MRAA - Full text of the letter from the MRAA's President and Chairman to the President

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Full text of the letter from the MRAA's President and Chairman to the President

February 8, 2010

The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20003

Dear Mr. President:
MRAA is the national trade association voice for thousands of small businesses which sell new and pre-owned boats, provide marine maintenance and repair services, and operate marinas and marine accessory stores in our fifty states, Canada and the Americas.

We are writing in behalf of recreational boat dealers and marine retailers to express great disappointment in remarks you recently made in Nashua, N.H. where you equated boat buying with irresponsible behavior by consumers.

Your remarks are both unfortunate and inopportune. We believe you should not have singled out boats and boat buying just as you should not deride consumers for buying a watch, a coat, or a car or truck. Your statement is a proverbial slap in the face to boat dealers and marine retailers and comes at a crucial interval in the business climate.

Boat dealers and marine retailers provide thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to our economy. They pay significant dollars in tax revenues. Many are struggling in this down economy with reduced sales, problems obtaining necessary financing to operate their businesses, and to retain their valued employees. They are making both personal and financial sacrifices to support the economy and our country and to turn this severe downturn around. There is absolutely no good reason to single them out and to discourage boat purchasing.

To your point in your remarks: perhaps it is time for our government to set the example and stop spending monies we do not have and mortgaging our future. It is time for real leadership from Washington, D.C. that will not divide us, but will unite us as a nation. MRAA asks that we put this mistake behind us and move forward by creating a vibrant economy where Americans can once again enjoy leisure time with their families, preferably aboard a boat. Small businesses, by your own admission, will lead us out of these recessional times and need your support and your strong and positive endorsements in the process.

May we count on you to counter these disparaging remarks with some strong and positive remarks that will enhance our Industry efforts?

Sincerely

Phil Keeter
President

Ed Lofgren
Chairman

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