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.  

GOD BLESS THE USA

MY FELLOW AMERICANS, this day and this age calls us.    Everything we want and all that we need IS in front of us, but we must focus on its potential, and embrace it.  

So, it’s time for us, “WE THE PEOPLE”  to quiet our voices and become calm.  It’s time for “WE THE PEOPLE” to increase the volume of our VOTES.  Whether we are liberal or conservative, left or right, man or woman, young or old, no matter our color, no matter our language, no matter our religion, and no matter what divides us or makes us different from each other, it’s time for all of us to put aside these labels and just be Americans in the United States of America.  It’s time for each of us to awaken our sense of CIVIC responsibility and become “WE THE PEOPLE” again.

Please enjoy this Home Free a cappella arrangement of "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood.

Have a great and safe Fourth of July!

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.  

HELL NO, the Voters Aren’t Stupid

The voters ARE the government!  The government exists at our pleasure!  

On November 4th, not enough of us voted, but the results echoed throughout the land.  

It doesn’t matter what party or politic you call your own.  Honesty, truth, humility, competence, and a genuine desire to “serve through service” must be the “battle cries” of all our elected public servants.

No matter your view or politic, President Reagan cuts to the core truth about Americans, who we are as Americans, and what are job is as voters.

We Are Americans!

We voted, now we must watch.  Soon we must vote again.

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.  

Did You VOTE In Your Primary Today?

Today was “primary voting” day in Minnesota.  If you are having a primary in your state today, did you vote on your way to work?  If not yet, be sure to find time later.  Check to see when your polls close ASAP. 

I VOTED TODAY!!!

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.  

CHOOSE TO BE UNCOMMON -- VOTE

We all have different gifts and skills.  We have all been blessed with different experiences that enrich each of us, and collectively bless us as a nation.  We are indeed blessed as a nation in spite of our many individual differences because of the “right to vote.”  Ultimately, the right to vote is the glue that binds us and unites us.  It was won for us several hundred years ago by our Fore Fathers and they memorialized the right in the U.S. Constitution where it says, “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union …”  We enjoy it not because of any of our own actions, but because of the actions of those who came before.

It is up to each of us to use the right to vote, to exercise it, and to pass it on to our children.  Isn’t it sad that some choose not to vote, and thereby diminish the right by one more increment?  

In MY CREED below, Mr. Alfange offers his perspective on America and what it means to be an American.  He speaks directly about a few rights, and many of his own choices.  The right to vote is basic and indispensable for everything he expresses. 

MY CREED ...by Dean Alfange (Flying "W" Ranch)

I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon. I seek opportunity to develop whatever talents God gave me, not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any earthly master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say-----"This , with God's help, I have done." 

All this is what it means to be an American.

Vote, please vote!  Voting is basic to what it means to be an American.  By every vote made we buy more “stock” in our future individually and collectively as a nation.

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.  

EXCEPTIONAL-ISM

In the process of justifying what’s happening to Crimea, President Putin, from the Russian Federation, has complained about something called American Exceptional-ism.  Generally, I don’t think we Americans think about ourselves as being exceptional.  Instead, most of us in our day to day lives just go about getting the job done.  Like most people in the world we want to take care of our families, and find happiness in what we do with our lives.  Perhaps, we could point to our democracy and the foundational right to vote. 

Then, if anything is exceptional, it would be the spirit of freedom and liberty that was given to us in the beginning by our founding fathers and mothers.  If we are guilty of anything, it is only that we wish others around the globe might enjoy the same blessings that we enjoy.  We might also be guilty of our conviction that everyone has the right to rise to their own potential without restraint and restriction other than the limits of their own efforts and desires.

Here’s one expression of our American conviction.  Enjoy!

MY CREED ...by Dean Alfange (Flying "W" Ranch)

“I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon.  I seek opportunity to develop whatever talents God gave me, not security.  I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.  I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.  I refuse to barter incentive for a dole.  I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.  I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout.  I will never cower before any earthly master nor bend to any threat.  It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say-----This , with God's help, I have done." 

