If the United States was a publicly owned corporation, would you want to be a shareholder? Would it be valued near the top of its historical range based on future expectations or reflect current underperformance and heightened competitive risk exposure? Would it rank among the “magnificent seven” stocks internationally? Should the board of directors prefer to maintain the status quo or consider a leadership change? Is the country’s international market share for goods and services growing - and associated costs of labor and materials stabilizing? Is its earning power being maintained and balance sheet quality worthy of investment grade? Is there concern about physical plant obsolescence and productivity decline? How about workplace conditions and employee morale? Is this stock on a predictable growth trajectory or subject to undisclosed short-selling? Will the coming election trigger downside pressure or a sustainable upside move? The next meeting of the millions of board members is November 5. Phil Osifer