Wake up, Washington citizens, or more companies like Boeing will leave

REGARDLESS of whether you decide to take an active role in government, there will always be lawmakers in Olympia making decisions that affect your everyday life.

Look at the decisions and the years of political fumbling that have driven Boeing out of this state. This loss will affect each of us in ways we cannot begin to predict.

With an election behind us and a new legislative session staring us in the face, now is the time to get involved in the political process to ensure the lawmakers we've elected will work on behalf of a healthy and sustainable private sector. In fact, each of us should be involved 365 days a year. Those who see the benefits realize if they help elect legislators who share their views, the policies put in place will improve their way of life.

Labor unions, and other special-interest groups such as trial lawyers, have always been organized and actively involved in Washington state's political arena, fostering relationships with legislators and working the process to their benefit. They have made it a top priority to elect lawmakers who will go to bat for their interests. Their involvement has paid off in spades.

A timely example of legislators looking out for organized labor relates to our state's budget crisis. In the last session, our elected officials had to decide where to make critically needed budget cuts. Guided by the influence of organized labor, legislators in both houses completely ruled out making any cuts to labor contracts to help balance the state budget. Labor unions saw the benefit of their consistent political involvement even during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

Other groups, however, have been inconsistently involved and have failed to come together in an organized way that pays dividends to their agenda.

The business community is one of these disorganized groups, and with their livelihood at stake, it's time for everyone in the private sector — both employers and employees — to wake up and get involved. Small- and medium-size businesses can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines and expect the larger companies to shape the political landscape.

Business communities in other states are becoming increasingly engaged in politics, ensuring their voice is always heard, and their work is paying off. They have strengthened their private sector so much that they are now attracting our state's businesses and in turn taking our jobs.

The decision by Boeing to build its second 787 production line in South Carolina is a perfect example. And the decision should be a devastating wake-up call to the elected officials in our state. State legislators in South Carolina made substantive changes to attract business. And it worked.

This year's election has passed, but there is a much larger election looming in 2010.

All members of the business community must pay close attention to the upcoming class of legislative candidates and where they stand on the issues. Also, pay attention to our legislative incumbents and evaluate their performance on issues that contribute to our prosperity.

Whether you are an employer or an employee, a Democrat or a Republican, the decisions made by the policymakers we elect directly affect your job and your way of life.

Other states have figured it out. When will we?