Candle In The Darkness

The “right to vote” is a fundamental reason for America’s past success and its bright future.  When we vote, we light a candle that burns brightly.  Its light spreads in all directions.  Indeed voting shines a light into the dark corners, and makes them visible for all to see.  When necessary, it is our tool to help us get the American ship back on course, and steer it out of the fog that occasionally descends.

The right to vote is also the “real” America Dream.  It’s not a house, or a job and a certain wage.  All of those things exist in other countries where there are no rights and dreams.  It is a basic act of self determination, and reflects on who we are as a nation.  Voting breaths life into our Constitution.  As a result, our Constitution is also extraordinary. 

In his remarks to the delegates of the United States Senate Youth Program on February 5, 1981, President Ronald Reagan said,

“I had a copy of the Soviet Constitution and I read it with great interest.  And I saw all kinds of terms in there that sounded just exactly like our own:  “Freedom of assembly” and freedom of speech” and so forth.  Of course, they don’t allow them to have those things, but they’re in there in the constitution.  But I began to wonder about the other constitutions --- everyone has one --- and our own, and why so much emphasis on ours.  And then I found out, and the answer was very simple.  That’s why you don’t notice it at first, but it is so great that it tells the entire difference.  All those other constitutions are documents that say that “We, the government, allow the people the following rights,” and our Constitution says “We, the people, allow the government the following privileges and rights.”

We give our permission to government to do the things that it does.  And that’s the whole story of the difference --- why we’re unique in the world and why no matter what our troubles may be, we’re going to overcome all those troubles --- and with your help and support because it’s an ongoing process.”

It seems that the current crop of public servants in Washington DC, and some in the various states have forgotten who they serve.  In fact, many seem to think that it is their job to “rule” instead of “serve.”  In the name of public service, many serve a favorite issue, a financial contributor or a political party and ideology.  As a result, they are driving the country on the left and right shoulders of the road.  The shoulders are bumpy and often extreme.  Either side insists that they are on the correct side of every issue.  In fact, neither side, left or right, is on the correct side.

So, it’s time to find new drivers who will drive us down the smooth middle of the road.  That time of decision is coming soon.  Hopefully, after the election in November 2014, the ride will start to even out.  For us as voters, the only important thing to do is for ALL of us to vote.  It won’t matter how each of us votes if we ALL vote.  The genius of America and the American Dream will shine once more.

. . .  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 © 2013 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved. 

The Voting Alert Beacons Vision

Following is a "re-post" from last September.  Given the current failure of our elected representatives in Washington DC, and the need for us as voters to focus on electing new public servants, this vision below seems like a great place to start.  Remember, the next election opportunity is now less than a year away in November 2014.

Recently I was talking with a friend who had seen my Voting Alert Beacons blog, and they weren’t sure what it was about.  Why are you writing it, they asked?  As we talked more, I showed them the “tab” which contained the vision, and described how there were simple things an individual citizen could do to make their vote more effective.  All of these “simple things” are positive in spirit and designed to call forward the best in our elected public servants, and the best in America as a nation.

Then they asked whether I seriously thought enough citizens would take these simple steps.  We talked about Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.  We talked about the “60’s” and how citizens can come together in ways not thought possible to do things that seem impossible.  While it is only the beginning, we should not be discouraged.  As you can see in the blog “tab” or here in this post, it is now only a vision, but it is the first most important step.

I have a small consulting company called Wormhole Consulting, LLC in which we always begin engagements and challenges with, “What we have the vision to see, we can find a way to be.”  In my experience, the most difficult step is always the first step.  We must first see, and find the vision.

Now read below and review.  The most difficult first step has been taken.

Vision for VOTING ALERT BEACONS

By the Presidential election of 2016, and continuing thereafter, reach a 95% voter turnout thereby realizing the genius of our combined American intelligence, and giving rise to a new higher standard of civil service and servant leadership.  Without negative campaigning, and the influence of money and polls, elections will become events of national renewal.  Let us strike the bell beginning a new period of enlightenment in the American democracy that will ring for millennia to come.  We can renew and fulfill the original American Dream, the right to vote, for all her citizens, and once again let America shine as a beacon for the world.


The day after the 2016 election, the media will report the following:

• 95% of eligible voters cast ballots
• All candidates for President created visions and offered them to America
• For the first time in American memory, the new President leads with a vision of success that looks 25 years into the future
• The new President was elected by 75% of the votes cast giving their vision a mandate

. . .  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 © 2013 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.