Wow, a new survey index result by the National Federation of Independent Businesses shows small businesses in the United States are a bunch of economic pessimists.

The National Federation of Independent Business Index of Small Business Optimism lost 1.2 points in March, falling to 86.8. The persistence of index readings below 90 is unprecedented in survey history.

Unprecedented. 18 consecutive months of readings below 90.

This doesn't bode well for job creation. Small Business is the job engine of America. To find out the percentages of jobs created by small businesses, read this analysis post from October 2009.