BEACONS OF INQUIRY--INTRODUCTION

What is Beacons of Inquiry?  What is inquiry?  What place does it have in our democracy?  Why is it important to WE THE PEOPLE as voters?

The most important reason to ask ALL the questions (Inquire) is to insure that we find all the best answers and solutions.  All the questions also means thinking both short AND long term.  If there is a debate, and one side of an argument purposely omits a question, that is deception.  It is likely they aren’t looking for the best answer, but instead are looking for the most political advantage.  Identifying all the questions tends to maximizes justice.  This approach has been baked into our justice system through the formal process of discovery since the beginning of our American journey.

EXAMPLE

Let’s give Inquiry a trial run using the current debate on socialism.  America has a market economy (capitalism).  Several Democratic hopefuls are advocating for a sharp turn to socialism.  In America, this would be an abrupt change.  It is the kind of issue that elevates passions on both sides of the argument (question).

Here’s a beginning list of questions we might ask:

• What is the history of socialism on our planet?
• What is the promise of socialism?
• Where has socialism succeeded?
• Where has socialism failed to live up to its promises?
• What about democratic socialism?  How is it different from socialism?
• How does socialism compare to a market economy (America)?
• Are there examples where market economies competed with socialism?
• What are the pros and cons of market economies and socialism?
• … etc.

In future editions of Beacons of Inquiry, we will do our best to identify as many questions as possible for each of the most controversial issues.  The best answers and solutions depend on knowing all the questions first.  So, over time there will be followup Beacons of Inquiry for specific issues.  

Our goal as voters is to push candidates toward the questions.  Then when they offer their vision, and their solutions, they should tell us how it positively answers all the questions for America.

Then we will know how to vote!

. . .  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 © [2020] by David William Wygant. All rights reserved. 

BEACONS OF LISTENING - The Responsibility for the Right to Free Speech

We desperately need a moment of national silence and reflection.  Silence should overwhelm, like a tsunami, the volume of our nasty and negative voices.  

Only when we hear with an ear that seriously and sincerely considers the possibility of change, are we truly listening.  We must have an open mind so that we can learn.  There is no progress without change, and the conscious effort to learn.  This approach and mindset supports two of our most basic and fundamental American virtues, honesty and public service.

What is the most important thing we can do to insure and preserve our right to free speech?  Listening is perhaps the most critical responsibility for preserving free speech.  What is free speech, really?  It is two things.  It is not only a right.  It also includes a responsibility to listen.

When do words become illegal?  When they are words uttered only for their own sake.  Our words should have a positive direction and force behind them.  They must simultaneously exercise and support our inalienable rights as articulated in the US Constitution.  We are 200+ million American voters.  When our collective voice calls us forward with a positive force, there is nothing we can’t accomplish.  Without this positive voice, there is little that we can accomplish.

Call to action 

There is a personal call to action here.  We should all hang a mirror in our minds and look in it often.  We should always see someone who is willing to listen.  Someone who thinks them not me.  This may seem counter intuitive, but this is the only way we can make personal progress and American progress.  This is the only way we can find personal happiness and happiness as a country.  

. . .  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 © 2019 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

BEACONS OF COMMON SENSE-INTRODUCTION

What is common sense?

In the weeks and months ahead, I plan to write a series of Voting Alert Beacons posts called “Beacons of Common Sense.”  Issue by issue, it will be my goal to find “common sense” expression of the challenges we face and what the solution(s) might look like.  This view of common sense will hopefully transform and take us to a higher plain of civics and civility.  A place where we aren’t Democrats, Republics, or Independents.  A place where we can all just be citizens of the United States of America.  

I find my inspiration for Beacons of Common Sense in the book written by Thomas Paine before the America Revolution.  At the time it was a best seller.  If you thought the British should go back to England and leave the Colonies alone, you thought it expressed common sense.  Interestingly, the thoughts Paine expressed proved to be truths through the American experience of self-government.  In many cases, common sense became common practice through the US Constitution.

I’m also taking advantage of the internet.  How could I not?  I’ve compiled a list of words that express different forms of common sense.  Here’s the list:  Good sense, native wit, sensibleness, judgment, levelheadedness, prudence, discernment, canines, astuteness, wisdom, insight, perception, practicality, horse sense, gumption, savvy, and street smarts. 

