Vision - January/February 2008 - (Page 2) Shapiro’S Spectrum on the consumer electronics horizon “Our prosperity, and even free trade, can no longer be taken for granted.” Comstock Images/Jupiter Images Presidential Politics T he tech industry has a lot at stake in the next Presidential election. We have prospered since 1980 as four different presidents have been pro-business and ardent advocates of free trade. Our prosperity, and even free trade, can no longer be taken for granted. Recently, the Wall Street Journal found that most Republicans no longer support free trade. New proposals to restrict or tax imports or fight trade treaties spring up every day. Candidates talk “gleefully” of reform of the tax system—meaning higher corporate rates or a national sales tax. Even with pro-business administrations, our industry is more regulated than ever before. TV sets must have V-chips, captioning and tuners. Royalty taxes are paid on certain recording products and others are restricted. Innovators face potential legal challenges if they introduce products or services which allow content, even if lawfully acquired, to be shifted in time, place or managed. New proposals and laws emerge every day which set restrictions on innovation and energy usage or require recycling. Our industry has been responsible in so many ways. We have done more on recycling and energy efficiency than any other industry. We have helped enrich many in the content community and given new creators other outlets to reach the public. We have helped improve lives and free up spectrum with HDTV. And our products that connect to the Internet or the communications pipelines have changed how we communicate, receive information, educate and entertain. But a government that allows innovation is not a given. Some want to see progress stopped, old business models preserved or our nation ensconced with a wall around our perimeter. That’s why you must get involved. Support our Political Action Committee. Sign on for free trade at CES. Get active on energy, the environment and IP issues. Step it up even more. Get involved in local Congressional campaigns. Ask your legislators where they stand on these issues. Get involved in a Presidential campaign. Will Hillary Clinton be as pro-free trade as her husband? Support her if you get the answers that fit your philosophy. Some CEA senior employees believe so and will support her. Others are looking at Barack Obama. I have chosen to help start a group of “Tech Executives for Romney”. Of all the candidates he has been strongest on free trade and attracting the kind of skilled workers our nation needs to prosper. He is a former businessman and founded Bain Capital, one of the nation’s most successful venture capital and investment companies. Bain Capital helped guide hundreds of companies on a successful course, including Staples and Brookstone. More, CEA member and head of eBay, Meg Whitman heads his campaign. We have a lot at stake in the next election. For the sake of our industry, its citizens and our nation, I urge you to get involved. • For information on how you can be a part of CEAPAC, contact Stacie Aman at (703) 907-5223 or saman@CE.org 2 January/February 2008 www.ce.org http://www.ce.org
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