Slap! Did anyone else feel the pain when President Barack Obama showed his disdain for small business owners in his speech in Roanoke, Va., on July 14? I did.

His words revealed to me, again, that he thinks big government is the solution to everything.

More importantly, his words showed me how “out of touch” he is with the concepts of free enterprise, innovation, entrepreneurship, initiative, hard work and risk — words that small business owners know all too well because they live them.

The creation of a new business is incredibly difficult, especially with bureaucratic red tape, high taxation, exorbitant health care costs and a bad economy. The creators often work seven days a week, 18 hours a day — without sick leave or vacations. Some of them have to work another job to supplement the losses common in the first few years of operating. Many spend sleepless nights worrying about losing everything they have mortgaged or borrowed from friends and family members.

Because these businesses are small, many owners become emotionally involved with their workers. At times, they have to suffer through laying off employees (friends) in order to stay afloat. The rate of small business failure is incredibly high. When businesses survive, it is in spite of the government, not because of it.

Obama should remember how the David and Goliath story ends. Big government does not get credit for this one. The amazing entrepreneurs do.

Donna Helwig, Auburn