I plan to write about the topics and issues we should all watch closely as the next election approaches.  What are my goals as the author?  It is my hope that in a tiny way I can help people realize that even Common Sense must be willing to change.  It is critical that we all respectfully use our 1st Amendment right of free expression.  However, with the right comes the responsibility to listen.  Even more, listening must mean we are willing to change.  We must be willing to let the other person, or the other argument, or the other viewpoint change us.  If we all come with that commitment, we will indeed meet in “the middle of the road,” and build an incredibly strong Common Sense for America.

As one writer, and indeed one voter, I hope you will follow along in the weeks and months ahead.

. . .  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 © 2018 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

REVISED FOR SOCIAL MEDIA

Below is the revised Voting Alert Beacons page for Media Responsibilities.  I've added a section for Social Media that comments on the tremendous power it has to bring humankind together like has never been possible before.  However, it can also divide us to the point where we don't recognized each other.  I hope you will note my revisions and follow them to a positive destination.  Thank you!

MEDIA RESPONSIBILITIES

The Media has often been called the "Fourth Branch of Government."  When the other three branches of government can't or won't come forward with the truth, the Media often has.   This “honesty” mechanism was designed into the US Constitution by the writers.  

 James Madison said, “A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both.”  If George Washington is considered father of our nation, then James Madison is regarded as father of the constitution, and he was the First Amendment author.

The media is critical to keeping our government honest, and in helping us elect and refresh government through our right to vote.  In the exercise of their personal First Amendment  rights, when journalists and commentators are expressing an opinion, they should clearly declare their bias.  Otherwise, they, or media outlets and sources, should remain unbiased and dedicated to fulfilling their important role in our democracy.

SOCIAL MEDIA IS WONDERFUL, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE TOXIC!

While social media is a wonderful development reflective of the advance of humankind, and a force that brings us closer together over miles and time, it can also drive us apart to the point that we know longer recognize each other.

DO have positive discussions with your friends and neighbors using private messaging.

DO use the ability to create groups and forums to focus on national and local challenges to find positive solutions.

DO create your own posts, or share posts from others, that focus on positive remedies and fulfilling our responsibilities.  Our rights will follow, and be preserved, as a natural result.  Leading with "our rights or my rights" is selfish and counterproductive.  Our rights were guaranteed a long time ago in our countries founding documents.

WHAT THE MEDIA SHOULD DO TO FULFILL THEIR ROLE?

• Publish only what candidates say about THEMSELVES.  See Voting Alert Beacon #3.
• Don't publish what they say about OTHERS.  See Voting Alert Beacon #3.
• Publish regular reports of candidate campaign contributions, and positively highlight the small contributions while negatively highlighting large contributions.  Especially, shine a negative highlight on pacts, special interests, and other "non-human" contributions.  See Voting Alert Beacon #5.
• On interview programs, invite only regular citizens for comment, not political pundits or commentators.
• Stop taking and publishing polls.  See Voting Alert Beacon #4.

SHOULD NOT DO

Media SHOULD NOT endorse candidates or take positions on the issues.  If and when they do, they change from fulfilling their special role and responsibility as the “Fourth Branch of Government” to becoming JUST ANOTHER SPECIAL INTEREST.

Let us always remember that honesty and public service are the gears that drive our democracy, and we turn those gears with our RIGHT TO VOTE.   LET’S ALL VOTE!

. . .  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 © 2016 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

Practice Thinking: Duty Number ONE-SAFETY

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

When a newly elected President places his or her hand on the bible, and makes a sacred promise to protect the Constitution of the United States, that moves their duty to protect America to the front of the line and ahead of the many other things a President does in the job.

As voters, we have a responsibility too.  As we listen to the candidates, 1) we all hear what they say, 2) we consider the experience they bring, and  3) develop feelings about how we think they will perform in the job.  This is exactly what we’ve all experienced in seeking jobs for ourselves.  However, now we are doing the hiring.  We should be thoughtful and choose wisely.  The input into our thinking and feelings should be current or from history, but relevant.  In addition, the actions and results of a current President give input as we consider how we feel regarding America’s safety, and our personal safety.  This input shapes our expectations for the 2016 batch of candidates, and our expectations for their possible future performance, doesn’t it?

