Now a collectively entertaining and diverting election has run its course, it’s time to get back to business.
Like all citizens, business people have become embroiled in months of speculation, paralysis and procrastination as the democratic process wends its media-hyped way to a conclusion.
What started as an overdue tax cut auction, ended ironically in multiple bids for the title of “Most Astute Steward Of The Nation’s Interests In The Face of Global Financial Meltdown”.
Throughout the campaign one inference remained unspoken (even political parties are not stupid enough to promise something they know they can’t deliver): Vote for us and you won’t have to worry about this global financial thing.
Yeah right!
In good times, politicians claim virtue by association, their speeches referring to the years of growth during their term of office, as if there was some connection between prosperity and governance.
Now the same politicians are quick to attribute the cause of bad times to elements far removed from their influence.
As election promises came thick and fast, we lived in hope they would somehow include a solution to the crisis we were assured was looming. Yet there is as much chance of purchasing a winning Lotto ticket, as there is of a government sheltering New Zealand businesses from world-wide financial contagion.
The 38-million-to-1 chance of success in the state charity fundraiser was once described as “a tax on stupidity” by Sir Bob Jones, a business leader known as much for his realism as his colourful turn of phrase.
Governments can no more provide financial protection for business generally or assist individual businesses than its Ministry of Civil Defence can help households during an earthquake.
Civil Defence television commercials have a simple message: “You should prepare household emergency supplies and first aid kits because basically, if disaster strikes you’re on your own.”
Honesty demands our political leaders deliver a similar message to business: “We can’t help, so it’s up to you.”
They could explain the bind they’re in, this way: “If we spend our way out of recession/ depression with an ‘economic stimulus package’, it will be your money we use. If you spend it, that will cause inflation. If we spend it, it won’t.” “If we deal with the challenge by tightening the nation’s belts, you’ll be the ones who suffer. This belt-tightening will compensate for reduced economic activity, not cause a further reduction.”
Yeah right, again!
With the election now decided, is it not time business got back to business? And is it not already well past time a healthy dose of realism was injected into public debate?
The reality is only business can generate wealth by providing goods and services, and only business can “make it happen”.
As an individual business person, you have to find from somewhere the confidence to once again take risks, make decisions, and accept responsibility. You could borrow the sales managers’ mantra “If it’s to be, it’s up to me”.
Political leaders brave enough to tell business people “it’s up to you” might also add “and by the way, everyone is depending on you”.
No pressure now.
