REVISED FOR SOCIAL MEDIA

Below is the revised Voting Alert Beacons page for Media Responsibilities.  I've added a section for Social Media that comments on the tremendous power it has to bring humankind together like has never been possible before.  However, it can also divide us to the point where we don't recognized each other.  I hope you will note my revisions and follow them to a positive destination.  Thank you!

MEDIA RESPONSIBILITIES

The Media has often been called the "Fourth Branch of Government."  When the other three branches of government can't or won't come forward with the truth, the Media often has.   This “honesty” mechanism was designed into the US Constitution by the writers.  

 James Madison said, “A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both.”  If George Washington is considered father of our nation, then James Madison is regarded as father of the constitution, and he was the First Amendment author.

The media is critical to keeping our government honest, and in helping us elect and refresh government through our right to vote.  In the exercise of their personal First Amendment  rights, when journalists and commentators are expressing an opinion, they should clearly declare their bias.  Otherwise, they, or media outlets and sources, should remain unbiased and dedicated to fulfilling their important role in our democracy.

SOCIAL MEDIA IS WONDERFUL, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE TOXIC!

While social media is a wonderful development reflective of the advance of humankind, and a force that brings us closer together over miles and time, it can also drive us apart to the point that we know longer recognize each other.

DO have positive discussions with your friends and neighbors using private messaging.

DO use the ability to create groups and forums to focus on national and local challenges to find positive solutions.

DO create your own posts, or share posts from others, that focus on positive remedies and fulfilling our responsibilities.  Our rights will follow, and be preserved, as a natural result.  Leading with "our rights or my rights" is selfish and counterproductive.  Our rights were guaranteed a long time ago in our countries founding documents.

WHAT THE MEDIA SHOULD DO TO FULFILL THEIR ROLE?

• Publish only what candidates say about THEMSELVES.  See Voting Alert Beacon #3.
• Don't publish what they say about OTHERS.  See Voting Alert Beacon #3.
• Publish regular reports of candidate campaign contributions, and positively highlight the small contributions while negatively highlighting large contributions.  Especially, shine a negative highlight on pacts, special interests, and other "non-human" contributions.  See Voting Alert Beacon #5.
• On interview programs, invite only regular citizens for comment, not political pundits or commentators.
• Stop taking and publishing polls.  See Voting Alert Beacon #4.

SHOULD NOT DO

Media SHOULD NOT endorse candidates or take positions on the issues.  If and when they do, they change from fulfilling their special role and responsibility as the “Fourth Branch of Government” to becoming JUST ANOTHER SPECIAL INTEREST.

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.  

CONTRIBUTION vs. COMMITMENT

When I was a young boy, I remember my father telling me a story about the difference between contribution and commitment.  I know many parents have told this story to their children.  Quite possibly yours told you too. 

I don’t recall if we were actually at breakfast when he told it, but growing up eggs and bacon were a standard breakfast.  He said something like the following:

“Dave, it’s important for you to know the difference between contributions and commitments.  I hope in your life you make many of both to our world.  Think of them this way.  When we have eggs and bacon at breakfast, look at your plate and know that the chicken made a contribution and a pig made a commitment.  Son, as your father, I hope you do both, but if you are ever called to making a commitment, I hope you will.”

That story has been with me all these many years.  Here’s what I think it means now.

We make a contribution when we: Pay taxes, do some public service, obey the law, support our democracy, if we protest something — we do it peacefully, and always look for a chance to help someone in need.

We make a commitment if we:  Serve or have served in the military, go daily to our duties as a police officer or fireman, make the ultimate sacrifice and give our life in the afore mentioned, or WHEN WE VOTE.

As with the pig, commitment sometimes rises to the level of sacrifice of one’s life.  Many Americans before us have paid this highest price.  

ARE YOU PREPARED TO PAY THE HIGHEST PRICE IF CALLED UPON?  IF NOT, WHY NOT?

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.  

WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?

It’s approaching 72 hours since the terrible events in Dallas last Friday evening.  As I’ve watched and listened to all kinds of discussion, I keep asking myself, “Where is the President?”  Leaders naturally look for opportunities to lead.  When they find them, they take action.  While it sits squarely on the tragic events in Dallas, there is a HUGE opportunity now to take America forward in a new positive direction.  NOW ACTION IS REQUIRED!

OK, Mr. President, I volunteer.  I’m happy to play the “if I was President game.”  Here’s what I would have done in a national address on Saturday, the next day.

