US businesses share top concerns ahead of second Republican presidential primary debate

As the 2024 Republican presidential candidates prepare to take the stage for the second primary debate, three American business owners discussed their top concerns over the state of the nation with FOX News Digital. 

"I personally feel all the ‘free’ money that was given out during the COVID closures were the start of things going poorly, and now government is raising taxes and interest rates so as to gain back some of that money that was given out, all while still spending recklessly," Houston Fast Track owner Vera Balic said.

"I think the most important thing would be what exit strategy they would provide to put in to get us out of the Ukraine war," Connecticut bakery owner Nora Brunnett also told Digital. "I want my children and my grandchildren to really have an America without a war."

"Why is over $70 billion of our tax money going over to a war that, here, the people aren't asking for? I've been to war and it's not a pretty sight," Direction.com CEO and Army veteran Chris Kirksey also said. "And knowing that I'm paying all these tax dollars to fund something that I am pretty strongly against, the killing of other people, it's just kind of sad to see."

All three business owners – who participated in RedBalloon’s Freedom Economy Index survey last month – expressed their lack of confidence in current elected leaders to address policies impacting their success and quality of life in "troubling" ways.

Those issues include government spending and national debt, rising costs of everyday goods, lack of domestic energy production and unfriendly small business taxes – all topics that any of the GOP presidential candidates may note on the second primary debate stage Wednesday night, moderated by FOX Business.