All this is what it means to be an American. 

Mr. Putin, you should give this a try.  You might even find some success.

. . .  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. 

Voting Alert Beacons QUICKSTART revision ...

On June 11, I posted the first version of Voting Alert Beacons QUICKSTART.  Recall, that the QUICKSTART is a bare essentials guide for voting in a way that maximizes the power and effectiveness of individual votes.

Since I posted the first QUICKSTART, like a drumbeat we are hearing that there is a lack of leadership at all levels in Washington DC.   Scandal after scandal is erupting.  Further, even the pundits and political commentators are now talking about how our elected officials are acting out of their own self-interest and those of their political parties (both parties).  Not all, but it seems that many have forgotten that they are public servants, and should act like servant leaders. 

What are servant leaders?  There are many defining lists of characteristics published by authors, but you always come away with the same positive feelings and understanding of servant leadership.  Sometimes the words are different, but the theme is always the same. 

Given the gap of servant leadership in Washington DC, I’ve added a new Step 2 which includes a list of servant leadership qualities. 

When you vote, this is the first step when considering the individuals you can choose from.  As Step 2 indicates, you don’t need to study leadership to vote most effectively.  Just vote for the candidate who can be described by the largest number of qualities.

QUICKSTART

Step 1:  Remember that by the U.S. Constitution, the citizens run things in America.  We do this by voting.

Step 2:  Vote for the candidate who the greatest number of the following words applies to:  Listens, Values diversity, Cultivates trust, Develops other leaders, Helps other people, Encourages, Uses persuasion, Thinks “you” not “me”, Acts with humility and Thinks long term.  

Step 3:  Vote for the candidates that talk only about their vision and why they are the best qualified candidate in terms of talents and experience.

Step 4:  Vote for the candidate that takes little or no money from any organizations and has the smallest average contribution amount from individual citizens.  

Step 5:  Be sure to vote and keep your vote a secret.

At the core, it really is that simple. 

Stay tuned …

. . .  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 QUICKSTART coming soon ...

The Voting Alert Beacons are based on a very small number of things voters can do to maximize the power and effectiveness of their votes.  On top of these basic principles I've written and will continue to write about what they are, and why they work.  As I write, I plan to include current examples of what is happening in our local, state, and federal governments, and discuss how the relevant Beacon(s) apply.  

In the mean time, I will provide a QUICKSTART list of what voters can begin to think about and do immediately.  In the weeks ahead, QUICKSTART will take its place as a "tab" on the Voting Alert Beacons home page with the other Beacons.

For a preview, here's a draft list of "steps" I expect will be included:

Step 1:  Remember that by the U.S. Constitution, the citizens run things in America.  We do this by voting.

Step 2:  Vote for the candidates that talk only about their vision and why they are the best qualified candidate in terms of talents and experience.

Step 3:  Vote for the candidate that takes little or no money from any organizations and has the smallest average contribution amount from individual citizens.  

Step 4:  Be sure to vote and keep your vote a secret.

At the core, it really is that simple.  

Stay tuned …

. . .  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.

Happy Flag Day Everyone!

This morning I was reading some news accounts and predications about speeches that candidates Obama and Romney are giving in Ohio.  All of the “political predictors of the future” are guessing about what each may say.  While I’m hopeful, I have doubts that either will talk about something that is close to a vision for success.  Tomorrow, if I’m wrong and there is something exciting to write about, I certainly will.

Today, I’d like to write about our most precious right.  The right to vote.  Especially, since it’s Flag Day, and I feel patriotic.

Actually, I don’t have much to write, but I do have some questions for us to think about.

Voting Alert Beacon #4

• There are so many polls taken during the election season.  What if everyone refused to participate?  What if we told the pollsters it was none of the business (See Voting Alert Beacon #7)?
• How would the candidates create their positions?
• How would the candidates create the negative marketing ads?
• Would this new kind of “blindness” caused by the lack of polling information cause them to look inward to their own personal beliefs and visions?
• Would they then have to talk to us about where THEY think we should go, and where they want to lead us?

