SEMA, Politics, Washington DC & Hot Rods

Those of you that know me know that I am a straight shooter. It’s either black or white. Shades of gray tend to get a business person in trouble sooner or later. Politics has never interested me much. Too many shades of gray! But, this year I had the honor of going to Washington DC as a representative for small business of SEMA. It was so interesting; I wish each one of you could go. We visited the offices of our two Senators and our Representative. Our Michigan group of three hot rod companies, and a large motor company spent 30 minutes talking to these elected officials (or their representatives if they were voting). Of course I was nervous! I had some background statistics and a thumb sketch of our company in hand so when we left them, they would have something in black and white to remember us with. Did you know that they take appointments every 30 minutes! Can you imagine sorting their thoughts out at the end of the day? We shared our concerns of the rising cost of health insurance, intellectual property issues, and café standards. All this in 30 minutes! Is that half hour of concerns going to make a change in the decision making? I don’t know. But if we don’t let our opinion be heard, someone else will make decisions without us. Is that what we want, to sit around and complain but do nothing?

SEMA gave us the guidelines of protocol, which I really needed to understand! Then we were given a schedule for our meetings. It is certainly different to sit down with a representative and have him or her listening and asking questions about your business, than just complaining to a friend! We all need to make our voices heard through proper channels. We experienced government at work, hard work. Later that evening, SEMA had a reception for all those officials which helped support our industry. There were Senators and Representatives dropping in all evening. One Senator had seven other receptions to appear at before he was finished with his day! I would be a little tired after the first session! I think I like the life style I have at the moment, thank you.

For those of you that would like to do more than be a tourist in DC, my experience was gratifying and not like anything I have ever done! For the record, I am not a Democrat or Republican, I have to be convinced!

This is one more item off my “bucket list”!

Let’s talk Car Politics.

Picture of Jane & Scott Callison with Congressman Tim Walberg and Colleges of the Seventh District of Michigan.

Well, it is spring in Michigan. The local car shows started last weekend. Yea, winter is finally over! Ken is taking the ’65 Ford Pick Up to an open house at American Speed (they build a ’33 Ford). We have some great Manufacturers developing in Michigan. Two new steel body manufacturers started in the last two years. Both great hot rodders who decided they had a better idea! The other new guy on the block is Shadow Rods (they build a ’27 T body). These cars are so well thought out, I am sure they will be a pleasure to build.

Let’s talk Politics….. You know me better than that. I have certainly not decided on my vote in the national election. But I am glad I live in a country that I am allowed to participate! I will observe for a while yet. November is a long way away.

Let’s talk car politics. Kimberly and I are going to Washington DC to attend the SEMA Rally I am pretty excited about the trip! The schedule is tight but it should be very interesting. It is important that we stand up for the little guy. I am here for you. We have 38 employees that we support. The health care bill I pay for ididit is over $10,000, a month. I do not cover any family member! I feel guilty about that, but it is all I can afford (I cannot ask you to pay that within our steering column price).

Most of the people in public office have no idea how much fun it is to drive a hot rod on the weekend! We do not want out Senators and Congressmen to forget about us in the whole picture! There is a coalition that supports our industry, we need to support them with any information they can use to support our battle to stay on the roads. We need to be pro active to keep our industry in front of the public eye.

Now, for my favorite quote of the week. (Taken from a Cadillac commercial)

“When you turn your car on, does it return the favor?”