PRACTICE WITH CURRENCY

Well, so what!  OK, let’s take a real example and practice our thinking:  The current debate on gun control.  There are two very divided sides to this issue, and they are driven further apart by special interests and the politicians.  In any event, the President has chosen this issue as a point of focus, arguing with passion that it will bring increased safety to all of us in America.   The question for each of us as voters is, “WILL IT, REALLY?”  

To begin our “thinking practice,” lets look at this from two perspectives:  1) The big picture or national viewpoint, and 2) The local and more personal viewpoint.  Now ask.  Will compliance with the President’s executive orders make us more safe in fact as a nation, and should you choose to own a gun, make you personally feel more safe because you’ve followed the executive orders, or someone has?  Do you feel confident that others will comply as you might choose to do?  What about the bad guys?  What if they don’t comply?  These are tough questions, to which I’m not suggesting an answer.  I’m only asking you to ask the questions.  

I have faith in voter choices, and I have confidence that Americans will make the best decisions with their votes.  I really believe, and that belief forms the basis of the Voting Alert Beacons.  Do you have the same confidence in your choices, and in the choices of your fellow Americans?  I hope so.

PRACTICE WITH HISTORICAL RELEVANCY

Still practicing, and on the issue of safety, let’s think bigger and give thought to what history might teach us.  Expand your thinking to look back at the serving President’s performance record on national safety.  Consider the following events:

• Doubling the national deficit from $10 to $20 trillion (a key safety driver)
• Continuing cuts in defense spending
• Not putting the missile defense system in Eastern Europe
• Watching as Russia invaded Crimea (later annexed) and the Ukraine
• Not implementing by actions that contribute to energy independence
• Benghazi
• Releasing 6000 convicts from federal prisons
• Iran nuclear agreement
• Syrian refugees
• Continued growth of ISIS
• Not sealing the US borders
• Not taking action on the Syrian chemical weapon redline
• Early withdrawal of forces from Iraq
• Plans to withdraw forces from Afghanistan
• Releasing Guantanomo prisoners (with goal to close the prison)

The controversy around all and each of these continues to swirl.  We all have our own ideas and opinions about them, but let’s go back to my earlier question.  In terms of keeping America SAFE, do you think the serving President has properly balanced actions and responses in each, given how all of these connect to  each other to form a tapestry?  Is that tapestry a warm blanket of safety?  Is America safer?  Is there a unifying vision that runs through all of them?  Finally, finish the process by going back to the beginning, and ask yourself how you feel about gun control now.  Should it even be part of the same historical “tapestry and weave?”  Ask yourself how safe you might feel now if different actions had been taken along the way. 

OK, now carry the learnings and feelings you’ve gotten from this thought experiment, and look at the 2016 candidates.  Consider your choice carefully and be sure to vote!!!  

Honesty and public service are the gears that drive our democracy, and we turn those gears with our RIGHT TO VOTE.   LET’S ALL VOTE!

. . .  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 © 2016 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

SCORING THE FIRST DEBATE

The first Presidential debate of the 2016 campaign season is hosted by Fox News.  It will be in Cleveland, Ohio on August 6th, beginning at 5:00pm ET.  Only two more days!  

For this first Republican debate, the good news is that finally all of the candidates will be in one spot, making it easier for we Voters to gauge their experience and capability.  By-the-way, it is also good news that there are so many of them.  Hopefully, more will become Democratic candidates soon.  Having a wide selection of opinions and personalities is good for the country, and makes our job as Voters more interesting.  

The bad news is that it could get noisy.  Will the candidates talk about the issues we’re interested in?  Look for candidates that seem to have we Voters in mind.  Or, will the debate devolve into a discussion that they’re having with themselves?  Look for candidates that directly talk to us.

