With our national economy going south and our foreign policy in shambles, Republicans and Democrats in the Show-Me state are for once singing on the same page.

Our elected representatives are in lockstep guarding our heritage in strong vocal opposition to the $65 buyout offer of Anheuser-Busch by the Belgian brewer InBev. In an emotional lather, Senator McCaskill blurts, ” this is not a company that’s in stress ” and howls, ” We do not have a ‘ For Sale ‘ sign on our front lawn in America. ” Oh, really? And these are our leaders who make economic decisions in Congress for the country? Welcome to the global economy ! It is all right for American companies to acquire competitors overseas, but not in our backyard. When the shoe is on the other foot they wave the flag to protect and defend their iconic paymasters. And it’s a vote getter, too.

If these curmudgeons understood the economics of global capitalism, they and the Anheuser-Busch board would be down on their knees genuflecting before a fair and sizable premium for a stock that has been mired for four years in a rut. Value is assigned on its worth today, not on the speculative future. InBev will enhance the prospects of A-B in growth beyond the United States and bring a civic concern to St. Louis equal to what has gone before. Why shouldn’t they? It is in their best interest to show the same regard for our community as their potential target.

It is not just the hedge funds, Mrs. McCaskill, who are in the stock, but institutions of every stripe and individual investors who ultimately control the outcome — not just the Busch family any more. Warren Buffett knows value better than anyone and probably is counseling that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. I would pay close attention to him. One long time board member, Vilma Martinez, is the Chairman and partner or Munger, Tolles, and Olson, the law firm of Buffett and the Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, Charlie Munger. Should the board ignore their fiduciary duties and reject this offer trying to squeeze out a few more Euros, a tender offer directly to shareholders should seal the deal.

Instead of creating a fire storm of ill will, the board should embrace InBev and get this acquisition off to a good beginning - for the city, the state, the employees, and the stakeholders. Otherwise more articles like Andrew Ross Sorkin’s in the New York Times Business Day Tuesday, “Chilling A Deal For Bud” may cast personal aspersions on other managers and directors as well as A-B’s youthful CEO, known now as The Fourth. But, nonetheless, it can be a done deal. Wake up, St. Louis, and smell the hops.

Laurence C. Day

St. Louis