October 2008: President's Message Words: Dan KamysOctober 2008 Thoughts on the 2008 Election Tom Daniel President, Mason Contractors Association of America Next month, U.S. citizens will elect a new leader of our country as well as his supporting cast in Congress. We also will be working to elect local state officials and other elected bodies to represent our interests. This election cycle presents two very different views regarding how our country would be led and the impact it would have on our industry. There are many critical issues that threaten the very existence of many of our businesses, such as the estate tax, regulatory positions and energy positions. Who we select and put into positions of power will have ramifications on our entire industry. I strongly encourage everyone affiliated with the masonry industry to educate themselves on not only the national candidates' views, but also their state and local officials, and vote on Nov. 3 for the people who support your right to operate a business with as little obstruction and intrusion from the government as possible. We were fortunate enough to have one presidential campaign take the time to reply to questions presented that are of concern to our industry. I would encourage readers to check out the positions of the other candidate at his Web site and compare the issues and the positions each candidate takes. Do not forget to also educate yourself on local issues. Our industry is finding more and more that issues on the local and state levels have been evolving to have a dramatic impact on our businesses. A recent development in the state of Wisconsin regarding energy is one such example. The serious impact it will have on our industry until corrected is almost inconceivable. It is our responsibility as citizens and business owners to become educated and make informed decisions about the upcoming election. Please don't miss the opportunity to express your views through your votes on Nov. 3. Return to Table of ContentsAbout: President's Message