First remember: Voting Alert Beacon #3:  Listen/Ignore

This is a great opportunity to “listen” to positive candidates and “ignore” negative candidates.  Before the debate, take a moment to review Beacon #3, but the gist of it is that we should listen intently to those candidates who talk only about their leadership ability, experience and position (plan) on the issues.  Just as intently, we should ignore candidates that talk about the other candidates “stuff.”  

For the debate, create a scorecard with two boxes next to each candidate’s name.  Label the boxes as Listen and Ignore.  When a candidate talks only about their stuff, put a check mark in the Listen box.  If they talk about the other candidates stuff put a check mark in the Ignore box.  When they make negative comments of any kind about the other candidate (s), that should also earn them an Ignore checkmark.  

Then after the debate, for each candidate, subtract the number of check marks in the Ignore box from the number of check marks in the Listen box.  Presto, you have the score for each candidate.  Lastly, see who has the largest score, and then think about how you feel about their positions on the issues.

Second remember:  Voter Alert Beacon #7:  Keep It A Secret

Now your done.  You watched the debate.  You kept score using Beacon #3.  You have a candidate high score, and you’re thinking about what they said about the issues.  Keep all of your scoring, and your thoughts or feelings secret.  They belong to only you!  As long as they are your secret, they are powerful, and your vote will be.

Third remember:  Voter Alert Beacon #4:  Polls

Talk with your friends.  Discuss the issues.  Combine information and all learn together.  Just be sure you don’t respond to candidates, media, or organizations who are conducting polls and want your opinion.  If you respond, you lessen your power as a voter, and of your vote directly.

Honesty and public service are the gears that drive our democracy, and we turn those gears with our RIGHT TO VOTE.   LET’S ALL VOTE!

. . .  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 © 2015 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

IT’S THE IDEA! (without the word stupid)

Do you remember the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid?”  I don’t recall who coined the phrase or which election, but it has resurfaced in most if not all the elections since it was first uttered.

I know of an economist whose articles I read on Facebook.  He has good ideas and thoughtful presentations.  They are worth listening to, thinking about, and otherwise absorbing.  Except, he surrounds his ideas with many negative comments about the other political party, accusing them of lying.  I’m not sure why he does this.  He causes a dark cloud of negativity to descend over his ideas, and they become lost.  

Guess what, the other party has good ideas too. We need competition between ideas, not between people.  We need public servants not politicians.  A public servant will look for the right question, and the matching solution, no matter where the trail leads.  A politician only sees the process as a sport and game to be won.  Even if they win occasionally, we voters always lose when we play their game.

Think about it this way.  Have you ever had an idea?  Whether you pass it on, or not, it’s alive, right?  In many ways, it is another one of your children, isn’t it?  It lives because of you, and it’s normal to feel like you want to protect it.  We put all our effort into helping our children develop until they can finally stand on their own two feet.  In the end, no matter how they grow, we always love them, right?  

• Do you like it when someone or something attacks one of your children?
• Do you like it when they say their children are somehow better than yours?
• Aren’t all children beautiful and deserving?

Well, so are ideas!  Maybe, like we try to teach our children to work together, we can also find ways for our ideas to blend and strengthen each other.  The third option really can be the best option.

It’s the idea!  Think about it without the word “stupid.”

Honesty and public service are the gears that drive our democracy, and we turn those gears with our RIGHT TO VOTE.   LET’S ALL VOTE!  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 © 2015 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

TALE OF TWO POLLS

A Virtuous Circle of Activity

The first poll is conducted by business to understand what products and services we need.  Then, they are able to create the products and services we want.  While the process can vary, it often begins with customer research which uncovers unmet needs.  Then a vision for how the need might innovatively and profitably be met emerges, followed by actions and activities that lead to the creation of the product or service.  Our lives are further enriched, and business makes the profit it needs to employ people,  build more products and services, and pay taxes.  A virtuous circle of activity.

A Negative Feedback Loop Is Created

The second poll is used by politicians to build positions on the issues that will insure they are elected or re-elected.  Some of the negative consequences include the following:

• Polls divide us against ourselves as citizens and voters.
• Polls lessen our independent thinking by creating a bandwagon for us to jump onto.  
• Polls are used to design and measure the effectiveness of negative advertising.  As a result, the advertising becomes more negative and more personal.  
• Polls determine the issues and “talking points of the day.”  The connection between what needs to be discussed and what is discussed becomes weaker and weaker.
• Polls are used to “keep score” between candidates and negatively reinforce the arguments they have with each other.  The campaigns become louder and more negative, and eventually reach a point where we voters are no longer part of the discussion.

