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BUSINESS BASICS CHANNELS 
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Please
Curb Your Congressman, ABCs was recently offered the opportunity to buy a high-ranking congressman. We were excited by the prospect of being able to call him at 3 a.m. to "chat." We would, of course, want special tax breaks for ezine publishers. It's not just for ourselves, oh no! Each of our faithful readers merits at least a $20,000 "business training" grant. We were suspicious about the low price, just a few thousand dollars, spread between the congressman and his political party. Was the congressman damaged? We examined a recent photo of him and didn't spot any obvious drooling. Comparing his voting record with his listed contributors showed that he usually voted to benefit them. He was still married to his first wife and that photo didn't show him greeting any interns. Finally, he was in apparent good health and had no term limits. We realized then that we didn't know nearly enough about buying a politician. Once you buy him, does he stay bought? Are we leasing? I'd thought all of my life that the U.S. was a world-class power, and here's one of our congressmen going for less than a decent used car. Is the economy so bad that the Fortune 500 corporations are dumping ALL of their assets for whatever they'll bring? Is it time for us to put our corporate assets completely into peanut butter and shotgun shells? You can purchase access to elected and politically appointed officials. It is also relatively cheap, thanks to campaign contribution limits. Does it make sense for you and your business? Maybe. The ability to pick up the phone, make a call and talk to a politician can save you time and frustration. You might also appreciate the particular politician and simply want him or her in office. Most small business owners will not benefit much from direct political access. It does get you on a lot of contact lists, raising junk mail and telephone contacts. Once you get listed as a contributor, everyone will be trying to pry more money out of your pockets. If your business belongs to an association that makes contributions and maintains professional lobbyists, you may already have great access through the association. Business owners are often so focused on their business that you are unable to see the big picture on how government can help or hurt you. Learn from the example of "Mighty Software", headed by a headstrong CEO. This quickly growing company, during its rapid rise to the top of its industry, didn't cultivate the political alliances that it should have had. It wasn't until after it had already started having serious problems with the government that the company and its executives started making serious political contributions. How could these connections have helped before the company got into a legal mess? It would have improved communications with people in policy making positions in the Federal Government, making it possible to avoid a long and expensive series of legal procedures for Mighty Software and the Government itself. When
does it make sense for your business to invest in a politician?
When:
Consider making campaign contributions to your locally elected congressman or senator. You may want to fund politicians from both parties. I also suggest targeting a politician who has a key position on the committee that most affects your business. You're in luck if one of your locally elected politicians is already in that position. Contributions mean you'll be given opportunities to meet "your" politicians face to face, at fund-raising parties and other functions. They'll also share access to their contributor lists with other members of their party. Contributions to the President and the President's party also give you better access to the administration. Once you've made the targeted contributions, use your access but don't abuse it. What does that mean? Play within the rules. Don't make that 3 a.m. phone call unless it is literally a matter of life and death. Don't expect this to cover big, deliberate problems with your taxes. Don't break any criminal laws. Do not flaunt your access blatantly. It is bad form to make a politician acknowledge that you've contributed to his campaign. Essentially, don't look at the situation as though you were Marc Rich and your politician is Bill Clinton. Is it fair that people can buy special attention? No, not when you consider our "ideals" for government. In practical terms, if you had gone to school with that congressman, married their daughter or otherwise developed a personal connection, you would get his/her attention and a sympathetic hearing when you need it. Making a contribution means that you will get better attention than the average person. It is expensive and difficult to run for political office and your contribution will be welcomed unless you're already doing 10 - 20. If you are dealing with a government agency about a problem and they know that your congressman is actively interested, they have to justify any decisions against you. You are much more likely to get the benefit of the doubt in uncertain situations and compromises may be offered that you wouldn't otherwise get. The access you buy now can develop into genuine rapport and a long-term relationship for both you and the politician. Retired politicians can be very effective executives or board members if your business needs them. They can help you get your children employed in influential government offices and agencies while building their future connections. You may find yourself invited on golfing trips to Japan or talking with a refrigerator-raiding politician from 3 a.m. until early dawn in your house. Just make sure that you stock his favorite Mallomars and plenty of ice-cold milk. -Cindy Nemeth-Johannes |
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