Buckle up, because it looks like we’re in for another round of political gridlock and dysfunction. According to a recent poll from Goldman Sachs, 91% of small business owners are begging our lawmakers to avert a government shutdown. Wait, let me repeat that. 91% of small business owners are practically on their knees, pleading for some semblance of stability in our government. But I guess that’s just too much to ask for these days.

But let’s not forget who might just suffer the most if this shutdown actually happens. That’s right, small businesses. You know, the ones that employ almost half of all private sector workers and are the first to feel the pain when the economy takes a downward turn. But hey, who needs small businesses anyways? Certainly not our esteemed policymakers who seem to have forgotten that these entrepreneurs contribute significantly to our nation’s economy.

Let’s look at the numbers… According to the same survey, 70% of small business owners predict a negative impact on their business if a shutdown occurs. And for those who don’t understand percentages, that’s a pretty large majority. Not to mention, a whopping 93% of those businesses believe their revenue will take a hit.

But I’m sure our lawmakers have a plan to make up for those losses, right? Oh wait, they don’t? Shocking.

Just the thought of a government shutdown is enough to make any small business owner break out in a cold sweat. It’s not just about lost revenue, it’s about the uncertainty and stress that comes with it. And don’t we all know that stress isn’t good for business.

So to all our esteemed lawmakers, can we please find a more stable way of addressing the nation’s debt ceiling? It’s not just about politics and party lines, it’s about real people and real businesses that are counting on you to do your jobs. Let’s not forget that small businesses are the backbone of this country and without them, our economy could quickly crumble.