Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/686649
64 SMT Magazine • June 2016 ality, it has done a pretty good job over the last 240 years or so. Most of the legislation starts for a good reason. I compare it to my shower thoughts at home. I've come up with what seemed like some of the world's greatest solution or idea as I'm getting ready to go to work in the morn- ing. I'm so excited when I can get to the office and tell my staff about them. Most of the time, as soon as I start saying them out loud I real- ize that it may actually be the dumbest idea I've ever had. The legislation starts for a good reason and seems like a good idea at the time and, by the time you get through the process that they go through, there's hopefully people like us that have come in to say, "Yeah, this really is a good idea but could you add this to it?" Or, "We really don't like this. Have you thought of what this would do to business? While it seems like a good idea overall, maybe if you took out this line, then it really would do what you want." Right now, you've got the unintended consequences that are going to happen. Goldman: You really have to think about the con- sequences. Raby: Exactly, and no offense to the lawmak- ers but they are trying to improve our lives and businesses but usually have no idea how they work and some of the unintended side effects some of their laws can have. Just making up an example here but there could be something that will save my company $10,000 but causes me to have to hire a full time person just to fill out the paperwork. That didn't save me $10,000. That put a productive person out of work. That's a big reason for being here this week. Just as a citizen, it's frustrating to watch the democrats versus the republicans, republicans versus democrats. If I have an idea, no matter how good it is, you're not going to like it, and vice versa. It's nice to get up here and see they actually do talk to each other (or at least many of them do), and there are some things that they cooperate on. Goldman: There are things behind the news that happen. Raby: Right. Apparently, talking to each other doesn't make the news. Goldman: That's for sure; it's not as exciting. Do you think you'll come next year? Do you see this as a good event to attend? Raby: Yes I do. If it's anything like last year— and from the schedule we have, it looks like it will be—I'll be back next year. I also want to encourage other business leaders and owners to do the same. It costs two or three days of time plus your travel expenses and can have a direct benefit on your company's and your industry's future as well as your country's future. Plus, it is interesting, educational and we have some fun, too. Goldman: There's a pretty heavy schedule this year, from what I understand. Raby: We're hearing from four different presi- dential campaigns this morning, which is something that of course we didn't have last year. It may not be a kind way of saying it, but it's a straight-from-the-horse's-mouth type of thing that you don't get sitting at home on the couch. It'll be interesting to hear how that goes and we get to question each candidate on their thoughts on keeping (or making) Ameri- can manufacturing competitive with the rest of the world. Then we're also meeting with sev- eral congressmen and it will be great to get their perspective on things, and also give them our perspective. One of the things I'm talking about is the NNMI, the National Network for Manufactur- ing Innovation. We are meeting today with Senator Orrin Hatch, who's the head of the Sen- ate Committee on Finance. Senator Hatch is number three in line to be president, as far as a succession plan. Goldman: That's not somebody you can just knock on his door and talk to. Raby: I'm from a little town in Alabama. That's not somebody I'm used to talking to. I'm a little nervous about that, but I also know from last year, IPC will get me through it.