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Small-business owners are an optimistic lot, even when they're pessimistic.

That apparently contradictory result leaped from the National Small Business Association's 2008 Survey of Small and Mid-Size Business, released Wednesday.

“This year, a whopping 71 percent have a negative outlook on the economy — clearly small business is feeling the pinch,” said Todd McCracken, association president.

The survey found, overall, sales and profits were down, and fewer jobs were being created this year than in any of the 15 years in which this survey series has been conducted.