Listen to what  candidates say about themselves . . .

According to what Voting Alert Beacon #3 states, we should Listen to what candidates say about themselves and their ideas, but ignore what they say about the other candidates.  In this case, what they say also means what they write.  So to make it a little easier for everyone, I’ve done some of the research so that I could send the links that follow (in alphabetic order):

Ron Paul 

Issues

… about

Mitt Romney

On the Issues

Romney Believe in America

Rick Santorum

Issues

… more

Newt Gingrich

Solutions (issues)

Meet Newt

While the general election hasn’t officially started yet, it is only fair to send the same information on the presumptive Democratic nominee for President.

President Barak Obama

Issues and record

About

Question for today.  How does the media fit into the Voting Alert Beacons?  Ultimately, the media has a role throughout.  The media has been referred to as the “4^th branch of government.”  It can make a difference.

So, in terms of Beacon #3, couldn’t the media highlight what the candidates say about themselves and ignore (not report) what they say about the other candidates?  Wouldn’t it be a big help if the media continues to find inconsistencies between what the candidates write and what they say?  You bet!  I’d listen to that VERY closely.

Remember, the playground story from yesterday?  In the school newspaper would it be more positive and constructive, indeed more useful, to report what the bully did or report all the good things that the other students did?  What do you think would make the bully go away more quickly?

In my next post, I will discuss "the money."

. . .  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.

All elementary school teachers have helped their students through the process of learning how to play with their fellow students on the playground.  It’s not uncommon for arguments to break out, and from time to time and they can become physical.  These disagreements have many common causes.  There is name calling, not knowing how to share, who got there first, unintentional shoving and bumping, ownership disputes, “me” is more important than you or the rest of you, and more.   To a teacher, all of this is opportunity.

This is where children learn to be good neighbors and not playground bullies.  There are many ways to work through a disagreement with two students including cooling off and calming down, trading spots to encourage empathy-“how do you think they feel?”, talking and negotiation.  The lessons are fundamental to good citizenship.  Lessons like selflessness instead of selfishness, being helpful and not hurtful, talk and negotiation instead of force, and empathy.  With practice, lessons are learned.

However, after learning all of this on the playground in elementary school why do we forget the lessons as adults?  Specifically, in politics why can adults who are well educated and aspiring leaders act like common playground bullies on TV and the rest of the media?  This is an age old question and this will only change through the disciplining process of losing an audience and losing votes.  The ultimate lesson is in losing an election.  What can ordinary citizens do with the right to vote?  How can we become the “elementary school teacher?”

As voters, what are the specific steps we can take to start this process?  It is simple but requires patient application over a long period.  Simply put, we should listen to candidates who talk about themselves and what they propose, and then ignore those candidates who talk about the other candidate and rarely talk about themselves.  Candidates should focus on telling their own story to the voters not distorting the story of the other person.  What a candidate says about their plan and themselves is important to us as voters.  What they say about the other candidate, isn’t.  As voters, we can decide.  We need to follow Voting Alert Beacon #3.

In my next post, I will discuss how the media can support a more positive process and Beacon #3, along with how Beacon #3 can be applied to 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.

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.