I'm loving these letters about creative problems. Keep 'em comin'!

Dear Cary,

I'm an art director/graphic designer and have more than quite a few years experience behind me, as well as a BFA. I am capable and qualified to do what I do. I have active memberships in national professional organizations, and work on staying current in my constantly changing-by-the-minute field.

Over these many years I have always donated my time and talents when asked by various nonprofits, schools, communities and churches. I enjoy seeing something succeed because of my efforts and having that going to the greater good (posters, fliers, logos, ad campaigns, banners, T-shirts, teaching, promotional efforts of all kinds, you name it and they've asked for it).

As of January I decided to put a moratorium on my professional services for anything that does not involve pay.

Let me say this: The people who sincerely appreciate what I can contribute through these volunteer efforts are the only reason that I have continued to this point. On the other hand, the bevy of comments that I have heard of late is flabbergasting. They are irrelevant, off-base and sometimes just mean.

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Funny thing about small businesses. Not only are they responsible for creating lots and lots of jobs, but they're also responsible for the loss of lots and lots of jobs.

That insight comes courtesy of Inc. Magazine's Bo Burlingham, in the intriguing article "Who Really Creates the Jobs?" Burlingham's investigation should be required reading for every pundit who wants to wax eloquent about the government role in spurring small business job creation, because it makes a convincing case that both Republicans and Democrats are going about things all wrong -- at least at the federal level.

"If you were to group together the vast majority of small companies," writes Burlingham, "their net job generation would add up to zero."

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