What I would say …

STEP 1:  APPRECIATE:  Recognize with true empathy how all Americans are suffering from the senseless killings that have come to us.  Take the BLACK LIVES MATTER mantra to a higher level.  ALL LIVES MATTER! 

STEP 2:  AFFIRM:  America is a nation of laws and all of us (WE THE PEOPLE) live under the same constitution.  We all enjoy the same rights and bear the same responsibilities.  

“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!”

STEP 3:  MOVE FORWARD IMMEDIATELY:  Create a priority task force lead by the Vice President and to include the Attorney General, the FBI director, Congressional Majority and Minority leaders, and police chiefs from our largest cities.  The task force will report back in thirty days on the following three questions —

• Body cameras for every police officer.  
• Deadly crime in America.  Where is it, and what are best practices for stopping it?
• Rebuilding the bonds between the police and the communities they serve in America. 

STEP 4:  LASTLY —

“As President, I commit to holding weekly press conferences and speaking regularly on these issues for the next thirty days as the task force does it’s work.  Following the task force report, and within one week of its delivery to me, I will appear at a Joint Meeting of Congress, and before the American people, to lay out my plan for a better America in the areas these issues touch.  Everyone deserves fair treatment under our laws IN FACT, and they should FEEL IN THEIR HEARTS that they receive it.  We’ll talk again soon.  I promise!  God bless America!”

OK, that’s what I would say and do.

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.  

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.  

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.  

VOTING ALERT BEACON #3: LISTEN / IGNORE and LOOKING BACK TO LEARN

In January of this year, I wrote a post on my Facebook Timeline about a vision that looked backward.  I know that sounds conflicted, but the purpose was to think about what might have made 2015 a better year for America, and thus help us better soar in 2016.  There are two things I’d like you to consider about what I wrote below.  Especially, because this is a Presidential election year.  First, the words express my positive and optimistic vision for several of the key 2015 happenings.  Second, read my words not for whether you agree or disagree with my view on the issues contained, but see and listen for an optimistic vision for the future.  This is exactly what I advocate in VOTING ALERT BEACON #3:  LISTEN / IGNORE.  Now, read below.  

Remember to ignore candidates that don’t express a positive vision for American.  Listen for the leader who expresses a vision that is positive and one that unites.

WHY IS VISION IMPORTANT?

Vision is important because issues, challenges, and problems divide. VISION UNITES! It provides a rallying point. It is a picture of future success, and answers the question of why people should strive to create that future picture. In the process, vision serves three important purposes: 

1) it clarifies the direction of effort and movement, 

2) it motivates groups or teams to take action in the right direction, and 

3) it coordinates the actions of diverse people with diverse skills and personalities. 

For every contemplation that a team has, it can ask one simple question? Is what we propose to do in line with the vision? Does it serve the vision? 

LOOKING BACK TO LEARN

Here’s what I wrote in my Facebook Timeline post:

Now, as the first week of 2016 comes to an end, America and the President have been on my mind. While I continue to believe that America’s future is bright, I also think there are words and actions that the President should have said or taken, but didn’t. 

Here’s the list with the new words / actions that I believe would have made 2015 an entirely different year for the better. I believe America was ready to hear these words.

FERGUSON:

Press Conference: 

“America is a nation of laws. ALL LIVES MATTER. No matter what community each of us live in, we should all be thankful for the police and other legal professionals who work 24/7 to enforce our laws and protect us. The death of Michael Brown is tragic for both Michael and the police officer who was involved in the incident. It is also a wakeup call for America. I have directed the Attorney General and the Director of the FBI to begin taking actions which identify where crime is, and how to prevent and stop it wherever it is. Especially, crime related to guns and death. To be effective, federal efforts must work closely, with and support, local law enforcement agencies. In the weeks ahead, I plan to travel the country to meet with law enforcement officials and citizens to insure this happens.”

IMMIGRATION / KATE’S MURDER:

Press Conference Announcement: 

“I’d like to announce that yesterday I gave the needed directions under existing laws to begin effectively sealing our borders and prevent illegal immigration. I also made calls to the leaders of Congress, so that working together, we can enact Kate’s law. After accomplishing these two things, I will continue working with Congress, the governors from the affected states, and the affected agencies to evolve a refreshed immigration system that is friendly to those people who want to legitimately pursue the opportunities that America offers, but prevents those not friendly to America from entering.” 

