BEACON OF HOPE--Wanis Kabbaj

Recently, one of the things the press in America has been consumed by is the fact that President Trump declared that he was a nationalist.  When I heard him say it, images of walking on the moon, the building of our transnational railroad, the steady walk of settlers westward, and even the Civil War with the abolishment of slavery.  That the press would necessarily compare the Presidents statement to Hitler’s or see it as racist is really extreme.

I’m proud to be an American and feel a strong sense of nationalism within.  However, I am also a globalist.  I believe President Trump is a globalist too.  He is a generous person, and I believe he’s proud of America as the most generous nation on the planet.

So, it is with great confusion and with frustration settling in, that I read about another war within our psyche created by the press.  Fortunately, my inability to express all that I feel is rescued by Wanis Kabbaj.  His TED Talk is full of clear thinking and common sense.  I hope you will take a few minutes to listen to and view it.

“How Nationalism and Globalism Can Coexist”

LET’S ALL VOTE!!

. . .  and as we do, 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.  

Beacons of Hope-SUSAN COLLINS SENATE SPEECH

Cornerstones of the Voting Alert Beacons are honesty and public service.  Recently, Senator Collins shined a bright light on both cornerstones and became a Beacon of Hope in the process.  

If you haven’t had a chance, or taken the time, to listen to the October 5th, 2018 Susan Collins Senate floor speech, below is a link giving you an easy opportunity.  Her speech is one more historic example of why over the years the Senate has come to be considered the “greatest deliberative body.”  That reputation has tattered in recent times, but Senator Collins repairs some of the frays in her speech.  

Thank you Senator Collins:

LET’S ALL VOTE!!

. . .  and as we do, 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.  

BRIAN STRAKA-WALK AWAY

On this July 4th, 2018, I have pondered all day what Beacon of Hope I could send.  I wanted to find something VERY special.  After all, this is America’s birthday, and I believe her future is bright.

I found it!  I will sleep better tonight because Brandon Straka is an American citizen.  I find comfort in his honesty and courage.  I hope you do too!

Our future is secure if we can remember the virtues of Honesty and Public Service!  We must never forget that WE THE PEOPLE run things in America!

. . .  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.  

Beacons of Hope-WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

Perhaps the biggest lie of all time is that our government, or a government, can give us a happy life.  That it can take care of us.  That it can solve our personal problems.  There is a long history of government attempts, ie: War On Poverty, which offer lessons that demonstrate this to be only wishful thinking, and not the truth.  Yet, we need a government for the reasons of what it can do for us:  National defense, Law Enforcement (when not corrupt), Public Education and Energy and Transportation Infrastructure.  

Today, I offer a Beacon of Hope that should cause us to think of what we can do for ourselves, and what our responsibilities are.  A Beacon of Hope which reminds us of the immense personal powers we all have.  This is also a reminder of what America has done so well over the hundreds of years since its birth.  Our American democracy, freedoms, and liberty have unleashed the energy and incredible abilities of its people like never before in the history of the world.

Take heart and enjoy!

. . .  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.  

BEACONS OF HOPE: Democracy by Random Selection

When did politics become a career field?  Why would anyone aspire to become a politician?  I know the answer to the second question.  They work for their interests and special interests, all the while making a great deal of money without producing anything.  In the work they have done, they created a new class called the “elite.”  It’s hard to understand, but some of them now see themselves as modern day rulers.

In the beginning, and for many years, we called this career field public service, didn’t we?  The people who entered the field were called public servants.  Who did they work for?  They worked for us, WE THE PEOPLE.  What did they do?  What did they make?  They swore an oath to the US Constitution, and worked diligently for each American Citizen they represented, and for America as a whole.  Then after they served their term of office, they went back to their career and job.  They returned to the body politic we call WE THE PEOPLE.  Best of all, these public servants were honest.  

Today, I’d like to dedicate this BEACON OF HOPE to the virtues of honesty and public service.  To the public servants we still have, this one’s for you.

WHAT IF WE REPLACED POLITICIANS WITH RANDOMLY SELECTED PEOPLE?

. . .  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.  

BEACON OF HOPE - John F. Kennedy On Hope

President Kennedy was many things.  That he could leave us with so much to remember him by, in the short time he was President before his assassination only, speaks to his immense capacity to lead.   

That he could rise to meet the challenges of his time highlights the same courage and determination he used to become a war hero.  That he could speak of a bright future and take actions to bring it closer demonstrates his vision.  However, there is one underlying virtue which informed everything that he was and did.  It is his sense of HOPE.  

View this video clip and see if you might also think he wrote and spoke it all for our times.  He probably didn’t, but he could have because his sense of HOPE was timeless.  

As you start a new week, I HOPE you will go forth optimistically in everything, and that you will pass it on to everyone you meet.

. . .  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 © 2017 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

A HIDDEN BEACON OF HOPE

A hidden BEACON OF HOPE sometimes shines the brightest. 

Let's remember that we all bear a shared burden to guard our freedom and liberty. When either of these is diminished for one of us, it is diminished for all of us.

Equally important is the idea that one person can make a difference.  Each of us is one person.  Each of us can make a difference.  All it takes is deciding to.

Likewise, voting and one vote can make a difference.  How we conduct ourselves in our public discourse, and how we demand our public servants act, is tied ultimately to our votes.  Use the Voting Alert Beacons to dramatically increase the effectiveness of your vote and all of our votes.

. . .  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 © 2017 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

BEACON OF HOPE - Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

It's a fateful moment in history. We've seen divisive elections, divided societies and the growth of extremism -- all fueled by anxiety and uncertainty. "Is there something we can do, each of us, to be able to face the future without fear?" asks Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. 

His Answer:  "We can face any future without fear so long s we know we will not face it alone.  For the sake of the future you, together let us strengthen the future us."

In this electrifying talk, the spiritual leader gives us three specific ways we can move from the politics of "me" to the politics of "all of us, together."



. . .  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 © 2017 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.  

BEACON OF HOPE - Casey Gerald

"In Gospel of Doubt," Casey Gerald chronicles the current state of the American Dream and explores ways to sustain it for a new generation.  This is thought provoking, and ends on with a profound thought.  A true BEACON of HOPE.

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

Dave