October 2008: President's Message

Words: Dan KamysOctober 2008

Thoughts on the 2008 Election

Tom DanielTom 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 Contents
About: President's Message
The Enduring Power of Structural Masonry
July 2025

Masonry has been holding its ground for millennia — literally. And thanks to the simple brilliance of arching action, it continues to do so with strength, style, and surprising efficiency. In an era of advanced modeling and fast-moving schedules, one time

Shayne Sanders
Read More
Outreach Outlook: Momentum in Motion
July 2025

As we move into the heart of summer, the masonry industry continues to thrive—fueled by innovation, partnership, and a growing commitment to excellence in education and workforce advancement. June has been a remarkable month, marked by events that not onl

Conner Birdsong
Read More
Building More: Slow, Fast, or Consistent. What is Tempo?
July 2025

It was a drizzly midweek day when I rolled up to the project we were working on just outside of town. The foreman paced the scaffolding, rain hood half-zipped, barking at two laborers who were sprinting bricks like they were late for a flight. Forty feet

Corey Adams
Building More
Read More
Marvelous Masonry: Belém Tower
July 2025

The Belém Tower in Lisbon, Portugal, stands as a testament to stone construction's enduring artistry and technical prowess. Erected between 1514 and 1519, this iconic structure served as a defensive bastion at the mouth of the Tagus River and as a ceremon

Cass Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More