Today I checked several of the news websites to see what issues and important things are being reported on in the Presidential election campaign.


Here’s the list::

• Proposed “Buffett Rule” for taxing the wealthy
• Various tax code changes
• Possibly eliminating the Department of Education and Department of Housing and Urban Development
• The move into high gear of campaign fundraising
• The fight over the female vote
• Searching for a Vice-President candidate by both parties
• The harsh attacks that Mr. Romney and President Obama are already trading
• The Romney dog Seamus riding on the car rooftop 

This list contains items that range from important to childlike to ridiculous.  

Nonetheless, it is still an important list because of what it doesn’t contain.  We have no idea what the “vision(s)” are of which the items are a part and should support.  Each item should fit into a “Vision of Success” for America, or it shouldn’t be a topic of discussion.  Without the vision or big picture, it is impossible to know how to feel about any of the issues, and then which candidate to vote for.

Ok, what is a “vision of success” and why do we need it?

Let’s start with an example.  One of the most often cited and thought about visions is President John Kennedy’s vision and challenge to America that it would land a person on the moon and return them safely by the end of the decade.

Here’s his language.

“We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy - but because they are hard! Because that challenge is one we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone and one we intend to win!”  …  John F. Kennedy - Rice University speech on September 12, 1962

So, that’s an example of a vision of success.  It reached for a high achievement and inspired a nation.  As a result, the vision was fulfilled and America landed a man on the moon in 1969.  How did that happen?

In concept, it is fairly simple.  The vision transformed America by providing a picture of what could be.  It was a catalyst that focused the attention of everyone on the goal of landing on the moon.  With that focus it also brought alignment across many organizations and individuals.  With the alignment great amounts of energy was unleashed toward attainment of the goal.  Everyone “pulled the rope” the same direction.  The historical ability of America to rise to meet great challenges was called upon.  In the end, all of the elements were united by the clear and compelling vision of the moon land.  A vision which has played over countless times in the image of Neil Armstrong descending the ladder and first stepping on the surface.

Call to Candidates

We want to know what your vision of success is for America and why you think it’s the right vision.  We aren’t interested in your view of the other candidate’s vision.  That’s our job.  Please put all of your energy into developing your vision of success and then tell us what it is.  

Voting Alert Beacons Vision

I’ll go first.  In my next post, I’ll offer a vision of success for the Voting Alert Beacons.

In future posts, 

1. I will discuss a range of things to consider as each of us thinks about who to vote for next November.  I’ll do my best to give comment and examples on how to apply the Voting Alert Beacons to the back and forth discussion between the candidates.  
2. I look forward to offering a few new ideas and items like a practical definition of what exactly a “vision of success” is, and how to compare several visions for their possibilities.  
3. Let’s talk about leadership in terms of vision, passion, and values. 
4.  I will also offer a job description for the Presidency of the United States so that we have at least a basic standard for knowing if a candidate is qualified, along with their strong points and weak points.

Throughout, I hope to do my best to get the candidates to talk to us as voters instead of arguing with each other.  It is my hope that the candidates will respond and focus less on defeating each other, and more on giving us reasons to vote for them.

. . .  remember that America’s best days aren’t behind her.   America’s best days are ahead of her.  They always have been and always will be.

Dave

Copyright © 2012 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.

Will someone with a VISION OF SUCCESS for America please run for President!

Last week after the Tuesday Republican primaries in Maryland, Wisconsin and Washington DC, the press, the commentators, and President Obama started to focus on Mitt Romney as the presumptive Republican candidate for President.  Some deference is still being paid to Ron Paul, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich, but there has definitely been a shift in the “wind.”  Yesterday (Sunday), Newt Gingrich on FoxNEWS Sunday admitted that Mitt Romney is the likely Republican candidate.

It seems the “race” is on!  Last week as Mitt Romney and President Obama began to test the feel of a two man race, you would think that each would seize the moment to talk about why he is the best servant leader for these times in America.  Each could tell us what their vision of success is, and where it will take us as a country.

Sadly, but not unexpectedly, both Mitt Romney and President Obama are spending much of their time discussing why the other candidate shouldn’t be President.  It would be better for America, and more helpful to each of their campaigns, if they would focus on what he offering as a vision of success.   For now, remember to apply Voting Alert Beacon #3 as the candidates campaign.

