A Georgia business owner has put up a sign that is causing some controversy. It reads:

“New Company Policy: We are not hiring until Obama is gone.”

The owner says that it’s nothing personal. It’s not attack on the President but on his policies. Bill Looman explained that he can’t afford to hire right now. “I’ve got people that I want to hire now, but I just can’t afford it. And I don’t foresee that I’ll be able to afford it unless some things change in D.C.”

There’s a lesson here for those who believe that we need tax increases. If this business can’t afford to hire anybody now, what makes anybody think that he’s going to be able to hire more people when he’s paying more in taxes? Maybe he’s making too much money, tax-promoters might say. Then what incentive does he have to work as hard as he does to keep his business going if he’s not going to be rewarded for his hard work and extra hours?

“Looman’s company is U.S. Cranes, LLC.  He said he put up the signs, and first posted pictures of the signs on his personal Facebook page, six months ago, and he said he received mostly positive reaction from people, ‘about 20-to-one positive.’ But for some reason, one of the photos went viral on the Internet. . . .”

“And the reaction has been so intense, pro and con, he’s had to have his phones disconnected because of the non-stop calls, and he’s had to temporarily shut down his company’s website because of all the traffic crashing the system.”

Somebody reported Looman to the FBI claiming that he was a threat to national security. Intimidating people who voice their opinion is a tactic of the Left. They use the First Amendment as a wedge to get in the door, and then once in the building they close it to shut out all competitive speech. It’s a common tactic. The Berkley “Free Speech Movement” is a classic example.

The Department of Homeland Security and finally Secret Service agents interviewed him. They left in a good mood. No harm no foul.

Mr. Looman is keeping the signs and online photos up. He served 10 years as a Marine. He knows what it means to defend our freedoms. He’s not backing down. He’s right. “A lot of people are waking up.” I hope it’s going to be enough in 2012.