By Jim Toes
STA President and CEO
As those who follow the news closely are probably aware, there will soon be an election in the United States. Partisanship is high and we’re all being bombarded with fiercely negative ads and constant pleas for campaign contributions.
In this polarized environment, it’s easy to become discouraged about the state of our political discourse and what the aftermath will look like. As Election Day approaches, here a few things to keep in mind:
1) Buy hope, sell fear.
Political strategies are based on delivering messages of either fear or hope. As financial professionals, we know fear. We fight it every day. We know the damage it does and are aware of the ability of individuals to instill it in others. We also know hope and how credible, inspirational messages can lead to confidence and help overcome dire situations. In this election cycle, fear is omnipresent, like an overbought stock in a bubble state. Hope, on the other hand, has been beaten down and oversold. Both these trends can be reversed, and they often do break when people least expect them to. So, stay positive, buy hope and sell fear.
2) Educate yourself and vote!
The emotions of election season can certainly be discouraging, but don’t disengage from the process. Voting is our civic duty and we owe it to those who have paid the ultimate price to ensure we have this right. Even if you live in a state where you don’t think your vote is going to have any effect on who is elected president, there are still congressional, state and local choices for you to make. You should also keep in mind that politicians cater to voters. If 40% of eligible voters in your town vote compared to 80% of eligible voters in the next town over, which town do you think is more likely to receive resources? So, if you’re considering skipping the polling station on November 5th please please rethink that decision. Instead, take what time remains to learn about the candidates’ policies and vote!
3) Be gracious.
As professionals and individuals, we are often defined by our response to turbulent events. No matter how this election season plays out, we encourage you to think about what civic engagement and healthy political discourse looks like to you – and then pursue it. Whether your candidate wins or loses, be gracious in your response and actions to each others.
4) STA is bipartisan.
No matter what the political landscape may look like on January 20, 2025, STA’s mission will remain the same. We are here to represent the securities industry and the interests of you, our members. For decades, STA has proudly worked with politicians from both side sides of the aisle, and we will continue to do so. That includes helping you make sense of any shifts in legislative and regulatory personnel or trends that may result from the election.
5) Meteorologists worldwide are in agreement that the sun will rise on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
We may not know who the next president will be on that day, but we will eventually. And life will go on.
Read the full newsletter here.