First Post in this Series - Determine the necessity of change
I was watching a panel of ‘experts’ on TV after the results of the Iowa vote were known, discussing various candidates and their chances of becoming President of the United States. One of the panelists said something to this effect: “Huckabee does not have the money or the team to be able to launch a winning campaign in the bigger states like California, New York, , Texas and so forth, and therefore, cannot win the election”. All the panelists seemed to agree with that statement. Since that time, similar statements have been voiced in the media by newscast personnel about various candidates as the Primaries continue.
STOP - FREEZE THAT FRAME!
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? DOES THIS STRIKE YOU AS THERE BEING SOMETHING WRONG WITH OUR ELECTION PROCESS?
It would seem that the reason to have an election should be for the purpose of achieving the election of the most highly qualified man or woman that we possibly can for any given job.
Put another way, the desired results for having an election? Be it for the President of the United States, for a seat in the hallowed halls of the United States Congress or for any other elected position, we the taxpayers should hire through the election process, the most outstanding men and women whom are willing to step forward and serve our Country.
If the process to do this is such that it hampers, discourages or even eliminates many highly qualified people from participating, this is wrong and something needs to be fixed.
THE PROCESS and GOAL OF THIS PUBLICATION
Let me ask you something - have you ever been involved in a conversation with one or more people and the discussion revolved around what you perceive to be a really important issue? How many times when this has happened and you all end up being in agreement and knowing that a change should take place, but that is the end of it - everybody moves on? I think we have all been through that mental exercise probably more times then we care to admit.
That brings us to the purpose of this Website. We want to zero in on what the vast majority of Americans feel are critical issues, discuss them here, reach a consensus if we can, and then seek reasonable and agreed upon solutions. From there we will move into the action phase, if the majority are in agreement. Since this is an election year and since we felt strongly about the need for an adjustment of our election process, it was decided to make this our first issue we would tackle. If by your vote you are in agreement with this direction, we will press forward in developing solutions for bringing the U.S. Election Process into the 21st Century.
This is far more then just a platform for opinions to be posted on a given subject. This might be called a “get it done” platform. Its about realizing solutions to problems or issues which will keep our beloved America, a strong, vibrant Nation guided by Christian values while maintaining separation of Church and State - as it was founded - as it has been - as it is - as it must be in the future.
GIGANTIC BUT EXCITING CHALLENGE
Reaching a consensus of a very large majority of voters on any given subject is a gigantic task, but this is exactly the mission we are embarking on. Without trying to be naive, without being foolish enough to not recognize the magnitude of attempting to gather most of the taxpayers into one camp so that a change in the election process can happen, we need to: TAKE OFF OUR POLITICAL CAPS AND GET TO WORK - WE NEED TO TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY FROM THE PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS.
If there ever was a subject about CHANGE - this is it. Yes, I know, some of you will say “I hate change”, but put your ‘positive cap’ on and embrace these potential changes as being symbols of your caring about this and future generations and caring about our great Country. As a team, which we definitely are, a team that represents the make up of 80% of the population of the United States, we will cause these very positive changes to take place.
STAY FOCUSED - EYES ON THE TARGET
In this issue, we are not going to try and put forth any specific thoughts we have regarding a possible direction(s) this first issue should take. First, it is important to determine if most would agree that we do need to make some adjustment to the Election Process. That being the case we can start to move the process forward - carefully. It is also important that we stay focused and not wander into adjacent areas of concern at this point - one issue at a time. It will be very tempting to do just that, however, our eyes for now must stay on this target - ADJUST THE ELECTION PROCESS?
By the way, did you know that the Electoral College was born when our first president of the U. S. (George Washington)was elected over two hundred years ago, and hasn’t been changed since. I mention this only because one of the solutions to this process will undoubtedly be to address the Electoral College.
A CALL TO ACTION
There are several things you are encouraged to do:
1)Go to the ‘About’ link at the top of the Post so you get a little insight as to who we are.
2)Register by merely clicking ‘comments’ below and post your comment or question in the box, this is very important as we need your inputs. Plus you do not want to miss out on the future Posts that will be jam packed with exciting and very positive information, much of which will be coming from you when you put in your comments and questions.
Rip Davis said: “Thank You for giving us a forum to discuss positive ways to help bring this country (back) together.
I’ve been wanting to express views on critical issues such as the current dysfunctional elections process, and sharing others ideas toward solutions to problems or issues, from a segment of America (“the middle class”) that is usually ignored by our current political Representatives”. Read the his whole comments when you go to register your thoughts on this subject. ”
Ed Piegza said: “Regarding the election process, that is a very complex subject. I do not believe we should have campaign finance laws, such as we now have. In a free society, we should be able to spend our money in ways that we want, not be bound by government laws which infringe on free speech.”
When you put in your comments, if you wouldn’t mind being quoted in future issues, just put your first name and the state you are from. If you would liked to be recognized for a specific quote, also put your last name and city you are from.
