The news is ablaze with tales of intrigue, suspense, and speculation as Election Day takes over America. As far as business in general, and manufacturing in particular, is concerned, it is just another Tuesday. For the naive few out there who still think there is any economic ideology separating the parties, it is high time you come back from Never Never Land and got in touch with reality.
Worried that the Dems might grab power and launch new House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi to new heights? Don't give it another thought. She's already been bought and paid for by the Securities Industry Association Political Action Committee. It doesn't matter a whit whether the party of Republican Trent Lott or Democrat Harry Reid holds the reins in the Senate. They are both on the Wall Street payroll, along with the rest of their peers, so the economy is bound to keep on its current course, no matter who gets in.
For that matter, both General Electric and General Motors and the rest of the Fortune 500 have strolled up and down both sides of every political street, doling out cash without discriminating o the basis of race, color, creed, national origin or principles. They have even used the election cycle to pay off John Boehner, Robert Byrd, Orrin Hatch and Barney Frank - all long time powerful politicos who are running virtually unopposed. That doesn't keep the big boys from doling out their regular paychecks.
Former House leaders Dick Gephart and Newt Gingrich have been well funded. Neither is actively seeking office, but they serve as thought shepherds for their respective party faithful. The Wall Street folks have made sure they will say the right things on CNN and FOX News and keep all of us in the party rank and file thinking the right way.
So the political tempest will swirl in the teapot for a few days, then Wall Street and the Fortune 500 boardrooms will return to business as usual without fear of any corporate apple carts being jostled. The outsourcing will continue unabated, small manufacturers will struggle with unfair Chinese currency practices, and the Lean Journey will continue to be an uphill battle. The fix is in.
Do I have a cynical attitude? You bet. Is this the truth? Absolutely.