Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 23

By: David Pinkham, Manager, Government Affairs GREAT news, fellow auto care professionals. For the first time in recent memory, AAPEX does not conflict with Election Day. That means that we no longer have to vote absentee (or forget to vote absentee), and can partake in the patriotic ritual of voting in-person on Tuesday, Nov. 8. OK, maybe you are not that excited. Perhaps that has something to do with your feelings toward the candidates, the election process or government in general, which is totally understandable. Over the last five years, polling has consistently shown congressional job approval hovering just above single digits. Meanwhile, in what some have called the most important presidential election of our lifetimes, voter satisfaction with the candidates now sits at 33 percent. Don't be surprised if that number continues to fall as we get closer to Election Day. So if you feel disillusioned by government or just plain exhausted by the 24/7 media coverage of the political horserace, you are certainly not alone. However, the mistake people often make is grouping electoral politics in with public policy, which are two entirely different institutions. Yes, your preferred candidate needs to win in order for them to have an impact on actually influencing policy, but how often do we vote someone in without knowing anything about them simply because they align with a particular party or because you heard something about the other candidate that may or may not be true. Whe n the d compare d to ownthe b the W a hite H llot races impact o impa , f ct on ouse ma whoever all yh w you a nd yo ave the l ins east ur bu s iness . It's no secret that most Americans only tune into politics every four years and only take the time to form a few opinions about the presidential candidates. Yes, the presidential race is a cultural phenomenon that certainly has an impact on the direction of our country. However, when compared to the impact of all the down-ballot races, whoever wins the White House may have the least impact on you and your business. Therefore it is critical that you also focus on the other candidates on your ballot, from congressional to state to the city council. How will each candidate, if elected, likely vote on the issues that have a direct impact on your bottom line? The auto care industry has a wide range of issues, from labor regulations to vehicle data access, which will be affected by the many state and federal races happening around the country this fall. So how can you determine who to vote for in November? We are in the midst of campaign season and there are plenty of ways to connect with the candidates, whether at the federal, state or local level. Attending a candidate's town hall to ask about specific issues is a great way to get to know them and formulate an opinion on whether they'd be someone you can trust to endorse policies you support. Take some time to do your research on the candidates and invite one or two out to your place of business to introduce them to your employees and point out the impact you're having on the local economy. If you are feeling that political angst shared by many of your fellow Americans, these outreach tactics are a great way to reclaim that civic enthusiasm you had when you first entered a voting booth. Government is often times a source of frustration, especially for the business community, but it can also be a great ally in your efforts to grow your business. As a constituent, it is your choice whether you decide to get engaged and truly learn about the elected officials seeking an opportunity to represent you in future policy debates. If you decide to take action, when you step into that booth on Nov. 8, I promise you'll feel as though you're casting a vote for someone you know and who will serve your best interests. www.autocare.org  23 http://www.autocare.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Auto Care Insider Volume 102

Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - Intro
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - Cover1
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - Cover2
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 1
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 2
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 3
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 4
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 5
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 6
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 7
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 8
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 9
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 10
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 11
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 12
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 13
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 14
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 15
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 16
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 17
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 18
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 19
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 20
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 21
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 22
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 23
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Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 25
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 26
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 27
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 28
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - Cover3
Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - Cover4
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