Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The Upcoming Election -- A Budd Pastime

The Budd Company, prior to its acquisition in 1978, was always a company that actively encouraged its employees and the public at large to vote.

The company published a annual "Guide to Federal Officials," which was distributed to approximately 100,000 nationwide. It also held a "Forum on Government Affairs," an event where corporate employees and their spouses could hear a nonpartisan government official address an important issue.

In 1978, the company rented voting machines and conducted a mock election to gauge the political opinions of its employees.

The company never offered its own views, but simply asked that everyone "Make Their Voice Be Heard."

Budd also had a Political Action Committee (PAC) that supported candidates who favored the automotive and railcar businesses.