A negative feedback loop is created that excludes independent thought, leadership, and new ideas, while serving to suppress honesty and genuine public service.

PLEASE FOLLOW VOTING ALERT BEACON #4:  POLLS

Stop giving and participating in political polls and focus groups taken by the candidates.  Let’s make America a poll dead zone. When we stop telling the politicians what we think, then maybe, we’ll find out what they think.  The only questions that should be answered by anyone, are the questions we voters ask the candidates.  Then we can decide what we think, and vote powerfully and effectively.  

Honesty and public service are the gears that drive our democracy, and we turn those gears with our RIGHT TO VOTE.   LET’S ALL VOTE!

. . .  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 © 2015 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

DO YOU FEEL SAFE?

Government’s obligation to provide for the nations defense, and its safety, has been a core responsibility from the beginning.  For most of us, we think of safety in our cities, towns, neighborhoods and homes.  In that regard, the police and fire departments have always been our first line of defense, our friends and heroes.   When we have suffered public disturbances or mass crime in our cities, or when nature has unleashed her fury and destructive powers, we have relied on the “state guard” to restore the order, or keep order, as we put things back together.

I’m raising these issues now because soon we will be voting again to select a new set of leaders, and whether we are safe, and feel safe, has to do with selecting the right leaders.  I will also confess that for the firs time in my life as an American citizen, I’m not sure if I really do feel safe.  

As we continue to move into another election season, I am thinking carefully about the questions for which we need answers.  Using the Voting Alert Beacons as a guide, I will first look for candidates to think of the questions on their own.  Are they in touch with reality and me?  Then I will listen carefully to their answer.  I will carefully consider the details of their plan(s).  Does it answer the questions?  If they focus on criticizing other plans instead, then I will ignore them, and they won’t get my vote. 

OK, where do we start?  What questions should we begin with?  Well, for me the murder of Kate Steinle, the Chattanooga terrorist attack, and the recently signed nuclear agreement with Iran are good places to start.  They are recent.

Here’s my list.  Add your own questions and go from there.

Kate Steinle:

• How is it possible that a felon with multiple convictions and deportations was released to walk freely in an American city?
• In the midst of this tragedy, why must we watch local, state, and federal officials quarreling about who is to blame? Why can't they think more about how they broke their oaths to keep us safe?
• Doesn’t responsibility start at the border?  How does a person like Kate’s murderer walk or transport himself easily back into the United States?  The border is well defined.  The objective is clear.  Why can’t we close it?  

The Chattanooga Terrorist Attack:

• How is it possible that members of the most highly trained armed forces in the world through all of history were on duty without the means to protect themselves, and those around them?
• How can we ever ask anyone, under any circumstance, to give an oath to preserves and protect the Constitution of the United States (which includes us), and at the same time leave them disarmed?
• An ordinary citizen can carry a firearm in Chattanooga.  Why can’t an elite marine or sailor when they are on duty?
• Generally, isn’t it common sense that those who wish to do us harm with think twice if they know we can, and will defend ourselves?

The Nuclear Agreement With Iran:

• Why did we abandon all of our negotiation goals in the process of arriving at this agreement with Iran?
• What happened to anytime and anywhere inspections?
• Why would we ever want to willingly agree to lift the arms embargo on Iran, and permit them to develop missiles?
• Why do we want to give them $150 billion dollars if their support of terrorism is clear?
• If we want this agreement because it will help the common folks inside of Iran, why didn’t we just support their uprising in 2009?
• What about the only democracy in the Middle East and our friend Israel?  Why are empowering neighbors who define their existence by the destruction of Israel?

OK, I gave you a few questions to start with.  Now think of more questions you’d like answers to.  We need to start asking our leaders for solid answers. 