3) If you are okay with this, will you please pass this Post along to your email addresses - word of mouth will help this spread faster than anything else we can do. Just ask them to go to www.desire-accomplished.com - IT’S IMPORTANT. Lets get this Post to the 116 million taxpayers in the United States and get their inputs. Thanks and we’ll be along shortly with another exciting Post.
THE VOTE
Go to the upper right hand corner of the Post and register your vote to this Issues question. Again, its very important that we get your input.
Thank you for your participation, but don’t leave us quite yet. There are two books we would like to have you check out - they are great reading and also have a lot of pertinent thoughts that dovetail with today’s Post.
BOOK NO. ONE
A MORE PERFECT CONSTITUTION
Here is an interesting quote from Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty from his review of this relatively new publication
“There is little doubt in my mind that the office of the president is due for a serious makeover. More important, in my opinion, is the structure of the Congress. I don’t believe that the Founding Fathers intended the creation of a class of “professional politicians” who would be elected to the House or the Senate and then spend their entire life occupying a chair there, spending the bulk of their time running for reelection, becoming pawns of special interest groups, and enriching themselves at the public trough.”
You can read this whole review at Amazon.com, it is a great read all in itself.
THIS MIGHT BE CLOSE TO BEING CALLED ‘A MUST READ’
Even though you may not agree with everything, you will find it very thought provoking, it pushes one into expanding your own thought processes and truly makes you step out of the box (THIS IS CERTAINLY WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IN DECIDING THIS POST QUESTION - DOES THE U.S. ELECTION PROCESS NEED ADJUSTING?)
Dr. Larry Sabato, America’s best known political scientist, puts forth a road map on how to bring the U.S. Constitution into the St Century. “The Founding Fathers never intended for the Constitution to be timeless”. “No society can make a perpetual constitution, or even a perpetual law. The earth belongs to the living generation” - Thomas Jefferson”
This book will ask readers to set aside their own political loyalties, to look past the current ‘values’ debates and hot-button issues, to consider this very real possibility; that the failure of the nation to update the Constitution and the structure of government it originally bequeathed to us is at the root of our current political dysfunction.” - Larry J. Sabato (Author of A More Perfect Constitution)
Did you know that a mere 17% of the voters elect a majority of senators? “Americans feel increasingly disconnected from the political process - indeed, half or more don’t even vote in many elections. All of this would have horrified Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and the other founders.” Dr. Larry Sabato presents twenty three creative and dynamic proposals to reinvigorate American governance. Just click on the picture to order.
AS WE HEAD TOWARD A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, NO BOOK IS MORE RELEVANT OR SIGNIFICANT. *************************************************************************
BOOK NO.TWO
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Although this book is more political in nature and there are things said that not everybody will agree with, non the less, Laura Ingram, gives you her thoughts straight from the shoulder and it is packed full of thought stimulating actions.
From her book “If you are like most Americans, you’re fed up with sell-out politicians who won’t defend our borders; a Hollywood that peddles profanity, pornograhpy and Al Gore and Rosie O’Donnell as entertainment; schools that teach our kids more about condoms than about the Constitution and snooty judges that think it is there job to legislate for us. But there is a way to stop this madness and return the power to the people where it belongs.
Here are a few comments that Craig Matteson, a professional book reviewer had to say (His whole review can be seen at Amazon.com): “She (Laura) is a person who is passionate about traditional moral values, protecting the family, enforcing the country’s laws and our Constitution, and cleaning up the culture from what she calls its pornification.
In her book she pleads with everyday conservatives to stand up and speak up about the things that we see as going dead wrong with our culture. Laura also expresses her faith in God and her gratitude for the second chance she has gotten in surviving her bout with cancer. For me, hearing expressions of faith and gratitude are among the most beautiful uses of the human mind, voice and heart..”
You can order her book by just clicking on her picture.
Until next time, make it a great day no matter what your circumstances, you owe it to yourself and those around you to do just that!
By the way - you might want to go to the top of this Post and check out some really great ‘Life’s Betterment’ Products.
Russ Brown
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4 Comments
“SOMETHING WRONG WITH OUR ELECTION PROCESS?”
What “Process”? The dictionary defines “Process” as a systematic series of actions directed to some end.
From my viewpoint, I don’t see a “process” – I see a disorganized series of State preliminary balloting for electors carried out under the watchful eyes of the Democrat and Republican State and National Committees.
Who Selects the Electors?
“The process for selecting electors varies throughout the United States. Generally, the political parties nominate electors at their State party conventions or by a vote of the party’s central committee in each State. Electors are often selected to recognize their service and dedication to their political party. They may be State-elected officials, party leaders, or persons who have a personal or political affiliation with the Presidential candidate. Then the voters in each State choose the electors on the day of the general election. The electors’ names may or may not appear on the ballot below the name of the candidates running for President, depending on the procedure in each State”. That’s a “Process”??? Taken from: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/selects.html
In just the past couple of weeks we’ve seen on the news that:
1). Some States Electors have been disavowed because the dates of their Primary Elections were changed.
2). In some States, Independents are not allowed to vote at all (unless an Independent is listed on the ballot).
