enable access to knowledge for the world’s population (www.eff.ord/issues/tpp).

Given these points, the overall lack of knowledge held by the general public about this trade agreement is the most dangerous aspect of the TPP’s potential implementation.

“The biggest mistake a small business can make is to think like a small business”

—Postfilm Design

In the rapidly globalizing world in which we live today, many individuals neglect to take time to consider how great of an impact entrepreneurs have on our everyday lives. Dictionary.com accurately defines an entrepreneur as “a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable risk.” Indeed, being an entrepreneur is not for those who do not have a strong will to prevail. Evidently, if entrepreneurial-minded people like JK Rowling, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, or Jeff Bezos never followed their grandiose visions, the world as we know it may have never read a Harry Potter book, experienced the IPhone, or enjoyed the benefits free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime.

While no two entrepreneurs are identical in their endeavors, business-minded individuals must be determined, dedicated and disciplined to ensure success in their small business undertakings as there really is nothing small about operating a business of any size. This message was reinforced at a “Big Think” series event sponsored by the Small Business Administration (SBA) on 21 September 2015, titled, “Economic Mobility: Entrepreneurship & the Opportunity Gap” in which panelists discussed how to reduce the barriers to starting a business and increase economic mobility through entrepreneurship. The esteemed panel of Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Alan Krueger, Princeton University most notably touched on the topic of economic, political, and social discrimination of marginalized individuals (women, minorities, disabled persons, veterans, young people etc.) in small businesses. Findings by the SBA included reference to multiple studies which found disproportionate numbers of loan denials to minority business owners, despite controls for metrics of financial health¹.

In an ideal world, an entrepreneur with a profound idea translated into a tangible business model and the willpower to execute should be able to fulfill their small business goals. Unfortunately, research shows that despite their growing economic significance, firms owned by women and minority entrepreneurs tend to be smaller, less profitable, and carry lower survival rates than their male or non-minority counterparts. In contrast, entrepreneurship has been found to be relatively more enhanced among white, native-born, and long-term community members when compared to minority, immigrant, and recent-entrant community members¹. Furthermore, minority small business owners—especially Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs—are disproportionately denied credit when they apply for credit even after controlling for business credit scores, personal wealth, and revenues¹.

This is a giant problem in the United States where the American dream is meant to provide equal opportunity to all of its citizens—including entrepreneurs—regardless of the race, creed, religion, age, gender, or socioeconomic status. Research implies, however, that the American dream inherently allows the aforementioned distinctions to limit small business ambitions. So, how can disadvantaged groups advance their opportunity for success in the world of small business?

Much of the answer lies in the advocacy efforts of both the SBA and the Office of the National Ombudsman—a small business overseer that has helped thousands of small businesses save time and money by resolving difficult regulatory compliance and enforcement issues. According to the SBA, The National Ombudsman works directly with federal regulators as part of President Obama’s mandate to promote a level playing field for small businesses². By working with federal regulators, The National Ombudsman is able to facilitate practical and timely resolutions of Regulatory Enforcement Fairness (REF) matters that impact small businesses. A few of the ways in which The National Ombudsman executes fair enforcement of small business regulation include²:

• Providing small business owners a confidential way to report and resolve federal REF problems, like excessive enforcement action or disproportionate fines
• Escalating small business concerns to federal agencies for fairness review and resolution
• Grading federal agencies on their small business policies and practices

By connecting with The National Ombudsmen online, at regional SBA listening sessions, or in person, disadvantaged small business owners are able to provide helpful input on REF issues that can assist federal regulators to better comprehend how government can best support small business success. In fact, The National Ombudsman provides an annual report to Congress on its findings that highlights the impact of the policies and practices of every federal agency that touches small businesses. With these means, all hope is not lost for marginalized small business owners and entrepreneurs.

1. Kymn, Christine. “Access to Capital for Women- and Minority-owned Businesses: Revisiting Key Variables.” Www.sba.gov/advocacy. The Office of Economic Research of the Office for Advocacy, 29 Jan. 2014. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
   
2. “Advocacy and Ombudsman: Watching Out for the Interests of Small Businesses.” Resource Guide for Small Business 2015: 52. Print.