an open letter to the 2008 presidential candidates

Dear presidential candidates:

We've been watching with interest over the last several months as you've all competed for the top job in the U.S. political arena. We hope the best of you wins. But as hard as you've lobbied for our votes, it's been difficult for us to settle on any one candidate, especially since many of us feel that we've been left out of the process.

We are the people who manage and work in the distribution, logistics, supply chain, and industrial sectors of the economy. We feel we play a key role in keeping the engines of commerce running. Without us, the economy comes to a halt. Yet we aren't hearing much from any of you about our problems and our interests.

As we listen to your speeches, we can't help but feel that you are ignoring some very important things. For starters, it sometimes seems that politicians believe that there's a gigantic pile of money sitting somewhere in Washington that they can draw on whenever necessary. Well, we have news for you. That big pile of money represents the flow of taxes from individuals and businesses. That "revenue stream" is created by business. In the end, business is the only real show in town, and our part in that show is to keep that revenue stream flowing—smoothly, efficiently, and dependably. Without us there isn't anything to give away or to promise people. We're proud of the role we play in the economy, and we wonder when you will acknowledge our role and talk about how we fit into your vision of America's future.

So here are some suggestions to all of you who are running for president of the United States:

• Remember how the modern economy of any nation works today. It depends on infrastructure, logistics and free enterprise, and free markets.
• Bear in mind that we're now players in a truly global economy. If our domestic companies are to compete successfully, they can't be weighed down by unnecessary and burdensome taxes. We are more than willing to pay our fair share. But our employees, stockholders, and customers cannot be expected to shoulder a disproportionate share of the load.
• Please consider the merits of a comprehensive national transportation strategy, with a true vision for the expansion of our nation's transportation networks—a vision that focuses not only on our highways, but also on our rails, ports, and inland waterways.
• Keep in mind that we live in a "regulatory fog" these days. It continues to get thicker and thicker. Much of it is counterproductive. Help us navigate through it, or better yet, clear it up.
• Invite us to the table when matters of economic policy and global business are discussed—or at the very least, ask us to serve in an advisory capacity. We have both the expertise and the motivation to help whoever wins the presidential race this November.
• Never forget that global business is bringing the good life to billions. We help a great deal in its development. We also bring a higher standard of living to our country's own citizens. We should be partners in the future, not opponents—or worse yet, bystanders.

I urge whoever wins the election in November to consider these suggestions. We are the backbone of the economy. Let us help you keep the United States a success story.

Yours truly,

The U.S. logistics community