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Home / Washington Business - September/October 2006 / Politics: Politics are a cost of doing business |
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Politics: Politics are a cost of doing business |
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Written On: September/October 2006 |
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Vito Chiechi has been involved in state politics for nearly a half century, starting with the Boeing Co. and then as Clerk of the House. He is currently a political consultant and was awarded AWB’s Ron Gjerde Award by his peers in the business lobby.
How often have I heard business people moaning about "what the government did to us" while standing on the sidelines, baffled by the process and too busy or uncomfortable to get involved? Yet, to be mystified, annoyed or frustrated by the way government works is a luxury that members of the business community can ill afford. Likewise, to cozy up to the party that best represents your own philosophies while ignoring the other is a short-sighted approach, the downside of which becomes readily apparent the minute the other party takes control of the Legislature and the governor’s office.
You can always sit back and wait two or four years, hoping fate will send power back your way, but by then the business climate may have undergone changes your own company can’t ride out. Trusting luck isn’t a strategy you would allow your marketing department to employ, and it surely doesn’t have a successful track record in the political arena. However, it’s what many business owners allow to happen.
I have often asked business people, "What are you going to do about it?" I usually get a predictable response:
• There is nothing I can do about it.
• Who can I talk to?
• The inept state Legislature doesn’t know what it’s doing.
• It’s just politics, and I can’t affect what happens in the political process.
• I don’t have time to get into politics.
What these excuses result in is government continuing to pass burdensome laws, ordinances and taxes that have made Washington one of the least business-friendly states. Politics should be a line item in your budget because it costs you dearly when you choose not to be engaged in the process.
It isn’t rocket science to realize that if you don’t want to pay more in taxes or hire more employees to comply with new government regulations, you really can’t afford not to get involved. The people on the opposite side of your issues aren’t choosing to stay ignorant of the process or uninvolved, so it makes no sense that you would.
How do I get started?
You’ve taken the first step by joining AWB, an organization that is on the front line, defending your business interests every day. However, they need your help. They need you to learn who represents you in Olympia. They need you to go to them and ask how you can help in their campaigns. You’ll be surprised at the reactions you receive. They will wrap their arms around you just because you asked.
The earlier in the process you get acquainted, the easier it will be to keep that legislator informed about your issues. Freshmen move up the ladder. They become committee chairs, maybe even speaker of the House. See how easy it is to get an appointment once a legislator becomes speaker if he or she doesn’t know your face. It’s not just how politics works, it’s how business works. Being an informed and engaged constituent makes AWB’s job a lot easier, and you’ll get a lot more in return for your dues.
Politics: Be something
One good rule to go by in government and politics is to be something — either Republican or Democrat. Participate in the give-and-take of politics. Just like business, the game of politics is a contact sport. That means going to your local political party to ask, "How can I get involved?"
One of the most effective ways to get involved is to step back, look at yourself and ask, "Am I capable of running and getting elected to political office, or do I have a good employee who I can help to run?" You can go a long way with a very small amount of effort. The key is to recognize that politics isn’t a seasonal commitment or somebody else’s responsibility.
Whether or not you have the time or inclination to get involved, know that the game is going to be played with or without you. How it turns out is up to you.
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