A memo sent by the RV Industry Association to its members today shows just how precarious the business climate is in the United States today.

Business owners struggling to make payroll this fall must also figure out how to pay protection money to federal politicians.

Washington has become such a regulating, taxing, bureaucratic nightmare that business owners must fork over campaign "contributions" to elected officials (and those running against the incumbents just in case they win) just to ensure the government stays off their backs for the next few years.

RVIA has chosen to support the candidacies of two Indiana congressmen -- Democrat Joe Donnelly and Republican Mark Souder. These two politicians may very well be the "RV industry champions" that RVIA President Richard Coon claims them to be. They may have done amazing things to help the industry while serving out their terms in office.

But, I would expect any Indiana elected official to actively promote and protect businesses comprising a major industry in their state, whether or not those businesses orchestrated fundraisers and helped them make money.

But, the regulatory climate of Washington has degraded to the point that businesses that don't pay protection graft to politicians risk being investigated, regulated and taxed out of business. I wonder how many politicians supporting the formaldehyde debacle have received money from RV manufacturers, suppliers and dealers? Likely none.

Some consider RVIA's actions to be another sign the association is out of touch with the pain being felt by their members. But, in reality, RVIA is doing the right thing by helping to elect a Democrat and Republican to office. By hedging their bets and hoping that one, if not both the candidates will be re-elected, the association knows it will have a few friends in government to either block legislation which could adversely affect the industry or do something to neutralize its pain on employers -- regardless of whom holds the reins of power come Jan. 20.