Unemployment costs are killing small businesses

I run a small business — about 20 employees — in the Baltimore area. We are a manufacturing company in the construction industry. I have worked extremely hard and sacrificed my own pay to keep our people employed over the last five years.

I have not had a layoff and had previously earned a low unemployment tax rate. It used to be 1 percent. In 2011 it was up to 4.463 percent and I got a letter this week saying it will be 11.99 percent for 2012.

It is ridiculous that I am shouldering the costs of all others. Why are we still extending unemployment? It is not unemployment anymore — it is welfare, so let's just call it as it is.

I know as a country we will support our citizens and I am proud that we do. But at what cost — my business and my layoffs?

Nancy Mayer, Elkridge

The writer is president of Mayer Bros. Inc.