Former congressmen Bob Inglis and Heath Shuler urged the business community to become more engaged in the political process during a panel discussion at the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative breakfast Dec. 10.
The pair were part of a panel discussion moderated by Chip Felkel, CEO and Founder of the Felkel Group and the RAP Index, and spoke before a gathering of more than 100 business leaders at The Westin Poinsett.
Both men decried the highly polarized and “tribal” political environment locally and across the country and said the acrimony was making it nearly impossible to make good policy.
Inglis said the business community and particularly chambers of commerce had a vital role in using their influence to help dial down the climate of extreme partisanship.
“We need to say, ‘To heck with that — let’s just get on with business,’” he said.
Shuler said leadership and political courage are needed now more than ever as members of both parties pander to the extremists within their own ranks.
Inglis agreed and said this is where the rational voices of business leaders can make a meaningful impact. Failing to engage with political leaders has demonstrable consequences, he said.
“What do you end up with?” Inglis asked. “You end up with some nut jobs in Congress.”
Both men said that if the chamber wanted to make progress on its 2022 legislative agenda — in areas like expanding broadband service, investing in water and sewer replacements and improvements, and expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure — members needed to make their voices heard with elected leaders.
Shuler added that beyond this, business leaders needed to be more proactive in encouraging strong candidates to run for office. He warned against choosing leaders who only focused on one issue or promised to tackle problems on which they would have no real influence.
“It’s up to us as citizens to demand better,” Inglis said. “If you’re just following people where they’re already going, that’s not leadership.”
