What few people consider is that elections have a tremendous impact on small businesses. While the subjects that candidates raise such as freedom of speech, military strife, police funding, immigration, and abortion are the ones most people follow, elections are just as much about how business is conducted. This is why Christopher Halajian feels there should be a greater emphasis on the impact of politics on business.
Christopher Halajian on Elections in New York
In places like Southold and Mattiuck, NY, politics are conducted largely through business channels. Lobbyists are placed in strategy places in political locations, doing what they can to influence how politicians think. Some of that is done the traditional way, over a drink at the country club, but trade associations and membership organizations lobby just as much.
You may feel that this is unfair, but the reality is that it is impossible for a single individual to understand all of the issues that matter in the town they work for. In fact, even a small geographical location such as an estate can have too many complexities. This is why politicians rely to heavily on their lobbyists and staff, who are the ones who find what matters in the constituency, be that the state of a popular route, the closure of a school, or small issues such as milk delivery on Monday.
The Obamacare document is a good example of how elected officials simply cannot know it all. The document contained 1,147,271 words, spread over 2,471 pages, and 700 directives. Nobody has time to read and digest that during their time in office! Instead, they simply go with the general consensus of their party.
So how does this link to small businesses? It is vital that a small business owner ensures they are heard. They must speak directly to their elected officials to make this possible. There are many forms of communication they can use for this, from visiting their office in person to enlisting the services of a lobbyist, but it must be done. This is because any small business that does not contact their representative to discuss their issues loses out to the small business owner that does. It is impossible to know what is on the agenda of those other businesses, and how what they are asking for will affect you.
Politics are complicated and most people don’t think they are particularly fair either. In reality, however, politicians are there to represent you, be you an individual or a business. They are not, however, magicians or fortune tellers. They will do their best for you, since that is what their job is, but you need to take the time out to tell them what you need them to do. You may feel as if that is an impossible task, since you do not have the financial backing that large lobbyists do, but anyone can make an appointment with their politicians and speak to them directly.
