The Sport of Politics
In America we love our sports, and the rivalries can be intense. Whether it is football, hockey, basketball, or the national pastime baseball. Many align themselves with a team based on the region that they identify with and unwavering loyalty that spans generations. A new national pastime is overtaking all these traditional sports and that is the sport of politics.
Each has their “team” that they root for, like cross town rivalries. The public comes out for the “game”, literally sitting in the bleachers as cheerleaders with signs and watching halftime shows. They buy their team merchandise and put bumper stickers on their cars to show who they support.
Similar to the intense passion, loyalty, competition and rivalry demonstrated in professional sports is the anticipation of the political season and the diehards rallying around their teams and players. That is evident in the hype being experienced in the thick of the current political campaign season, which is being played out between the teams (Republicans vs Democrats) and their players. The roster was whittled down to the two quarterbacks (until one was “sacked” and the backup was pulled off the bench and put into the game in the fourth quarter).
In addition to the players and fans, sports have play by play commentary by announcers objectively covering the action. Unfortunately, in the sport of politics these commentators (media) are more like one team’s cheerleaders and are playing a one-sided role in praising every move by one team, while condemning the other team.
The fans of the sport of politics are less fickle than the fair-weathered fans that shift their support based on the win/loss record of their athletic team. But still, the political teams and players on the legislative gridiron can see their support from the armchair quarterbacks rise and fall based on their team (party) and player success and failure. The political career of promising politicians can end as quickly as an athlete with a blown-out knee. The fans can be extremely demanding and unforgiving of their sporting and political players.
Regardless of your team (party) affiliation, and just as the Viking’s fans acknowledge the skill of Brett Farve (their arch-enemy until he put on the purple jersey), the public needs to recognize the commitment, dedication and effort that players in the legislative arena put into representing and performing for their constituents (fans). The sacrifices that they make, their understanding of the intricacies of knowing the game, the political moves necessary to navigate the field, and the hard-hitting political blows that can be exchanged should be recognized and appreciated.
I have had a front row seat on the 50-yard line in the legislatures, Congress and the White House for over 20 years. I have been an avid fan of the sport of politics. As much as I may favor one side, I also appreciate and acknowledge the other side, particularly giving credit where credit is due. As an example, while working for the Associated Contract Loggers and Truckers of Minnesota, the two most significant legislative accomplishments I was involved in – Interstate access for 99,000-pound logging trucks and the USFS Rate Redetermination in the Farm Bill – were both spearheaded by Democratic Minnesota Congressmen.
But more importantly, the timber industry cannot afford to be part of the game only when our team has the ball. Sitting on the sidelines when the other team has the ball only means we sit out half of the game. Forest management and healthy forests are not partisan issues. Rural jobs are not partisan issues. Wildfire prevention is not a partisan issue. Forest products are needed and used by both teams.
Timber and forest products should be a bipartisan issue.
That is why each year at the Congressional Reception in DC the American Loggers Council selects and presents the Congressional Leadership Award to a Republican and a Democrat in each of the Senate and House.
They say that all politics is local, but when you are a national organization local is national. I’ve learned that politics comes and goes with the winds of public sentiment. Politicians and policies change, especially every four to eight years. Can you imagine running a business that way, when you focus on a direction only to reverse course four years later? There would be no surety or continuity, your business would fail, much like the government.
That is why the American Loggers Council has an office in Washington DC, right across the street from the White House. Because what happens in Washington DC affects what happens in the woods.
Opposing interests are waging battle in the halls of Congress. Those that oppose us roam the halls of Congress lobbying against our way of life, our livelihood. The famous bank robber Willy Sutton was asked why he robbed banks, and he said, “because that is where the money is.” DC is where some would argue the bank robbers are, but it is clearly where policies and laws are made that impact the timber and forest products industry – good or bad. That is why the American Loggers Council is there, even if we are a lone voice whistling in the woods.
I travel the country extensively, meeting with the boots on the ground, the loggers and truckers. The first question they ask is “It is terrible here, how is it in other parts of the country?” Unfortunately, I must tell them that it is terrible across the country. The vast majority are struggling. Many have gone out of business.
As one politician famously said, “elections have consequences”. That could not be more apparent. The timber industry and many other sectors of the economy are struggling. Over 150 forest products mills have closed over the last 18-24 months. Equipment sales are down 10-20 percent, interest rates have doubled, fuel costs are 50% higher, inflation has driven prices up, labor costs are higher (if you can find workers), while we import lumber and wood products, and our forests burn.
Lately there has been a relentless onslaught of policies, Executive Orders and legislation that further threatens the timber industry. From the change in Independent Contractor status; the expansion of Mature and Old Growth Timber protections; the Endangered Species uplisting of the Northern Long-Eared Bat; and reductions in mill particulate emission levels, all of which will be used to obstruct forest management and transportation. Along with the current state of the economy, the critical infrastructure that the loggers and truckers represent is extremely stressed and challenged.
Some elected officials look at politics as a sport, winners take all, losers get nothing. But when politics affects your business, your livelihood, your family – IT IS NOT A GAME, it’s life.
It is what you have invested in for generations. The early mornings, the late nights, the missed dinners and kids’ activities. It is not a game, it is real.
We cannot “afford” to play both sides – meaning pretending to support two opposing people or ideas in order to gain an advantage. We cannot sit on the fence. I have attempted to work with both sides for the benefit of the logging industry, and while we have had some success at the Congressional level and some agencies, we have not with much of the current Administration.
Unlike picking your favorite team by your geographic or historic connection to them, most people vote with their pocketbook. How has your pocketbook been for the last three and a half years? As a political spectator watching the election game play out, whose side are you on? Who are you rooting for? Who do you support? Consider this as though your future depends on it – BECAUSE IT DOES.
