http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/danie...135552516.html

Also, the US Chamber just published its quarterly report (Q1-2012). The findings offer no surprises. There are all kinds of stats in the report, but this most telling:

89% of all small business owners (which make up 95% of all businesses) site federal regulations as the biggest impediment to growth and stability. 52% said they would NOT hire, but would not lay off either, until the regs coming out of Washington are rolled back, and set for an extended period. Uncertainty adds to the angst. 30% anticipate further layoffs directly tied to federal regulations. Only 18% anticipate adding jobs the rest of 2012, into 2013.

Specifically, the biggest reg concerns are:

obamacare 38%
EPA 21%
increased taxes 19%
new labor laws 17%
other fed regs 5%

Tight credit adds to small business woes. In years past businesses might get an increase on a LOC to help make ends meet. Tighter fed regs (on banks) have rendered that practice extinct, unless of course they have equity/collateral out there wahzoos, which most small businesses don't.