Throwback Thursday: Letter to President-Elect Carter
The Dec. 6, 1976 issue of National Home Center News, the forerunner of HBSDealer, greeted the election of Jimmy Carter with fair-minded caution and non-committal optimism.
A front page article under the headline “An open letter to Jimmy Carter on economics and home centers,” urged consideration of a number of pressing issues of the day – from credit availability to the coming Metric system.
Here’s the letter in its entirety:
Dear Mr. Carter:
As you prepare to assume the role of President of the United States several key concerns emerge and vie for your immediate attention. Chief among those is the complex fiscal policy for the nation, a problem which is inextricably bound up with such factors as unemployment, inflation, gross national product and inventory levels.
The biggest considerations to be made, as you pointed out during your campaign, are how these factors directly affect each and every American. To be sure, economic theories must be translated into human concerns.
One of the most basic needs of every American – shelter – is being served in this country by the home center industry, a $12 billion retail institution, dedicated to supplying home repair and home improvement materials to all Americans.
Like other American industries, the home center industry is deeply concerned about the future policies which will guide this nation into the next decade. At this point in our history we have unique and demanding challenges before us, and at the same time a chance to face those challenges with new ideas and new vigor.
Speaking for home center retailers, I ask you at the beginning of your Presidency for your consideration in the following areas:
• Research and development funding for the creation of new and practical alternative energy sources, including solar energy;
• A progressive land use policy with regard to lumber cutting to avoid industry-crippling shortages of building materials for new housing in America;
• The consideration of a tax-credit plan for the installation of insulation as a necessary incentive to encourage Americans to conserve our dwindling supplies of energy, and to cut our dependence on foreign energy sources;
• A careful analysis of credit availability for new mortgages to spur home sales to low-and middle-income families; and
• Finally, the development of strong public and industrial education programs to cushion the coming impact of metrication, which, if not carefully introduced, can hurt both industry and the consumers who ultimately will have to share the greatest burden in the change.
Mr. Carter, positive action in these areas is not only in the best interests of the American consumer, but also those of the national economy. We offer you our heartiest encouragement and support at the outset of your greatest undertaking.
Sincerely,
Gordon C. Haight
Managing Editor
National Home Center News