Jobs and job creation are priorities for every country's economy. Improving regulations is vital for all entrepreneurs and key to creating more employment opportunities. Young people looking for their first jobs and unemployed people benefit the most from such reform.

These are micro-entrepreneurs. . . . With the economy slowing down, when regular jobs shrink, people turn to starting their own business. I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but you can't accept these uncritically.

In a down economy, when people are let go from their jobs and they are unable to walk across the street and get another job immediately, there's a much greater chance they're going to be angry and upset.

Entrepreneurs are not as optimistic as they were earlier in the year, which is an indication our economy may be leveling off to some extent, ... Certainly, small-business owners are experiencing more cost pressures than they were in the spring, and it is no secret small businesses are coping with rising gas prices.

We're still waiting to see a pick-up in jobs creation.

Alleviating the plight of manufacturing, and countering the downward pressures on the economy, are now key priorities.