Here’s How I Feel

I've been thinking about America all day. Like all of us, I feel shock and great sadness about recent events. Good lives have needlessly been lost and families torn apart. It's hard to find answers, isn't it? Nonetheless, we must move forward into the wind. Straight ahead, we need to continue building our American future. Can we not learn some lessons and build a better America still? In spite of everything that seems wrong, I see a bright future. I believe there is much to look forward to. Why?

Our freedoms and liberties are guaranteed for ALL. That's a fact! That some of us have suffered over the years because others among us would deny those two things must now become a point of focus. This can be corrected! IT MUST BE CORRECTED!

We ALL have another job to do. ALL of us must focus on our responsibilities as citizens. The amount of freedom and liberty any of us enjoy is directly connected to how well we do in fulfilling our responsibilities. We should never expect a fire to warm us if we refuse to give it the wood it needs to burn brightly. In the days ahead, our first responsibility should be to hold and comfort each other. At least in spirit, if not in fact. Let's use this as a time to extent kindness and civility. Let's look out for each other. In so doing, we'll find ourselves united, not divided. The American way!

Lastly, tonight, I also believe we can and will reach MLK's "promised land." He was one of our greatest leaders and I find comfort in his words spoken so long ago.

What do you think?

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.  

LEADERS HAVE VISION!

On their websites, in their speeches, in what they have written, in interviews, in their public and private performance records, and according to what they have said, or probably will talk about, at debates, the current crop of Presidential candidates have included the following as priorities for our country:  

Jobs, education, national and personal security, improved standard of living, increasing the GDP, military capacity and national defense, strong diplomacy, immigration, tax reform, environmental protection and preservation, and reform of government to increase efficiency and effectiveness.  I may have missed a few, but this is a long list of the most important things.

Here’s a question, without regard to any political position on the issues, but only focused on generally finding improvement for our country in these areas …

WHY HAVEN’T ANY OF THE CANDIDATES PROPOSED THAT WE SEND A CREW TO MARS AND RETURN THEM SAFELY?

It is an act of leadership to see the challenges now and ahead, and propose a vision that takes us safely and confidently forward.  It is an act of leadership to call upon us as a nation to focus on doing something really difficult.  It is an act of leadership to stand up and with a strong character say, “follow me.”

Such a goal would not only cause America to focus on the trail forward, but we would reclaim our leadership position in the world.  I am quite sure that Russian, Iran, ISIS, and the rest of the evil actors would take notice.

The nay-sayers will hide behind the cost of such a mission.  I don’t know if it would take another $10 billion or $100 billion or even $500 billion.  I do know that any of those costs are small compared to the tangible and intangible returns from such a mission.  I do know that any of those costs are small compared to the amount our national debt has increased since 2000.  Finally, I do know that based on books and research easily available, that the “moon landing” in 1969, and what it took to accomplish that, is almost fully responsible for the America we live in today.

Let’s learn from history!   LISTEN TO WHAT ONE OF OUR GREATEST PRESIDENTS SAID WHEN HE SET THE GOAL OF GOING TO THE MOON:

WE THE PEOPLE need to ask the candidates for their Mars vision!  Remember Beacon #3 (Listen/Ignore).  It is fair for us to ask many questions and expect them to respond so we can "listen."

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.  

Correction and Congratulations

First, I’d like to offer my sincere apologies to David Brat for misspelling his last name in my Voting Alert Beacons post on June 11, 2014.  The “l” I typed should have been an “r.”  

I’d also like to congratulate Mr. Brat for his return to issued oriented campaigning that squeezed the negativity out of what he did.  I’m willing to bet Mr. Canter wishes he had stuck to the knitting of spotting issues important to his constituents, and proposing solutions (leading).  Hopefully, after the “earthquake” subsides among the political crowd they will realize that the politics of personal assassination is walking out the door.

I’ll bet Mr. Canter wishes he had spent more time back in his district as his job description read.  Below is another Voting Alert Beacons post that was posted on May 18, 2014 which proposes flipping our current system toward one where the Representatives and Senators spend more time in their districts / states than they do Washington DC.

Mr. Brat, I hope you’ll consider this as you campaign for the November election.  Your constituents my like hearing this from you.  Maybe your district in Virginia can start the ball rolling.

