As a small business owner, I find recent threats from our current president alarming.
Due to COVID-19 responses, we are already facing an increasing shortage of employees, and requiring all businesses with 100 or more employees to mandate the vaccine will only make this problem worse.
Not only will such an action make an already growing problem worse, but mandating businesses to do such a thing is a clear example of the president overstepping his own authority. I support freedom for individuals to determine whether they need the vaccine, but a political leader forcing individuals to take a vaccine is a highly dangerous precedent. Businesses that provide jobs and revenue for our communities are already too highly regulated without adding a regulation that many see as so brazenly unconstitutional. Elected officials should be doing everything possible to allow businesses to do what they do best: produce good jobs and make our community a better place to live. The role of government regarding businesses is to provide an economic atmosphere that does not hinder the growth of business, but instead encourages a skilled workforce and a growing economy. We need to continue to seek opportunities to stimulate our local economy while meeting pressing needs like adequate infrastructure, and addressing income inadequacies and educational disparities, if we are to continue to grow and prosper. Greenville County is a great place to live with a strong economy. Placing additional regulations on businesses is not the way to stimulate and improve our economy anywhere - let alone in Greenville County.
Joey Russo
Travelers Rest
