What about people who need help now?

A letter to President Obama: I am a 55-year-old woman, small business owner who is caught in our failing economy. I own two women's boutiques, both located in the small "Mainstreet" communities of Libertyville and Crystal Lake. I have not only invested in my businesses over the past 16 years, but I also own both of the buildings my businesses are housed in, both of which exude the character of small town USA. As a result of the downturn in my business, I have cut back wherever possible. I have personally taken only minimal pay since January of last year so I can pay my employees, cover my expenses and keep my doors open. As thing now go from bad to worse, I find myself in the position of many other small businesses. I cannot pay my bills on time, so my vendors are hesitant to ship goods. The few customers who are walking in the door are puzzled by the limited and dated selection, and therefore spending little if anything. If I close my doors and am unable to find new tenants (doubtful in this environment) I will not be able to make the mortgage payments on the buildings. Of course these loans are personally guaranteed, so I am at risk of losing everything, my house included! My point is this; I am hard working, honest, taxpaying citizen. Now, as a result of what seems to me to be the obscene greed of our financial leaders and the ineptitude of many of our political leaders, I am in real danger of losing everything. I am asking you what I should do right now? Where should I go for help right now?

Sherree Rothstein

Libertyville