TO LEAD A NATION

In his course, TO LEAD A NATION, The Presidency in the Twentieth Century, Robert Dallek discusses the reasons why some of the Presidents of the Twentieth Century (Theodore Roosevelt through Ronald Reagan) rose to greatness, while most of us can’t remember who the others were. 

Mr. Dallek identifies several things that the “great Presidents” consistently score high in.  This list of items includes:  Vision, charisma, pragmatism, consensus building, trust or credibility, and luck.

These are personal attributes that we as voters can use to identify who we might vote for, right?  They are key characteristics we can identify for ourselves by listening to what the candidates say and by knowing a little about their track records.  By the way, aren’t these attributes of “Presidential greatness” also qualities we’d like to see more of in all of our public servants and representatives?

The 2014 elections are around the corner, and the 2016 elections not to long after that.  Maybe we should start asking ourselves how the current crop of public servants and representatives “measure up” using this list. 

NOTE:  This list of presidents examined by Mr. Dallek included:  Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kenney, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan.

After Ronald Reagan, the Presidents have been George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barak Obama

For practice, we can also think about how the Presidents since Ronald Reagan measured up.  What do you think?

. . .  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. 

Candle In The Darkness

The “right to vote” is a fundamental reason for America’s past success and its bright future.  When we vote, we light a candle that burns brightly.  Its light spreads in all directions.  Indeed voting shines a light into the dark corners, and makes them visible for all to see.  When necessary, it is our tool to help us get the American ship back on course, and steer it out of the fog that occasionally descends.

The right to vote is also the “real” America Dream.  It’s not a house, or a job and a certain wage.  All of those things exist in other countries where there are no rights and dreams.  It is a basic act of self determination, and reflects on who we are as a nation.  Voting breaths life into our Constitution.  As a result, our Constitution is also extraordinary. 

In his remarks to the delegates of the United States Senate Youth Program on February 5, 1981, President Ronald Reagan said,

“I had a copy of the Soviet Constitution and I read it with great interest.  And I saw all kinds of terms in there that sounded just exactly like our own:  “Freedom of assembly” and freedom of speech” and so forth.  Of course, they don’t allow them to have those things, but they’re in there in the constitution.  But I began to wonder about the other constitutions --- everyone has one --- and our own, and why so much emphasis on ours.  And then I found out, and the answer was very simple.  That’s why you don’t notice it at first, but it is so great that it tells the entire difference.  All those other constitutions are documents that say that “We, the government, allow the people the following rights,” and our Constitution says “We, the people, allow the government the following privileges and rights.”

We give our permission to government to do the things that it does.  And that’s the whole story of the difference --- why we’re unique in the world and why no matter what our troubles may be, we’re going to overcome all those troubles --- and with your help and support because it’s an ongoing process.”

It seems that the current crop of public servants in Washington DC, and some in the various states have forgotten who they serve.  In fact, many seem to think that it is their job to “rule” instead of “serve.”  In the name of public service, many serve a favorite issue, a financial contributor or a political party and ideology.  As a result, they are driving the country on the left and right shoulders of the road.  The shoulders are bumpy and often extreme.  Either side insists that they are on the correct side of every issue.  In fact, neither side, left or right, is on the correct side.

So, it’s time to find new drivers who will drive us down the smooth middle of the road.  That time of decision is coming soon.  Hopefully, after the election in November 2014, the ride will start to even out.  For us as voters, the only important thing to do is for ALL of us to vote.  It won’t matter how each of us votes if we ALL vote.  The genius of America and the American Dream will shine once more.

. . .  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 Vision

Following is a "re-post" from last September.  Given the current failure of our elected representatives in Washington DC, and the need for us as voters to focus on electing new public servants, this vision below seems like a great place to start.  Remember, the next election opportunity is now less than a year away in November 2014.

Recently I was talking with a friend who had seen my Voting Alert Beacons blog, and they weren’t sure what it was about.  Why are you writing it, they asked?  As we talked more, I showed them the “tab” which contained the vision, and described how there were simple things an individual citizen could do to make their vote more effective.  All of these “simple things” are positive in spirit and designed to call forward the best in our elected public servants, and the best in America as a nation.

Then they asked whether I seriously thought enough citizens would take these simple steps.  We talked about Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.  We talked about the “60’s” and how citizens can come together in ways not thought possible to do things that seem impossible.  While it is only the beginning, we should not be discouraged.  As you can see in the blog “tab” or here in this post, it is now only a vision, but it is the first most important step.

I have a small consulting company called Wormhole Consulting, LLC in which we always begin engagements and challenges with, “What we have the vision to see, we can find a way to be.”  In my experience, the most difficult step is always the first step.  We must first see, and find the vision.

Now read below and review.  The most difficult first step has been taken.

Vision for VOTING ALERT BEACONS

By the Presidential election of 2016, and continuing thereafter, reach a 95% voter turnout thereby realizing the genius of our combined American intelligence, and giving rise to a new higher standard of civil service and servant leadership.  Without negative campaigning, and the influence of money and polls, elections will become events of national renewal.  Let us strike the bell beginning a new period of enlightenment in the American democracy that will ring for millennia to come.  We can renew and fulfill the original American Dream, the right to vote, for all her citizens, and once again let America shine as a beacon for the world.


