Here’s What the Election Should Be About

The country is frustrated across the board with the state of affairs in the land. Before we address their frustrations, however, let’s try to list what’s working in America.

1. Air pollution is declining; EPA efforts and voluntary efforts of companies and citizens are having an effect
2. Soil pollution is declining; again, EPA efforts and voluntary action by ordinary citizens is cleaning up our environment
3. Water pollution is declining as well; same reasons – EPA regulations and voluntary initiatives by we the citizens
4. Americans are creative and artistic. Their graphic designs, art, engineering and inventiveness is extraordinary
5. Small business formation continues to happen and expand in major numbers
6. Diversity among entrepreneurs is rich with women, ethnic and age representation
7. Interest rates are low and affordable
8. Individual merit and productivity is rewarded throughout our national economy (well with some major exceptions regarding unequal pay for women!)
9. Democracy, although sometimes faulted, is healthy in the main at all levels of government
10. Education of high quality is available for those who want it and can handle it
11. We care about our elderly, our disabled and our poor
12. We also care about our children and very young; they get the attention they need for the most part
13. We have ample supplies of goods, services, raw materials and energy for our needs; and all are affordable, accessible for most Americans
14. Standard of living is high for most of our citizens
15. Volunteerism is hugely evident and one of the mainstays of American culture
16. Safety of the public is well regulated and protected; there are concerns in this area in various cities and regions, but mostly things are quite good and reliable for most of our citizenry
17. The economy is strong but could use some strengthening so all people have access to a high standard of living
18. Health care is broadly available and accessible to most Americans
19. America has much potential to expand upon: productivity, investment, energy, education, invention and creativity
20. American military preparedness is excellent and reliable to guarantee safety and pursuit of happiness by all Americans 

Now here are some items we should be focusing our attention and energy on:

1. Energy independence from the rest of the global community. This will take large investment by government and private parties to invent our way into a vast new future of energy creation and efficient use; we should not be dependent upon any external energy source
2. Education renewal. Our system of public education has not been allowed to renew itself by knowledgeable professionals. Ideologues in the political system continue to disrupt how education is used and delivered. This interference needs to be removed. Doing so will enable the nation to invent entirely new methods of educating its people of all ages and prepare them for life-long learning so they are adaptable to change, multiple careers, and maximum enjoyment of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
3. Infrastructure renewal and expansion. To support new energy options and delivery our electrical grid needs replacement and re-design for safety and defensibility from external attacks either electronic or military. The renewed, replaced and expanded infrastructure of water, waste water, storm water, dams, rivers, roadways, bridges and other large-scale installations will support expanded economic activity, a growing population and higher standards of living for all to enjoy
4. Revamping our political process. Democracy in America may be worthy of celebration but it is worn and suffering from abuse and sagging public civility. If our elected officials cannot get along with one another then there is something wrong both with them and the body politic. Open rich discussion of issues is needed in order to decide how to manage them and move confidently into the future. This is true of organizations, employers, non-profits and governments. All of us benefit from this honest and humane method of governing our behavior and society. It can be done without rude, nasty attacks. 

The 2016 Presidential and Congressional Election should be focused on the four issues immediately above. We have much to be thankful for in our nation and we all helped to make it possible. Now it will take all of us working together to continue improving our society’s trajectory well into the future. It always has required all of us. It still does.

Be ready to tone down your speech and written comments. Be ready to share your constructive ideas and solutions. Be willing, also, to work humbly with others in group and organizational settings to meet our needs. This is a team effort not an individual or ego-centric process.

Now let us begin!

June 6, 2016