Well, the end of year is an allure to sum up the year just ending. Lots of things happened, some good and many bad. Each happening, however, informed us of our surroundings, circumstances and how and why things occur. We learn from these events. We can count our blessings because of what has happened to others and not us, or we can count our blessings that our lives were spared and the 'stuff' of life we collect can be replaced or wasn't of much value anyway. So what? People are important and our relationships to each of them.
So I don't really care much for summarizing the year's events. I would much rather attempt to determine – at least for myself – what is most important and what we all should be striving toward. Yes, I'm a goal person. So writing down goals helps me keep my mind focused on what's important and taking action to bring about good things.
This is a noisy year. Presidential campaigns are underway and they make a lot of noise. The media goes overboard covering the campaigns but instead of making sense of them they really only report the outrageous-ness of each camp. And there is plenty to report on in that vein! Much of it, however, is of little value or relevance.
Let's see if I can explain myself on this point.
First, what the candidates say are likely to be a poor reflection on what they can actually do. Words are not actions. They may predict what the candidate wants to do or see happen, but the words are not power or authority to actually achieve them. Or anything for that matter.
The US Constitution provides authority for the three branches of government to take actions. Each action is proscribed – limited in scope and purpose. The Legislative Branch has powers but it cannot make a court decision. It makes laws for the courts to consider for enforcement, but in the end, the courts also have to decide if the laws themselves are constitutional. So Congress has limitations.
The Executive Branch has specific powers as well. Primarily it is tasked with enforcing the laws made by Congress. It can also enact policies that direct executive agencies under the management of the Executive Branch, to shape and pursue desired policies and policy outcomes. Executive Orders have the force of law, as well, and the President can issue these orders to side step Congress when they don't seem apt to perform as the president wishes. These orders, however, can be undone with a stroke of the pen by the successor President. Such orders, then, are not long lasting normally.
The Judicial Branch considers court cases brought before it and judges the fine points of the law to determine if the court decisions of lower courts are fair, just and in accordance with the law. Constitutional law is the result of these considerations and decisions. Each decision has the potential of making law by the mere fact of defining what is and what is not constitutional. Such decisions make precedents in the law and are followed in the future until Congress changes the law, or the constitution itself is amended by the people of the United States.
The separate powers of the branches form checks and balances on each other and themselves as well. The Constitution was well thought out on these elements.
Knowing the above what is possible for America to do or pursue? And that is our nation, not a bunch of nations or the world community as a whole. Somehow each nation has to make its own decisions and also attempt to work in concert with other nations. Then a host of nations must figure out how to work well with all of the nations to make a lasting difference.
Let us not be myopic and think what's good for America is good for the world. That is not necessarily so. If we are truly honest about this we will readily understand it.
The world will do better as a whole if we all are working together on the big issues and finding lasting solutions to them. So we have based this discussion broadly. With that as prologue, what are the issues the globe (and thus America) should be laboring over? Here's my list. See if you agree or would suggest changes large or small.
1. Safe, healthy environment
a. Pollution free water; access to adequate water supplies for all people
b. Pollution free soil for growth of adequate food supplies for all people
c. Pollution free air for healthy breathing for all people
2. Universal access to education and human development support
a. Preschool and elementary education provided to all children
b. High school and career preparation provided to all students
c. Secondary education for career, professional schooling provided to all students interested and
capable of successful studies
d. Free access to education support to navigate career shifts and changes
3. Universal access to health care and pharmaceuticals
4. Free trade and a level playing field for all markets throughout the globe (and cultures!)
5. Shared global governance structure in which all nuclear weapons are banned and destroyed and
war made obsolete
That's my list. How would you change it?
December 29, 2015
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