The day after the 2016 election, the media will report the following:

• 95% of eligible voters cast ballots
• All candidates for President created visions and offered them to America
• For the first time in American memory, the new President leads with a vision of success that looks 25 years into the future
• The new President was elected by 75% of the votes cast giving their vision a mandate

. . .  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. 

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. 

The Voting Alert Beacons Vision

Recently I was talking with a friend who had seen my Voting Alert Beacons blog, and they weren’t sure what it was about.  Why are you writing it, they asked?  As we talked more, I showed them the “tab” which contained the vision, and described how there were simple things an individual citizen could do to make their vote more effective.  All of these “simple things” are positive in spirit and designed to call forward the best in our elected public servants, and the best in America as a nation.

Then they asked whether I seriously thought enough citizens would take these simple steps.  We talked about Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.  We talked about the “60’s” and how citizens can come together in ways not thought possible to do things that seem impossible.  While it is only the beginning, we should not be discouraged.  As you can see in the blog “tab” or here in this post, it is now only a vision, but it is the first most important step.

I have a small consulting company called WormholeConsulting, LLC in which we always begin engagements and challenges with, “What we have the vision to see, we can find a way to be.”  In my experience, the most difficult step is always the first step.  We must first see, and find the vision.

Now read below and review.  The most difficult first step has been taken.

Vision for VOTING ALERT BEACONS

By the Presidential election of 2016, and continuing thereafter, reach a 95% voter turnout thereby realizing the genius of our combined American intelligence, and giving rise to a new higher standard of civil service and servant leadership.  Without negative campaigning, and the influence of money and polls, elections will become events of national renewal.  Let us strike the bell beginning a new period of enlightenment in the American democracy that will ring for millennia to come.  We can renew and fulfill the original American Dream, the right to vote, for all her citizens, and once again let America shine as a beacon for the world.


The day after the 2016 election, the media will report the following:

• 95% of eligible voters cast ballots
• All candidates for President created visions and offered them to America
• For the first time in American memory, the new President leads with a vision of success that looks 25 years into the future
• The new President was elected by 75% of the votes cast giving their vision a mandate

. . .  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. 

IF IT QUACKS LIKE A DUCK AND WALKS LIKE A DUCK, WHAT IS IT? CORRUPTION?

In other countries, both rich and poor, developed and underdeveloped, we shake our heads at the corruption we think we see.  We are critical, as we should be anywhere, that we see money exchanged directly with the influencer.  We call these bribes and are thankful that such things don’t happen or are very rare in America.  Or, do they, sort of?

Now consider this …

• Corporations, unions, lobbyists, special interest groups of all kinds make very large campaign contributions to candidates.
• For many years now, Presidents have made appointments to important government posts at home and abroad in considerations for campaign funds donated and favors given.
• Elected public servants receive as compensation salaries that are above the private sector for similar work and responsibilities, gold plated health insurance, budgets for overly large staff, “investigative” trips that are of little value to taxpayers, but quite enjoyable to the elected public servant and their families, and the age old “franking” privilege with the post office.
• In terribly abusive cases, elected public servants exchange power for sexual favors and break the law.

These are just a few examples where the people we elect to lead us give away their influence and the power of their positions in exchange for cash and perks.  I realize the money rarely flows directly to their personal bank accounts, and instead legally goes to huge campaign funds, but they enjoy the benefits just the same.

Over the years, well meaning senators and representatives, along with the President at the time have tried to change our written laws to reform our political system, but any restrictions are unconstitutional as they should be.  Then how do we fix this?

Beacon #5:  THE MONEY

The remedy is simple and its application is constitutional and absolute.  We vote for candidates who only accept money from individual citizens.  Furthermore, we vote for those candidates with the smallest average citizen contributions.  

Beacon #6:  ALL VOTE and Vision for VOTING ALERT BEACONS

It’s important, however, that we ALL VOTE.  If 95% of us vote using this method, many things will change for the better.

. . .  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. 

Just Vote Your Feelings!

• When you grow tired of the childish behavior of our national leaders, just vote your feelings.
• When you’re fed up with the whole thing, don’t sit at home, just vote your feelings.
• When you’re tired of people who think working in Congress or any of the state legislatures is a career, remind them it isn’t.  Impose your own term limit on them by just voting your feelings.
• When campaign yard signs get on your nerves as an intrusion to what is a personal matter, and a private consideration, just vote your feelings.
• When campaigns make you sick to your stomach, and you just want to run away, instead of feeling a sense of opportunity and optimism, just vote your feelings.
• When you see the BOZO Principle (see the 7-4-13 post) in operation at all levels of state and federal government, just vote your feelings.
• When you must balance your checkbook, but it seems like the politicians never knew how, just vote your feelings.
• When there doesn’t seem to be a leader anywhere, find another average citizen (or you) to lead knowing they will do much better than your average politician, and just vote your feelings.
• When it’s hard to remember and know that America’s best days are still ahead, just vote your feelings.
• When you think the government (at any level) believes that it’s in charge, not the voters, then just vote your feelings.
• … and on and on and on and on, just vote your feelings.

Next Steps

Now look again at Voting Alert Beacons #6 and #7 to remind yourself what your responsibilities as a citizen are, and to remember that a secret personal vote is extremely effective.  Remember that you’re smart and you can trust your vote with your feelings.   Resolve to do your part in changing a voter turnout of 61.8% in 2012 (as reported by the Census Bureau) to a turnout of at least 95% in the next election, and all the elections that follow.

Then, just vote your feelings!

. . .  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.