‘92 POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE: How Business Views the Election

Name: C. Thomas Nulty

Company: Associated Travel Services, a Santa Ana-based travel agency with 80 locations

Position: President

Registration: Republican

Q: Who are you going to vote for?

A: I plan to continue following the campaigns to the end before making a final decision. If the election were held today, I would vote for President Bush.

Q: Why?

A: While I am very unhappy with the current economic conditions, it is my belief that the Republican ticket shows the most hope for recovery for American business. I feel that President Bush has considerable first-hand experience identifying our current problems and the best plan to remedy them. It’s also my feeling that because of reelection political pressures and an uncooperative Congress, some of the tough decisions and necessary actions that Bush knows must take place have been delayed. While this inactivity and political maneuvering by the President is very disappointing, it’s reflective of our government structure and process, which, despite its current problems, is still the best in the world.

Q: What are the main issues for your business?

A: As a service business that generates a considerable amount of revenue from business travel, I’m most concerned about the prosperity of our customers. A healthy, growing, robust economy means that our clients will need more of the global travel services we provide. The U.S. airline industry is in economic disarray and it must become healthy so we can continue utilizing the effective transportation system that we have all come to rely on. The Chapter 11 process should be examined to ensure that it does not allow weak airlines to slowly destroy healthy airlines and themselves through unrealistic pricing made possible through the protection process. The 10% transportation tax collected on every domestic airline ticket should be directed toward improving the transportation system and not held hostage to help offset the federal deficit. The government must take the actions necessary to ensure that U.S. airlines remain competitive in the world marketplace. It’s fine to allow foreign airlines to make major investments in U.S. airlines in an effort to better distribute their product, but we must insist that the same opportunity be available to our airlines in (the foreign carrier’s) country before this is allowed. Travel and tourism is our country’s largest employer, and it’s time our leaders recognize its importance to the economy.

Q: What needs to be done to right the economy?

A: It’s important that we take on a winning attitude toward U.S. business that is based on the concept of continuous improvement. We need to develop long-range plans that include incentives for research and development as well as training and retraining. Our education system must be enhanced to deliver the quality work force that is needed to compete in the world economy. Our children must be given a positive self-image and a vision of success from an early age. They must know that the price of success includes knowledge, hard work, progressive thinking and a positive attitude. Everyone must understand that the government is here to support their growth, not to take care of their every need from cradle to grave. Lastly, companies must have the opportunity and ability to deliver quality products and services without the costly burden of local, state and federal “over-regulation.”