The Powerful Pendulum of Politics

Sam Smith, CAHU VP of Public Affairs

As we enter the final stretch of this year's general election, all indications point toward Democratic victories across the board nationally. The Presidency, 3 United States Senate seats and 16 US House of Representatives seats. Not my statistics, these are the conservative projections of Republican strategists. While this will create a challenging landscape for our industry, it also presents a new opportunity for our association. Historically, this degree of movement on the political spectrum to one side or the other creates the possibility for compromise and change. As sure as the pendulum swings to one side, an equal and opposite force will begin to push it to the other. That is the nature of politics and that this the foundation of our opportunity.

During the course of the Proposition 11 Campaign, we have seen the tremendous asset that our members represent in the arena of grassroots activism. In chapter after chapter, the California Association of Health Underwriters has delivered on its promise to reach out beyond our own membership and affect the course of our own communities. From Chambers of Commerce to our local schools and civic groups, members of our association have begun the important process of establishing themselves as respected voices in the community. This is the arena that represents our opportunity for the future. We have earned the respect of our coalition partners in this important campaign. Win or loose in the Prop 11 Campaign, we have earned a solid reputation as dependable, energetic partners in the fight.

As we move forward in the days ahead, we will continue to work with our new partners to raise the level of the debate on health care and make certain our voices are heard. So as we make good on our commitments to make those last phone calls to our members, our clients and our friends and we reach out to the last of the Chambers of Commerce and civic groups, lets remember how important it is to our future that we don't let up in the final weeks.

Our future is ahead of us, but the responsibility is ours to live up to the challenge!