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Meeting in the Middle Means Everybody Wins
“I believe in friendly compromise . . . Compromise is the oil that makes governments go.” – Gerald Ford
Victory can be measured in a number of ways: fractions of a second, number of laps ahead, miles per hour and a myriad of others. The outcome of any competition depends on many factors, all contributing to how far ahead the first finishes before the rest. However, winning “big” doesn’t always mean “taking all.”
As you’ll read in the cover story, the positive result of the negotiated settlement that resulted in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that saved the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area was really a large compromise. Off-roaders and the U.S. Marine Corps were both winners. The military base received an extra 79,000 acres of land, 60 days per year in the “shared use” area and off-road enthusiast no longer have to fear future expansion since the OHV area is now protected by Congress. In the end, the most important needs of both parties were ultimately met in the agreement.
This is an example of how the system can be successfully conquered with purpose, perseverance and patience. Sure, not every bill is perfect and many pro-hobby bills are dismissed before they’re given adequate consideration. But, as we continue to build a larger, more unified voice, the odds may favor our position more often. When working with competing interests, greater results can generally be more easily attained using logic and reason than anger or might. Tactfully and responsibly navigating legislative proposals is how the SEMA Action Network (SAN) best positions itself. What began as a “get the government out of my garage” effort has evolved into an operation dedicated to finding real solutions for the betterment of the hobby. Win or lose, a level-headed approach is how we encourage and assist SAN contacts in reaching lawmakers. Now that doesn’t mean we go down without a fight as anyone with knowledge of our history will tell you. It does mean, however, that our best chances for victory are when we seek to identify the merit of the other’s side arguments and find outcomes that leave both satisfied with the result. That’s called compromise, folks . . . and it works!
As the state sessions heat up this year, thanks for fighting the good fight!
–IGNITED WE STAND!