MARS / CLIMATE CHANGE:

State of the Union Address:

“Tonight I would like to announce that I am setting two national goals. The first goal is to land a team of US astronauts on Mars by 2025. The second goal is to become energy independent as a nation by 2020, and that 50% of our energy needs be fulfilled by renewable energy methods by 2025. I am designating them as first order priorities for our country. They present themselves as tall mountains to climb. However, both goals will create new discoveries and knowledge, focus our education systems, and create new opportunities and jobs. The positive effects of these accomplishments will enrich our nation and the world for decades to come.”

PARIS / ISSIS

Oval Office Address to the Nation (the day of the Paris attacks):

“I just spoke to President Hollande in France to offer our national sympathies in the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks, and to offer our support in the response which President Hollande has said is imminent. Separately, I have directed our military and intelligence leaders to present me, within three days, options for actions that can be taken toward the destruction of ISSIS and radical islamic jihadist organizations wherever we can find them. They are evil, and a blight on one of our planet’s great religions. As a down payment, six hours ago, I authorized the launching of 100 cruise missiles at known ISSIS command and control centers in Raqqa, Syria. I have also suspended, effective immediately, any further withdrawal by our armed forces from positions in the Middle East. Furthermore, next week, I will be traveling to Europe to meet with NATO members and other Middle East Allies so we can coordinate our efforts. I will remain in contact with Congressional leaders and anticipate that I will soon have more to say about all of this in an address to a joint meeting of Congress, and to you the American people. Thank you and God bless America!”

I believe these words and actions would have made a big difference in America and the world, and positively changed the course of history. I believe these are the words of leadership that should have been spoken by the person, who as President, is leading everyone in America.

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.  

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

Dear President Obama,

I have heard and read reports of your efforts to reach out to leaders in Congress concerning the open seat on the US Supreme Court.  In spite of your efforts, it appears that Mr. McConnell and the Republican caucus in the Senate are still determined to wait until the next President takes office, and sends them a nomination.  Apparently, they feel that in choosing a new President, the American people will also be choosing the next nominee for the court.  I can imagine that this fills you with frustration, and yes, while I don’t agree with it, I can also see the map of thinking by a Republican Majority Leader.  It is not without logic, but I’m not sure it serves the country very well.  So, what do you do? 

U.S. Supreme Court

I have an idea about what you can do on this issue.  I believe my idea resonates with both your position as President, and your skills as a constitutional professor and a very capable public speaker.  Frankly, I believe it connects with your passions, and many of your core beliefs as I understand them.  So, what is my idea?

Leave the “fight” behind on filling the open US Supreme Court position, and take the high ground.  Begin a persistent conversation with the America people about the US Constitution, and the US Supreme Court.  In this campaign season, make this your campaign.  Become a professor to the nation on this issue, and these topics.  Calmly remind us of the steps required to fill the open seat, and where responsibility for each step lies.  Resist sarcasm and embrace sincerity.  Through history lessons, remind us what qualifications and attributes the greatest justices brought to the bench.  President Kennedy gave a speech with similar intent on the topic of peace at American University on June 10, 1963.  He was eloquent as I believe you can be.  

Rise above the partisanship and tug of war between the Democratic and Republican parties.  Ignore the special interests.  Focus on helping America find a new justice who will do their part in fair constitutional interpretation, and writing good law.  Then after all of this, you may find that the American people will tell both the Republicans and the Democrats in the Senate that they should consider a nomination by you.  Or, at least you will know that if you are unable to submit a nominee, you have prepared the ground by raising the bar of excellence so that the next President will have to meet a high standard with their nominee.  The American people will require it. 

I know these suggestions and my thoughts are unconventional, but all of us are longing for quiet steady leadership.  If you will give us this leadership, you will be as a  “father to the nation,” and be taking steps which will unite us.  You are clearly a loving husband to First Lady Michelle, and a dedicated father to Sasha and Milia.  So, I believe this role will feel comfortable to you.  By leading in this way, you will be laying the corner stones and building blocks of a great appointment, whoever makes it.  Spend the time with all of us in America to build our expectations for excellence.  Then it’s up to us.  I believe in America as you do, and I don’t think we’ll let you down.

President Obama, great Presidents are remembered for how they lead the country, not their party. Leaders don’t always do what is expected.  That’s why they are leaders.  Do the unexpected.

God bless you and God bless America, 

David W. Wygant

Copyright © 2016 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.