Voting Alert Beacon #6

• What if everyone voted, literally?
• Doesn’t it make sense that increased numbers of citizens voting would help us make better choices as a country?  Do you ever wonder about all the people who don’t vote regularly because they’re just discouraged, and how many of them are really creative and smart?  What if we had that valuable input?
• Some people would like to vote, but they don’t have a way to the polls.  You know, no car or they’re physically handicapped.  Why can’t all of us who are blessed just make sure everyone in sight has a way to the polling places to vote?
• If voting is so important to a democracy, why don’t we get citations or tickets when you don’t?  We can get a ticket for speeding, right?  Of course, because we are a free people, we have a right NOT to vote, don’t we?  No, let’s not mess with that.

Voting Alert Beacon #7

• What would be the effect on candidates and the “race for office” if no one knew how we voters were going to vote?  Really, what if they had no idea?
• Would the value of our individual votes go up?
• Would candidates spend as much time criticizing their opponents?
• Or, would they talk more about what they want to accomplish and why we should vote for them?
• Oh, what about the special interests?  What if the unions, the professional associations, and lobbying groups we belonged to had no idea how we were going to vote?  Many of these special interest groups give voice to important concerns, but do they have a right to knowledge about how we will vote?
• Come to think about it, does anybody or anything have a right to influencing, controlling or knowing about our vote? 

What if everyone who is eligible to vote cast a vote, and what if they were all cast in total secrecy?  Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?

Hey, sorry for all the questions!  I was just practicing how to be a thinking voter!

Again, Happy Flag Day!


. . .  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.

Has  voting become irrelevant?  Do individual  votes matter?  The numbers seem to be saying that many of us think so. . .

  According to the 2010 Census America has a population of over 308 million.  Of that number, nearly 211 million are over 18 years in age and therefore “age-eligible” to vote.  Sadly, only 137 million are registered to vote, and only 96 million voted in the 2010 elections.  Admittedly, in off year elections turnout is smaller, but it’s hard to accept the difference between 211 million and 96 million.  [Source:  2010 Census]

It seems that a small group of citizens are running the place because they are picking the candidates.  Why not let them continue?  Can my vote make a difference?  Really?  Ok, let’s look at this year’s Republican primary numbers.  Recall, and depending on which party has “held” the Presidency, every four years generally either the Democrats or the Republicans have a very contested primary season in which they select an individual to represent their party in the election for President against the incumbent.  This year the votes cast numbers as of this date, March 26^th, 2012 and after 30 state primaries or caucuses, are 9,858,824 primary votes and 409,313 caucus votes.  While there is a large difference in character and process between a primary vote and a caucus vote, for the sake of number play when we add these two numbers together the total is 10,268,137 or 3.3% of the total population and 4.9% of those who are age-eligible to vote.  Yes, a small group of active and well intentioned citizens is running the country now.   They’re doing their job and now those who don’t vote need to begin doing theirs.  When only a few vote, fewer great ideas emerge to help solve the never ending supply of challenges.   Can this be changed?  Absolutely!  [Source:  CNN , America’s Choice 2012 Election Center, Results]

This can be changed by doing a few simple things.  First, while the primary system isn’t perfect, until a better approach can be implemented, our basic right to vote can make it a whole lot better.  In those states where there are open primaries, we all need to cast a vote.  It doesn’t matter which political party, or even what your party affiliation is or if you have one.  Listen to the primary candidates and cast your vote.  In the process, remember Voting Alert Beacons #6 and #7.  Never miss an opportunity to vote and cast your vote in secret.  Votes are always cast and counted one vote at a time.  So, just make the best choice you can make.  If everyone does the same thing, the genius of America will emerge just as surely as gravity is keeping you in your chair as you read this blog post.  If Nike’s motto of “Just Do It” has inspired many athletes to excel, then “Just Vote” expresses how each of us plays an important part in making our lives better.

In my next post I will discuss what we should listen to when candidates speak and what we should ignore.   

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.