From Editor Matt McClellan: Countdown to shutdown

If you’re not turned on to politics, politics will turn on you. I first heard that quote as an impressionable teenager, and it struck me as a clever bit of wordplay. It was a wake-up call, and a warning to pay attention, because the people in charge are making decisions that will affect you.

The words are attributed to Ralph Nader, the lawyer, author and consumer advocate who ran for president four times as a third-party candidate. The message was tucked into the very end of a Rage Against the Machine music video — catnip for angsty teenage boys. The outspoken band shared Nader’s distaste for the two-party political system.

I heard a similar sentiment many times during my three days in Washington, D.C. for AmericanHort’s Impact Washington Fly-In Summit. I asked many of the 140 attendees why they took time away from their business to advocate for horticulture. Most told me the same thing. “If you’re not at the dinner table, you’re on the menu.” It reminded me of that Nader quote that stuck with me all those years ago.

It really hit home when we arrived in the House and Senate office buildings. I immediately noticed that we were not the only group with nametags and briefcases. Just that one day, there were at least three other groups doing exactly what we were doing. Imagine how many people are lobbying for the ears of these politicians over the course of a year. These elected officials are beset on all sides with people aiming to influence them. If you’re not constantly working to advance your interests, they’ll get lost in the noise. The squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease. Read about the experience here.

If you don’t feel comfortable suiting up and rubbing shoulders with senators, you can start smaller. Go to that Kiwanis Club or town council meeting. Local politics is important, too, and you might even see more immediate results. Especially since local and state governments are not currently in the midst of a shutdown.

It’s possible that by the time this magazine reaches your mailbox, the federal government will have re-opened. Here’s hoping! A few days after the shutdown began, I spoke with AmericanHort’s Matt Mika, vice president of advocacy and government affairs, about how it could affect the industry. Subscribe to The Growth Industry podcast or listen directly here.

How has the shutdown affected your business? Send me an email and let’s chat.