During President Barack Obama’s recent town hall-style meeting in Nashua, N.H., the president criticized individuals who choose to purchase recreational boats as irresponsible spenders. There were a few issues he neglected to mention.

Obama ignored boating’s positive elements, including providing jobs and joy for families. Families benefit from spending time together in small confi nes, experiencing high-quality time on-board while they enjoy a family hobby and sport. They get away from it all; leave their responsibilities at the dock and exchange them for the sanctuary of freedom boating provides. Boaters are free from it all during the time they are boating with their families and loved ones.

Boating benefits tourism and keeps money at home, rather than supplying it to distant leisure destinations. At a time when the United States is suffering job losses, the boating industry supports employment for boat builders, marine dealers, owners, suppliers and thousands of marine industry employees in the United States. There are 13 million boat owners and 72 million people who boat annually in the United States, including 4.3 million just on the Great Lakes. What does Obama’s comment mean for those individuals who depend on boating for family fun and jobs to feed their families?

It is evident that boating is a discretionary expenditure and it is the fi rst to fall and the last to recover. Obama’s statement is very hurtful to the millions of citizens who enjoy boating and earn a living in a boating profession. It is unfortunate that president Obama would classify boat buying as irresponsible spending. It is an irresponsible statement coming from the leader of this nation.