Ask an Expert: Comparing the candidates, continued

— -- Q: Will Barack Obama really raise taxes on my business? Are John McCain's tax cuts just for the rich? Who is telling the truth here? — Larry

(Part 2 of 2. Read Part 1)

A: To say I received a little feedback on last week's column would be an understatement.

Some of it was reasoned and some was not. Several McCain supporters wrote to tell me "Obama is going to raise our taxes!" But when I asked for proof, given Obama's pledge to raise taxes on only the top 5 percent of wage earners, I never heard much back.

The only ones who did offer a factual argument were the folks from Sure Payroll who informed me of a survey they conducted which found that more than 60% of small business owners surveyed like McCain better. That's an impressive number.

In any case, the point of that column, and this one, is to look beyond labels and see which candidate might really be best for small business. When I began this exercise, I didn't know which candidate would look better. Last week, Obama came out on top. This week. .. he does again.

(I should point out that before I get skewered once more that I have in fact voted for John McCain before.)

So who is right? Am I? I don't know, but I sure think so, and below you will read why. But whatever the case, let's hope whoever wins knows what they are doing. We are in a heap of trouble, amigos.

The economy:It is no secret that one of the main culprits in the economic calamity we are witnessing is a lack of regulation. Given that, I don't see how someone who calls himself "fundamentally a deregulator" can be the right choice right now.

Yes, I know my small business brethren hate regulations. Duly noted.

Combined with an admission that economic matters are not his strong suit, and even though Obama's lack of experience is no doubt troubling, events this week leave no option but to conclude that McCain, at least on this issue, is lacking.

(It is also not insignificant that President Bush' plan to partially privatize Social Security by investing retirement funds in the stock market, supported by McCain, did not pass.)