In this election season, there will be much to think about and questions to ask.  As we ask the questions, and listen to the answers given, all of us will begin to develop “feelings” for what we should do as individuals, and who we should vote for.  Don’t hesitate to follow your feelings and vote accordingly.  After 200 million of us vote, the answer we provide will be more correct than any person or group of experts could ever be.

Let’s also practice looking for honesty and true public service.  By that I mean honesty in fact, and public service that causes our leaders to put us first, not themselves or their careers. Honesty and public service are the gears that drive our democracy, and we turn those gears with our RIGHT TO VOTE.   LET’S ALL VOTE!

. . .  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 © 2015 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

We Vote for People Not Issues (or we should)

Our democracy encourages, and it’s critical that we have, a vigorous debate about the issues of the day during the campaign and before the election.  The candidates can and should tell us what their plans are for the future, and what their positions are on the issues.  However, after the election, candidates need to remember that they represent and serve not just the voters who voted for them, but also the voters who didn’t.  In many ways the hardest work begins after the election.

VOTE FOR THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON. 

My post on July 29, 2014, “Quality and Qualified” listed the following personal attributes that we should look for in legislative and congressional candidates

“Problem solver and action oriented, detail minded and pragmatic, consensus and team builder, trustworthy and credible, and service minded and unselfish.”

That same post listed listed the following personal attributes for President.  The same list would apply to governors of the various states.

“Vision, charisma, pragmatism, consensus building, trust or credibility.”

Whether it’s Washington DC or in the various states, we need the best and the brightest working for us solving the toughest problems in history.  Let’s elect the “cream of the crop.”

Spread the word!  Tell your friends about the Voting Alert Beacons!

. . .  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 © 2014 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

COMMENT AND QUESTION: The Search for Truth

Comment

In a Voting Alert Beacons post on May 17, 2014, I discussed the virtues of truth and honesty.   Following is a portion of what I wrote:  

“Truth can be found in the alignment of our senses with ideas and viewpoints that are supported by facts.  To pursue the truth we need to use our intellect, our spirit and all of our powers of intention.   It has always been a quest, and still is.

Outside of a way of living, talking about something, or in taking an action, honesty doesn’t mean much.  However, it is everything when our lives, the words we speak, and the actions we take line up perfectly with the truth.  The truth, not from only our point of view, but from point of view of others, too.  Our honesty isn’t so much about ourselves as it is about how we treat others, the actions we take, and what we give of ourselves to the world around us.”

It is perhaps the most important goal for us as citizens that the public servants we elect are truthful and honest.  This is not only true for how we work together as Americans, but it is equally true for how we treat the world around us, especially our closest friends and allies.  An example the world is currently experiencing is the conflict between Israel and Hamas (it’s not between Israel and the Palestinian people).

Two days ago, I posted another “Comment and Question” about Hamas and the lack of support President Obama, Secretary Kerry and the administration are showing Israel.  I also included comment about Britain, Germany and France, and how weak they are at this point in history as evil seems to be emerging everywhere.  Lastly, I questioned the Media in terms of factual and unbiased reporting.  The Media as a group generally claims that they are presenting all the facts and reporting with no bias.  Well, maybe not.  

Somehow the truth seems to emerge eventually though. Today, I found several videoclips (Facebook and Twitter) that are factual, truthful and simple.  See what you think.

The Middle East Problem

The Empty Spaces in Gaza

Questions

President Obama, have you done your homework?  Did you view the above videoclips?  Has this kind of information been presented to you in your intelligence briefings?  If you haven’t seen this kind of information before, as President, have you fixed the problem for the future?

Secretary Kerry, why did you even think it was a good idea to negotiate with Hamas?  You realize that they are on our American (and most other countries) terrorist organization list, right?  Do you understand that the strongest negotiating position is always from truth and honesty?  

Media, I asked in my post two days ago why no one seemed to be able to find information about what Hamas is doing on the ground.  Others, not in the media, seem to find information.  Why haven’t you?  Why do you interview Hamas leaders and members?  Why do you give a listed terrorist organization a “microphone?”  Do you realize that if you were a company doing business with Hamas, it would be illegal?  I’m not at all in favor of limited the Media and curtailing the First Amendment, but can’t you just present all the sides with more truth and honesty?