Let’s see if we voters can get them to do that.  In my next post I will offer some thoughts on what a “vision of success” is.

In future posts, I will discuss a range of things to consider as each of us thinks about who to vote for next November.  I’ll do my best to give comment and examples on how to apply the Voting Alert Beacons to the back and forth discussion between the candidates.  I look forward to offering a few new ideas and items like a practical definition of what exactly a “vision of success” is, and how to compare several visions for their possibilities.  I will also offer a job description for the Presidency of the United States so that we have at least a basic standard for knowing if a candidate is qualified, along with their strong points and weak points.

Throughout, I hope to do my best to get the candidates to talk to us as voters instead of arguing with each other.  It is my hope that the candidates will respond and focus less on defeating each other, and more on giving us reasons to vote for them.

. . .  remember that America’s best days aren’t behind her.   America’s best days are ahead of her.  They always have been and always will be.

Dave

Copyright © 2012 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.

Voting Alert Beacon #5 is about eliminating the negative effects of campaign money.  What has not been possible through any other means, voters can do with their vote. 

Over the years Congress has attempted many times to control the collection and spending of campaign funds.  In each case, the laws have generally been found unconstitutional by The U.S. Supreme Court under the FREE SPEECH provisions of the Constitution.  With a little information, and our votes, we citizens can easily straighten this out.

First, we need the information.  The information below is gathered from the Federal Election Commission website.  There is a link on the right side of this blog.  Using the website, it is very easy to find campaign funding information on any candidate.  All voters need to become familiar with where to find, and how to use, this information for both the federal and state candidates.

To get you started, I’ve collected information for each of the Republican candidates now running in the primary season, plus the information for President Barak Obama.  See the table below.

	Gingrich	Paul	Romney	Santorum	Obama
Individual	$20,647,244	$33,128,117	$73,144,957	$15,547,669	$118,793,406
All other (PACs, etc.)	$71,295	$2,670	$516,351	$54,224
$200 and Under	$11,747,790	$20,844,059	$9,253,545	$9,175,297	$94,434,232
$200.01 - $499	$1,897,535	$5,022,494	$2,321,751	$1,470,680	$11,993,951
$500 - $999	$1,806,585	$2,748,744	$4,277,312	$1,317,898	$11,970,167
$1000 and Over	$5,282,101	$4,645,477	$58,370,414	$3,599,996	$58,115,675
Grand Total	$41,452,550	$66,391,561	$147,884,330	$31,165,764	$295,307,431

[Source:  Federal Election Commission, March 29, 2012 at 2:30pm]

What do the colors mean?  Think of the color scheme like a set of traffic lights at an intersection.  Green is good, yellow is caution, and red is stop.  If all of the candidate contributions were coming only from “green” sources or individuals in small amounts, huge distortions in our election system would disappear and we’d be back to discussing only the issues.  On the other hand, when a candidate receives most of their contributions from “red” sources or entities like large amount donors, PACs, associations and unions, then the minimum number of voters or entities like PACs, associations, and unions use a maximum amount of money to distort the election.

OK, this will take a some time to think about, in the meantime here are a few simple rules to follow when you vote.

1. After looking at their positions on the issues, vote for candidates with small donations from a large number of individuals.
2. Never vote for a candidate who receive over 25% of their donations from the combination of large amount donors (over $499), and non-human entities likes PACs, associations, and unions.

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER:  While large amounts of money can overwhelm a fair discussion on the issues, if the money is given by individuals it is visible to all of us, and in that way fair.  On the other hand, when very large amount donor individuals, PACs, associations, and unions give money, the effect of that money isn’t felt until after the election.  The real damage quietly occurs when a large donor or non-human entity stops by an elected official’s office to remind them of a prior donation and twist their arm.

In my next post:  I will apply as many of the Voting Alert Beacons as possible to what we’re reading and hearing in the news.

In the meantime, remember that America’s best days aren’t behind her.   America’s best days are ahead of her.  They always have been and always will be.

Dave

Copyright © 2012 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.