And when we finally get to (what we think is a) One Person – One Vote Presidential Election, We find that our votes don’t really count after all. Say What?
The Electoral College is technically responsible for electing the President. Each state has a particular number of electors, their numbers determined by how many senators and representatives a state has. On election day, as presidential candidates “win” a particular state by accumulating the most votes, they are awarded the number of delegates from that state. The candidate with the highest number of electoral votes (NOT POPULAR VOTES) wins the election. In December, the electors hold their own election to vote formally for President. The winning candidate will have at least half the electoral votes – or 270 delegates.
But Wait – What about:
Fifteen candidates (three of them twice) have become president of the United States with a popular vote less than 50% of the total cast. It should be noted, however, that in elections before 1872, presidential electors were not chosen by popular vote in all states. Adams’s election in 1824 was by the House of Representatives, which chose him over Jackson, who had a plurality of both electoral and popular votes, but not a majority in the electoral college. Besides Jackson in 1824, only three other candidates receiving the largest popular vote have failed to gain a majority in the electoral college–Samuel J. Tilden (D) in 1876, Grover Cleveland (D) in 1888, and Al Gore (D) in 2000. The “minority” presidents are listed below. In 2000, following a rats nets mess in Florida (Where the Republican Secretary of State disagreed with the balloting outcome of the general election), the matter was sent to the United States Supreme Court for a decision, and they APPOINTED a President.
I certainly don’t see that my vote counts toward the election of an individual for President. Current elections are farces dictated by Corporate and Special Interest Contributions.
The only way I see us getting back to “One Person – One Vote” is to have some small increment of money reserved (from our taxable contributions) for Presidential elections. Each candidate gets the same amount of money to campaign with. Popular vote wins rather than an Oil, Pharmaceutical, or Health Insurance Company, etc., swaying the elections process.
Thank You for giving us a forum to discuss positive ways to help bring this country (back) together.
I’ve been wanting to express views on critical issues such as the current dysfunctional elections process, and sharing others ideas toward solutions to problems or issues, from a segment of America (“the middle class”) that is usually ignored by our current political Representatives.
Your segment on Team America is also well timed for input. I consider myself close to an “average” American. My ancestors came to this country from Scotland and Germany before the American Revolution and have fought in just about every conflict since, to protect the freedoms outlined in our Constitution. I support controlled immigration, and pretty much ignored issues concerning illegal aliens (from Asia, Africa, South America, Russia, etc.). That is, until some of our friends from South of the border (legal and illegal) began to DEMAND liberties that they have not earned. How dare they march by the thousands through our streets waving their flag, (and carrying ours upside down) demanding they be given full amnesty, demanding our teachers teach in their language, that our National Anthem be sung in their language, and on, and on. I can only imagine how we would be treated in their country(s) if we demonstrated like they have here.
I also get a mite hot under the collar when “bleeding heart liberals” together with their ACLU buddies, strip us of things that we have supported in this country for several hundred years. 95% of Americans want “In God We Trust” on our currency. 95% want our flag displayed in school classrooms and public facilities. 95% enjoy religious freedoms and the display of such (whether Christian, Jewish, whatever) during the traditional holidays. Recently we see less than 5% of our population demanding that Christmas trees now be advertised as “Holiday trees”, less than 5% are demanding that displays of our Constitution and Biblical symbols, be removed from all public places. Probably less than 1% demand that all mention of God be removed from our children’s schooling.
Where did “Majority Rules” go to? For myself, I’m darn tired of the 1-5% minority population telling my family what we can and cannot do. I also think we should elect our leaders the old fashioned way. One person - One vote instead of the shameful misrepresentation(s) presented by the Electoral College method of choosing our leaders.
I am the son of a poor polish immigrant, my father came to this country in 1912. I believe at that time the US had an open border policy. That was fine then, because we did not have an “entitlement” society as we have now. As long as we have that type of society we must control our borders and enforce the laws of the US.
Regarding the election process, that is a very complex subject. I do not believe we should have campaign finance laws, such as we now have. In a free society, we should be able to spend our money in ways that we want, not be bound by government laws which infringe on free speech.
Someone like Romney needs to be able to spend to gain name recognition. Professional politicians have spent a lifetime obtaining national reputations on our taxpayer expense. To level the playing field, one must allow for one to spend to gain that regional or national exposure.
Re the electoral process, I believe it is a wise one. It give the smaller states some say in the matters of a national election. The country was not set up to be a direct democracy. It is a republic. Possibly some minor tweaking could be done in the electoral college, such as splitting the electoral votes of a state in direct proportion to the vote cast in that state as opposed to the winner take all as is the case currently.
Our US election process needs to change in order to become a fair representation of the American people. Evidence of decline of a democratic outcome, as a result of our present election process calls for the following:
1)A limit to a specified amount of money that is allowed to be spent by each candidate’s campaign.
2)Election is decided by the individual citizen’s vote.
The approach of this website is important as I believe it will take a grassroots movement to bring about the changes.
The choice of participation has the potential to help our country become a strong and empowered democracy.