BOTTOM LINE:

Now and in the future, when we cast our votes and elect public servants, let’s work harder at finding people who will serve with truth and honesty.  If it’s the President, lets elect someone who will lead from the “high ground.”  If it’s Congress, let’s elect people who begin with truth and honesty as they find common ground to work together from, and solve problems.

Spread the word!  Tell your friends about the Voting Alert Beacons!

. . .  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 © 2014 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

Voter Practice for the Next Election

As I’ve written before, the Voting Alert Beacons are basic and easy to understand principles for voters to use to maximize the power and effectiveness of their individual vote.  Connected to this idea is the notion that we should cast our votes with courage and confidence.  Courage that even as we vote individually we vote together if everyone votes.  Confidence, that when we all vote, the best decisions will emerge.

As another election cycle approaches, this is a good time to practice two very important voter skills.  Those skills are:  1) the ability to ask questions, and 2) the ability to listen.  Later, in another post, I will go deeper into the basic candidate skills as laid out by the Voter Alert Beacons.

SYRIA CHALLENGE PRACTICE PROBLEM

For this practice session, let’s talk about Syria.  Over the past several weeks, as you’ve watched your news source there are a number of prominent headlines that have talked about Syria.

• Approximately a year ago, President Obama very publicly declared that if Syria used chemical weapons, they would be crossing a “red line,” and there would be serious consequences.
• Now, the United States is sure Syria has used chemical weapons on its own people.
• UN inspectors have investigated and their results will be released in several weeks.
• Both Russia and China intend to vote no in the UN Security Council to any Syria punishment.
• The British Parliament has voted no to any military involvement with the US in Syria.
• It seems President Obama has decided that something needs to be done militarily.  “A shot needs to be fired across Syria’s bow.”  Now he is looking for support abroad and at home.
• The President has decided he will wait for a vote from Congress on whether Syria should be bombed or not.

Are there any questions we voters should be asking?

 QUESTIONS

It seems like common sense and fair that we voters should expect that anyone who we vote into national office should have skills in four basic areas:  Visioning, Strategic Planning, Leadership, and Team Building.  Given the details of this practice problem, what questions should we now be asking?

Some questions:

1. Given the lessons of history, is there anything that has happened in Syria and the surrounding countries which couldn’t have been predicted?  Is it a surprise that Assad wants to stay in power?  Is it a surprise that he would use his substantial military to destroy any opposition to his rule?  Because he has chemical weapons, doesn’t it seem highly likely he would use them?
2. Given the geopolitical and economic interests of Russia and China, is it surprising that they tend to work against taking effective action in Syria to bring peace and stop the bloodshed?
3. Why did President Obama think that his statement about using chemical weapons and crossing a red line would in fact stop Syria from using those weapons?  What does it mean that Syria used chemical weapons in spite of the “red line?”
4. Because the events in Syria, including chemical weapons, were predictable wouldn’t it have been a good use of visioning and strategic planning to ask Congress to have a “red line” debate and vote before making the red line declaration?  Then, would the “red line” be so easy for Syria to ignore?  Wouldn’t a little preplanning in terms of “what if” have been a great thing to do with our allies too.
5. A broader question now might be whether the President has stepped back to look at the Middle East as a whole to see what other red lines might exist.  Are there finished strategic plans that can be called upon and implemented when needed?  Has the consulting and communication with Congress and our allies been done ahead of time so action can be taken when certain things happen?  
6. It seems that the military is prepared to implement a number of options, if needed.  Why is leadership in the White House and in Congress so unprepared to make a decision and to act?
7. The big question overall is why does it seem like we’re so unprepared?  What if our leaders had the skills of visioning, strategic planning, leadership and team building, would we be better prepared?

PART OF THE ANSWER TO ALL OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS

Sadly, instead of focusing on answers to the questions above, most of our elected public officials are more interested in planning political strategies and winning political battles around issues that are only partisan because they want them to be.  

As voters, it’s time for us to use the Voting Alert Beacon principles to elect leaders who will work for us as individuals, and the collective we call America.  In terms of our national interests and defense, it would also be great if our leaders knew what the words “Be Prepared” meant, and could take the required actions at the required times.

. . .  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.