Small business owners are dissatisfied with the current state of the federal government, finds a poll released this morning by American Management Services. Sixty three percent of respondents feel as if the government is doing "nothing' to help small businesses and a quarter feel as if the government is doing "little."

"The results are clear. Our country's 23 million small business owners are disappointed with the lack of action on their behalf. While Wall Street and big businesses get bailed out, small businesses receive no assistance in these difficult times," George Cloutier, founder and CER of American Management Services. 

A whopping 81% of small business owners feel the country is in an economic recession, and half believe the economy will get worse before it gets better. Fifty seven percent say that the economy has already affected their business. 

"It's time the federal government and congressional leadership implement concrete emergency programs to help small businesses," Clouter says. 

The poll also points to data suggesting that 49% of all respondents think that gas and energy costs are the most pressing business issue facing small businesses today, even above health care. 

When it comes to forecasting the '08 race, SMB owners are for Senator John McCain over Sen. Barack Obama by a margin of 38% to 21%, with 32% of the respondents undecided.  

Almost half of all respondents say they do not know which candidate has the best policy for small businesses, but in terms of vice presidential options, most favor those with strong economic backgrounds. Sen. Hillary Clinton netted 49% of support from Democrats and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has 43% of support from Republicans. 

The poll was conducted from June 23 to July 3, 2008 and included 400 small business owners from a national sample.