Three things I would like to see take place in American politics in my lifetime:
- A black president
- a female president
- the rise of a viable third party that can compete with the two existing platforms in each election cycle
Number one could happen this year and thats exciting. even more exciting is that I happen to think he is better for our country than the other candidate because of his positions on the following matters: technology, education, environment (+energy) and character.
Technology: His use of technology during his campaign shows considerable understanding of the role technology can play in communicating with the public at large. His desire to integrate technology into the big government to foster an more open and transparent platform as well as the feedback implications it will give us, the voters to contribute directly to his administration.ÂÂ
Education: our education system is failing. We are falling behind the rest of the industrialized world in areas of science and math. It is no coincidence that the launch of the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) as the center or hub of physics to outside the US. As we continue to lose ground in key areas of education we will also begin or continue to lose new technology business and jobs to other countries who can better supply the people and ideas that are required to develop and implement them.
Environment (+energy): I believe that these two areas are linked to each other as well as the America economy. The age of total dependence on carbon based fuels will come to an end my lifetime. There are limits on carbon fuels: availability, cost of getting it to market competitively, impact on the environment. We are just beginning to run into these limits and these costs increase the energy market has the option of exploring and developing other sources of energy. I would much rather have my tax money put into supporting the development of new energy businesses, technologies and markets that will reduce Americas impact on the environment than have it used to support antiquated markets and technologies. Don’t get me wrong here, we could not have gotten here with out them, but there are strong signs that it is costing us more and getting us less return on investment to stick with the old, outdated ways.ÂÂ
Character: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all. This was repeated over and over to me while growing up amidst my other four siblings. It helped shape the way I treat others and others opinions. It is my (perhaps naive) belief that we should hold those who seek to serve us in public office (not just president) should at a minimum demonstrate these basic courtesies to those who compete with them for public office. In professional sports we are quick to take offense when ‘professional’ athletes do not conduct themselves in a professional manner with public outcry that leads to fines and suspensions. Why then do we not expect the same of politicians? In this issue either side has clean hands for the three elections I have been eligible to vote in. However the republicans have more visibly demonstrated a lack of respect and ethics in the way they carry out their campaigns. If we truly believe that religion, experience and education are important factors in determining who is qualified for public office I also believe that personal character and accountability is also important. If a person can’t conduct an ethical and moral campaign what does that tell me about the administration you will run?ÂÂ
It is just my opinion but the republicans have bankrupted their morals and ethics much worse than the democrats (who are not innocent by any means) for the sake of winning an election. What they have demonstrated to me is that any type behavior is acceptable as long as they win … that the end justifies the means. This kind of thinking has to change or eventually, on a long enough timeline, our government, our country and our society will go the way of the roman empire.ÂÂ
