Dear Santa,

We entrepreneurs have been good little boys and girls all year, adding value to the economy and improving the quality of life for everyone. In return, we do not ask for much. We are not asking for piles of government cash like the banks and the big automobile manufacturers. We want only the opportunity to earn our own money and to keep most of it. To that end, it would be nice if we had:

1   An end to panic – we are not asking to avoid the recession, Santa, because we know that would be asking too much, since something like this is long overdue, but there is no need for this hysterical phase;

2   Some reasonable bankers – who understand that the long term survival of their banks depends on our long term survival;

3   Some politicians with some experience of running a business – who realise that they cannot impose more taxes and regulations on us without reducing our ability to generate the money they want from us;

4   Public confidence in our ability to deliver solutions to the economic problems we face, given time and a minimum of interference;

5   Stable markets – their actual level is less important than their consistency;

6   Fewer ignorant and idiotic self-styled “commentators” suggesting that free markets and global trade are doomed – there is no reason why they should be, unless the suggestions themselves cause such irrational panic that they become self-fulfilling;

7   Peace and Goodwill to all – well, it is Christmas ...and Peace and Goodwill are good for business.

If only we were given these gifts, we could give the world a substantial recovery by 2010. If only...