It seem to me that something has got to give in this economy. I am seeing the effects of the lack of workers from my own operation to the deli counter at the local grocery store. Printing "Help Wanted" signs has got to be a great business. Small business is forced to raise base wages and offer some benefits. Many around here are offering signing bonuses.

Smaller and smaller companies are going to have to find a way to offer health insurance and 401(k) plans in order to attract employees. This will have to have an impact on the cost of goods and services. It will also cause more entrepreneurs to give up on their dream because they can't compete in this business climate.

The latest government report says that 44 million or so Americans don't have health insurance. No surprise. The premium for the policy my family has just increased 250%! It seems the insurer wants out of the small group plans. Many "Mom and Pop" operations may have to send Mom to work for the school system in order to get health insurance.

Meanwhile the inflation numbers are staying low. I think the lid is about to come off the pressure cooker. Increasing costs of labor have got to result in increased product and service prices. Increasing productivity and decreasing margins works for a while but not forever. Some are getting squeezed.

We are seeing an increase in the number of clients at our local food bank. The booming economy seems to be missing more people for some reason. Maybe the crushing consumer debt load leaves nothing at the end of the month for groceries.

I am still upbeat about my company's future. Labor and insurance costs are just part of the headaches I signed up for when I got myself into this business. We will find a way to survive and prosper. That's what an entrepreneur does.