RE-POST ….

A New Vision - Bring Them Home

What if Representatives and Senators moved their principal office from Washington DC back to their districts and states?  With the transportation and communications systems available in this modern era, there are many reasons why it would work and even more reasons why it would be a good step for better public service and good government.  Keep in mind that very profitable companies now work daily on a global distributive model.

What does some of the fine print look like?  What does this mean?  In terms of the week, this might mean our public servants are in Washington DC on Monday and Tuesday.  For the remainder of the week, they are close to their constituents.  In terms of staying in touch, keep in mind that individuals and groups of people are now routinely connected with each other no matter where they are on the face of the planet. 

What else might change? 

The most important high level change is that they are closer to who they represent.  It is easier for them to remember where they come from.  Their “memberships” in the political parties will be correctly balanced by proximity to their constituents.  Their representation of us becomes stronger then their allegiance to issues and parties. 

The Representatives and Senators are also closer to their state government counterparts.  When they properly work together, they form an important counter weight to the accumulation of power in the federal government.  State’s rights is reinforced.

Special interests would have a more difficult time asserting influence.  The special interests will find it difficult and costly establishing a lobby office in each state.  Now they just set up one office in Washington DC.

Local media becomes more important and pronounced.  National media will have some of the same problems as special interests.

There will be important practical advantages too.  It will be less expensive to set up state or district office versus a very expensive and egocentric DC office.  The perks of office will likely be more normal if the Representative and Senators are close to their constituents.

Goal:  Work toward a time when great ideas will cast a show on the accumulation of great power.

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. 

A Vision – One Goal – One Speech

In several weeks, on September 12th, we will mark the 50 year anniversary of the Rice University speech in which President John F. Kennedy gave America the vision and goal of sending a person to the moon, and returning them safely, before the end of the decade.  

As a result, Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969 at 9:56pm EDT and President Kennedy’s vision for America was fulfilled.  Less talked about, and certainly nowhere near as dramatic in the moment as that “first step,” are the civilization changing effects the moon effort put into motion.  Not only did the moon landing remind us of the unlimited nature of humankind, but everything that was discovered and produced in the process is responsible for many of the things we use and enjoy in our lives today.

Here’s a partial list of areas and items:  Environmental research and monitoring, Weather predicting, Monitoring vegetation, Aerospace engineering, Electronics, Telecommunications, Education in math and the physical sciences, Micro technology, Health and medicine, Light emitting diodes to ease pain and speed healing, Improved ear thermometers, Ventricular assist devices, Artificial limbs, Transportation, Aircraft anti-icing systems, Highway safety grooving, Improved radial tires, Corrosion detection on aircraft, Public safety, Video enhancing and analysis systems, Fire resistant materials, Firefighting equipment, Consumer items, Stay dry clothing, No fog goggles, Home recreation, Temper foam for beds and crash protection, Enriched baby food, Portable cordless vacuums, Freeze dried food, Environment and Agriculture, Water purification, Solar energy, Pollution remediation, Computers and computer technology, structural analysis software, Remotely controlled ovens, Powdered lubricants, Improved mine safety, Food safety, Food sterilization, Food packaging.

Our world is what it is today because of the speech by President Kennedy.  He was one man with a vision, a goal, and the drive to lead.  At that time, as today, America faced many challenges.  Perhaps, if we could remember some history, there would be lessons we could adapt and some old ideas we could make new.

Maybe we should notice that in this political season, with the extra turmoil and turbulence we seem to be experiencing this time in the election for President, two important things will have happened before the election in November.  On August 5, Curiosity landed safely on Mars and has begun its exploration, and on September 12th, we will celebrate the 50 year anniversary of President Kennedy’s speech.  

Candidates Obama and Romney, let’s go to Mars.  Find a vision, set a goal and let’s get moving again.  Then in the process, we’ll invent things we can’t even imagine yet, we’ll learn things we didn’t know were there to be learned, we’ll create an education system open to all of humankind, we’ll cure diseases we don’t even know exist yet, we may eliminate hunger, and we might create more jobs then there are people on the planet.

What are you waiting for?  
Remember:  VISION, GOAL, AND LEADERSHIP!!!


. . .  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.