By JACK FARIS

Things are a little quieter across America these days, now that the elections are over. It’s a welcome respite for small-business owners, who, in addition to running their shops, stores and offices, worked hard to elect pro-free-enterprise candidates at all levels of government.

Their grassroots efforts paid off. Their support of the nation’s largest small-business organization, NFIB, made possible one of the most aggressive outreach campaigns ever conducted. Launching nearly eight million voter contacts, the association energized Main Street as never before.

The get-out-the-vote messages that rippled ever outward from this sector left no doubt that these entrepreneurs were serious in their demands for political leadership on issues ranging from affordable health care to permanent tax relief, to lawsuit reform.

As the sun dawned on America the day after the election, it was painfully clear to the obstructionist, tax-and-spend crowd that it truly was a new day-not just in the sky, but all across the political horizon.

While small-business owners are due a well-deserved break, they cannot rest now. Their help will be needed to ensure passage of legislation important to economic growth.

Although there will be more pro-small-business senators and representatives when the 108th Congress convenes in January, we can expect the opponents of small business to fight tooth-and-nail to earn some points for the 2004 election cycle.

Posturing will be rampant in state legislatures as well, where many are facing serious budget crunches, and spiraling health care and unemployment insurance costs have grown rampantly. In times like these, politicians turn a hungry eye towards little businesses, seeing them as easy targets for devious tax increases and additional regulatory burdens.

But before they begin drafting those back-room tax deals, state lawmakers might want to consider one fact: eight out of 10 NFIB-endorsed state legislature candidates were elected to office Nov. 5. Not only is this evidence of solid strength among small-business activists, it is an indication of a growing trend. These activists are rapidly learning that politics is as important to their businesses as any financial or management function.

Up to now, entrepreneurs have been known for their special talents: They know how to build businesses. They’re experts at creating jobs. They contribute growth to the nation’s economic underpinning. They support our nation’s wealth and prosperity.

In a perfect world, small-business owners would be free to focus on what they do best: running their businesses. But faced with the reality that there are politicians who don’t understand the basics of a free market economy and view small business as a source of tax money to cover their political mistakes and fund ill-conceived programs, the mainstays of Main Street had no choice but to add politics to their special expertise.

For all their successful efforts in this unprecedented election, small-business owners deserve pats on the back and a little rest. But there is no time for congratulations or vacations. It’s time for the real work to begin.

JACK FARIS is president of the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s largest small-business advocacy group.