Thursday, 22 July 2010 07:40
Every July, AIADA's leaders gather together to reflect upon our work from the past year, plot out the events of the coming year, and strategize for what lies beyond the next twelve months. This year we met at my family's favorite spot: Lake George in upstate New York.
Surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains, it was an enjoyable couple of days spent in the company of some very sharp dealers. These are men and women who have dedicated a portion of their very limited free time to protecting the international nameplate auto retail industry. Not surprisingly, they had a lot of good ideas for our association's future. Our meeting last week left me more confident than ever that AIADA is well positioned to handle the issues that are barreling toward us. That includes a battle over the critical free trade agreement with South Korea, challenges from big labor, an effort to reduce the death tax, and debate over a piece of auto safety legislation that could alter the very face of our industry.
Congress will be busy over the next year, and that means AIADA will be busy, too; defending dealers and their employees from anti-business policies, intrusive legislation, a stagnant economy, and a dangerous trade status quo.
However, in the immediate future, we don't expect to see too much substantial policy making its ways through the halls of Congress. As July comes to a close, all attention in Washington will be on elections, not legislation. Representatives and Senators will be home for district and state work periods for most of August. A month spent listening to constituents will likely make legislators even more politically cautious when they return to D.C. for three weeks in September and the first week of October. They will adjourn again in mid-October for some last minute electioneering, and we won't see them again until after Nov. 2, when every vote has been counted.
At that point, we will be left with a lame duck Congress that might, depending on how the elections shake out, tackle as many pending issues as possible, or might just sit on its hands. Every House seat and 36 Senate seats are up for grabs. As a result, the balance of power in D.C. could shift dramatically in November, and that will help AIADA determine its 2011 agenda.
AIADA is doing what it can to secure our members' future during this busy election season. Dealers can do their part as well. Stay educated on the issues (a good place to start is www.aiada.org/the-issues) and find out where your candidates stand. But don't stop there. Since February, I have been blown away by how active and involved AIADA's membership is. Keep up the calls and e-mails to your legislators. What only takes five minutes of your time makes a huge impact on Capitol Hill. Then, if you can, plan a dealer visit with your legislator. AIADA will schedule the one hour visit and provide you with everything you need to educate your Representative on your business. Those visits give legislators that background they need to cast informed, business-positive votes. Read more about the dealer visit program here.
Finally, and most simple of all, do what AIADA can't do for you. Vote. When small business owners cast a ballot, they protect their employees, support their communities, and advance our economic recovery.
Here in New Jersey, it's burning up outside. Even our salesmen are praying for rain. We're heading for the hottest July on record, and a change in the weather seems a long, long way off. None the less, the legislative season is giving way to campaign season as I type. There is a sense of anticipation in the air, and a feeling that some big changes are on the way. No matter what happens in November, dealers can rest assured: AIADA is protecting their interests in Washington.
Rick DeSilva
AIADA Chairman
Our Publications: 
