If there is a rock and a hard place in the U.S. economy, small businesses are there.
Right in that little crevice where money is tight — and getting tighter. Right where weekly payrolls can be financed only by personal credit cards or home equity loans. And right where "income" for the boss is taking five bucks from the till and paying for a sandwich that day for lunch.
"Small businesses are in a real tough spot now," says Todd McCracken, president of the National Small Business Association.