decision2008ATsac

San Antonio College students' network for the 2008 election

Esmeralda Vielma
Lennie Irvin
1301.064
October 9, 2008
What Really Matters

“Save for a rainy day” in our personal lives and in business as well, we have investments, savings accounts and/ or cash reserves. Most of us put aside money in prosperous times to help us get through difficult times.When asked what matters to Jesus Vielma, a Mexican Restaurant business owner, he responds with an anxious sense of interest that economy, and recession problem are the main points that interested him in this election. Thanks to his savings are helping him to get through this difficult time; also he cared about the two nominees that offer a solution in this election.

Jesus Vielma, is a Mexican Restaurant business owner, In New Braunfels TX. His is a nice person even though he is my brother; I have seen how great he treats all the restaurant customers. I didn’t have a problem asking him questions about this election. He kindly responded me with an interesting issue that concerns him in this 2008 election. Jesus is 38 years old, Hispanic, married, has three kids, graduated from high school in Mexico, and no college education. When I interview Jesus he was reading a Newspaper, and was sitting at the solid mahogany round table, which is close to the colorful mural that is painted on the back wall. He is his own Boss: his job mostly involves supervising his employees, having control of food supplies, taking care of customers, and keeping control of pay role. Every morning he seats at the same table and reads the San Antonio Newspaper. I found that perfect moment to ask him some questions regarding this 2008 election.

I seat next to him with paper and pencil in hand, and started writing notes. My one and only question for Jesus was, “what issue or concern really matters to you in this election.” We talk about some concerns and issues that matters to him for almost 40 minutes. He gave me a great deal of concerns but finally, he said, “economy is the most important one that matters to me.” I noticed that he was keeping track of this election because; he described really well this economic situation. He gave me two good quotes that both side of the candidates said about resolving this economic issue.

This two quotes that he gave me he read them on the internet. http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2008/09/25/candidates-now-fo...“McCain’s plan is to do something about tax cuts and federal spending cuts with targeted tax breaks to spur business investments, I like McCain’s plan because I pay a great amount of taxes annually and by cutting down taxes with targeted tax breaks is going to save me a lot of money.” “Obama he wants to spend in programs that distribute income to low income workers and embracing tax cuts, I also like Obama’s plan because what I have read on the internet this programs that Obama is talking about have a lot of great ways to end this economic issue.”

Jesus mentioned again that these two candidates have great plans but if they don’t do anything quickly, he is afraid his business may slow down, causing an economic recession. “This is a serious situation” because, he worries that if he doesn’t see money entering the restaurant, he is going to be short on budget to pay the restaurant needs. He anxiously said that he made have to take out a lot of money of his savings bank account, which is not for the restaurants need. To pay his employees, and buy food supplies.

I ask Jesus again to see why this issue about economy and recession matters the most to him. He stayed quiet for a second, and then told me in an upset voice that if the economic situation gets worse, then all the money and hard work he has put in to his business would and up as a restaurant bankruptcy.He mentioned that if there is something he could do about this problem, is to get out this country, and find a better place were economy is stable.

Jesus is not alone in his concern about economy. Here is some researched information on public reports about economy. The Economy this week report by Angust loten, inc.com year 2007 said, “Small –business owners and consumers alike are growing increasingly worried about the economy, as the outlook for business conditions and job continues to fade.” Here is another report By, Recession Success Stories Inc .com said, “New Economy abruptly ran out of steam. Dot-coms ran out of money, layoffs were rampant, and the entire city of San Francisco seemed to suffer from an economic hangover. People started to worry openly about a recession.

As we finished our interview, I thanked my brother Jesus Vielma for his patience and time. I’ve know Jesus for 20 years, he is my oldest brother. I admire Jesus for been a great example for me. He made his dream of having his own Mexican restaurant came true. Like he said, having a net egg saved up before you go business can help you avoid this situation

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Response #6

Even know people have a savings that doesn't mean they should use it for there business, it shouldn't have to come to that. That is meant for there own life's, but many small businesses are desperate to keep there business up and going because for many that is there way of life and that is there own income as well. With the economy down many small business can't afford to stay open. With a new president about to come into office hopefully things will get better before it's to late for many.

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I know being a boss is kind of hard the good thing is that he is his own boss. event though he is his own buss he has too much to worry about. I work in a well know restauran here in San Antonio and Im having problem because they dont give me enough hours to work since we are all slow. We are not as busy we used to.
I know for a fact that food is increasing its prices! My manager who I work for is not buying too much food anymore he is just buyin the necessary amount and trying to get as much as possible from it.
It is kind of crazy how the economy is going down and we have to have in mind that is our own fault and it is affecting everyone. also I know that some of the managers are kind and they worry about their employees and they dont want to fire them and the dont want to cut them hours either because they know that the workers could be costumers. We have to remember that all of this is a big circle and we all are attached to it.

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i dont think that your brother is the only buisness owner that is concerned i am also sure that the employees are worried as well. i have been working in a frineds restaurant for a bout amonth now. we have just started but ia m not sure that with what is going on how long it will stay open for. i agree that something has to be done and fast!

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I can vouch for the small business owners part first hand. The skateshop i am working at has been a succesful business for the past 11 years. this year its obvious that the shops income is not as high as it was last year this time. its showing that people just arent spending the money as much as they were and i think its a direct effect of the state of our economy. These small independently pnwed businesses arent going to be able to take much longer of this. its something that needs to be taken care of quickly or the large Conglomerates are going to just take over.

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Way to go Jesus for paving his own way and being successful! The "mom and pop" businesses are really taking a hit with the economic issue that we are in. Hopefully our next president will lead us into better days instead of a recession. I am very impressed with his last quotation! That is good philosophy for business as well as general finances for a homestead, more people should think like that instead of thinking what America owes them!!

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Why should hardwork and sweat to create something grand for yourself be punished. Its commonly known as "Performance Punishment" and its not fair. Unfortunantly getting out of this country wont solve the issue of hard times. Due to our countries short comings other countries are struggling. Most are banking on growth after the election has passed, I say it depends on who you elect!

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I think everyones greatest concerns on the country is the economy. Everyone needs better jobs, a life that can be enjoyed with no worries. As for me i also agree on what your brother is saying because it is very true. great.

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