I enjoy getting feedback from readers. Following my recent column (May/June 2009…Let it Rain) I received some interesting responses about the future of the housing industry. Here are the perspectives of two industry leaders:

LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER

I was just reading Surface & Panel and was quite impressed, and particularly with your housing outlook. I agree that there is a pent up demand that may translate into more houses, although I suspect it may take a bit longer than your rosy optimism to get there. The softwood guys say it may take another five years to return to the appropriate level due to the shock of confidence that has hit the market. In the end, it is consumer confidence that will determine when the market returns… and there are way too many wildcards in DC right now for any of us to have too much confidence. The gilded age is over, and I guess we will just have to cope.

Mark Barford, CAE
Executive Director
National Hardwood Lumber Association

The purpose of this e-mail is to congratulate you on a great opening commentary in the most recent issue of Surface & Panel. You are not all wet!! I believe you may have nailed something that many are not seeing. I agree with your perfect storm theory and I agree that single family housing increases will be preceded by the remodeling of existing homes, foreclosed homes and unfinished homes. I also believe that few people are paying much attention to what is going on in the multifamily, healthcare and off campus housing. I have a friend who owns a large HVAC contracting company. One year ago he refocused his attention on those specific industries. His sales are up over 20% and profits have more than doubled. I just wanted to drop you a line to tell you that I believe every word you wrote in your column.

Tom Kohlmeier
Chairman
Seemac Incorporated

If housing can strike up an interesting discourse, I can hardly wait to see the responses generated by my most recent ponderings.

I don’t normally get political, but I am getting increasingly frustrated with our politicians in Washington. So few of them have ever been business owners, worked for a business or even have a clue what it’s like to produce a product and provide jobs. Most of them are elitist career politicians interested in their own personal aggrandizement. But I found one representative who may just be worth keeping…

In the Federalist Papers, James Madison wrote:

Congress can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass of society. This has always been deemed one of the strongest bonds by which human policy can connect the rulers and the people together. It creates between them that communion of interests and sympathy of sentiments, of which few governments have furnished examples; but without which every government degenerates into tyranny…If this spirit shall ever be so far debased as to tolerate a law not obligatory on the legislature, as well as on the people, the people will be prepared to tolerate anything but liberty.

In the current debate over healthcare, recall that Congress has access to the best medical benefits in America as part of FEHBP (Federal Employee Health Benefits Program), and would be exempt from any public “option.” It makes you wonder if our politicians read, much less understand the wisdom of our founders. Do you really think they have a “communion of interest” with us? Well, at least one congressman gets it. Louisiana Representative John Fleming, MD thinks congress should live up to their promise to selflessly represent the people they are privileged to serve, and put their money where their mouth is. He recently sponsored House Resolution 615 which says that “members who vote in favor of the establishment of a public, federal government run health insurance option are urged to forgo their right to participate in FEHBP, and agree to enroll under that public option.” Keep an eye on House Resolution 615. Do you think it will ever see the light of day? Let’s hope so. Politicians who vote against it should be run out of town on a rail.

What do you think? I would enjoy hearing from you.

John Aufderhaar
Publisher, Surface & Panel • aufderhaar@charter.net