I have had trouble sleeping. I often lay awake thinking about the various issues currently facing our nation and, more importantly, the issues which our children and grandchildren will inherit from us. When I see toddlers at restaurants, I wonder what America will be like for them when they are approaching 50 years old. I have concerns that if we do not take action, they will not enjoy the freedoms we have enjoyed. I have finally concluded that the only solution is the creation of a third political party. The world has changed dramatically over the last 30 years and our political process has become less effective in responding to the issues we face. As the need for cooperation and strong leadership has increased due to global events and economies, the politicians have become more distant from the voters. I am saddened that my generation and the generation ahead of me have not stepped forward to address the serious issues facing our country. Instead we leave the problems of energy, environment, deficits and security for our children and grandchildren to solve.
- Just 10 years ago, I felt comfortable with the statement: "Nuclear weapons will never again threaten the world." That's no longer true.
- Just 25 years ago, taxes were on the decline and there were significant efforts to cut and balance the federal budget. Today we have budget deficits and politicians calling for more taxes.
- Hundreds of years ago beheading enemies was deemed too cruel. Today, there is a beheading a week which we can witness on the internet.
- Thirty years ago we had an energy crisis; today we have even more serious energy issues.
- College tuition and medical costs are spiraling out of control.
- Social issues have divided our nation and thwarted the spirit of cooperation.
- Natural disasters lead to exaggerations, finger-pointing and demands for government handouts.
- Political parties are isolated, non-responsive and more concerned about blaming than solving.
- The American people no longer believe their government leaders are truthful.
- Unelected judges have replaced legislators as policymakers.
- The mainstream media has become unreliable in their reporting of news; such enterprises knowingly spread incorrect or misleading information and outright lies.
- Colleges have strayed from a purpose of teaching and training our young adults for professions to a purpose of directed social engineering.
- Immigration policies have not been coordinated with the other social and economic issues facing America.
- Nobody knows what to believe on environmental issues because science has become politicized.
In short, we are faced with a leadership crisis in America. Many politicians/government officials seem unwilling to make the "tough" decisions. They do what is popular or politically advantageous in the moment rather than what is best for our country. Apart from technological successes, I am hard-pressed to find progress in our society over the last 20 years. Yet, incumbents from both parties are consistently re-elected. How can an incumbent who has been in office for 8 or 10 years avoid being held accountable at the polls; especially when both major parties have been in power during that time? I believe that we are "settling" for the limited choices offered under the two-party system.
With all that said I believe we can turn things around with a new approach to politics in America - positive, practical solutions!!! I am confident in American know-how, the American spirit and the American people.
Many will feel threatened by an open discussion of these ideas. Many will label the ideas as crazy or extreme. Others will claim the issues are impossible to resolve or just "too big." My sole objective is to leave a country filled with "freedom and opportunities for all" to the generations which follow.
Unfortunately, political debate has become a lost art. The people need to rise up and demand changes from our leaders at all levels of government, and our leaders must "think outside the box" and work together to solve problems. The name-calling and finger-pointing must stop.
I make the following request of those who are considering these issues: "Please do not expect to agree with every point." However, I also request that people take the time to get past your usual reactions, get past the emotional reactions, think outside your usual political boundaries and consider whether the solutions proposed have merit. There are no hidden agendas or special interests. Let's begin the process of solving problems by offering a new approach to American politics.