Okay, here is my current take on the Presidential Candidates (the three whom I believe are the main contenders).
If you want to continue our "progress" toward communism, vote for Hillary Clinton.
If you want to throw the dice for a random American outcome (i.e. "who knows where we will land?") or if you favor hostility toward any group of people that is not "white Protestant males," or if you want to take a chance on his idea of a "great America," vote for Donald Trump.
If you would rather work to restore honor and respect to the U.S. Constitution, focus more on uniting our people, and if you believe that our nation should strive for higher moral ground, vote for Evan McMullin.
I know for whom I will be voting.
https://www.evanmcmullin.com/vote_your_conscience?recruiter_id=255864&gclid=CjwKEAjws5zABRDqkoOniLqfywESJACjdoiGIuaqaO9ssxOiPf0WCqpf5kqOm6LC77gGxWivvgf-MhoC_Pjw_wcB
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Monday, April 11, 2016
A Reminder of What It's All About
Do you hear that?
Don't you hear that mournful cry?
The eagle: she's hurt, wounded by the division of her people.
She searches desperately for someone to unite them once again.
Will she succeed?
Will her people unite again as one nation under God?
Many of her people have learned to use their freedom to hurt and make
afraid;
they claim their enumerated rights to make themselves superior to
others.
And others waste their resources living artificial lives of vanity,
while nearby wounded souls struggle to survive.
Her young are no longer taught to fly,
but instead learn to fear, to abase, to disgrace.
She watches sadly as joyful love fades into feud,
leaving the young tossed from house to house according to legal
decrees.
Doesn't it tug at your heart when you see her teardrops fall
as she witnesses another American die at the hands of a fellow citizen
or even by his own hand after giving up on a life made hard by those
who should have cared?
Confused, at a loss, she searches further
for those who'll help unite her people.
for those who'll help unite her people.
Now she’s turned her head, she’s looking straight at us,
waiting, hoping that we’ll give her the nod to say we’ll help.
Can we ignore her plea?
Can we pretend we don’t see?
It will take great effort by you and me.
We will have to change ourselves,
focus less on “me” and more on “we,”
less on agendas and more on the truth,
less on what we want and more on what we should do.
So what will we choose? How do we respond?
She’s waiting, watching for our signal.
Let's make that eagle proud, heal her heart, and help her soar again.
Let’s give her our nod of support.
Then let’s go to work.
America (the eagle) is in our hands!
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
This is only a draft
I still need to add examples and more information.
Check back again for updates.
Donald Trump may be ahead in the Republican race for the presidential candidacy, but that doesn’t guarantee he is the best choice. Let’s look at these principles of unity and see where he seems to stand.
Charity for all
It seems pretty clear from statements Mr. Trump has made that he doesn’t give a strong place to “charity for all.”
He has spoken of banning Muslims from the country. Whether that would be temporary or not, he singled out a whole religious group based on the actions of a small fraction of the group. Islam is the faith of over 1.5 billion people on the planet. The various extremists groups only account for a very small part of that. We could probably find a similar ratio of total Christian population to white supremacists who claim to follow the Bible. It would seem the actions of a few gave Mr. Trump enough justification to ban a group he likely already disfavors.
He speaks of illegal immigrants from Latin America as if they aren’t people worthy of respect and dignity. He could just as well be speaking of animals. His talk sounds like what we could have expected from the slave owners of America’s unsightly past. Again, as with Muslims, it seems he would rather callously turn people away than find ways to help them with their plight while balancing that with our own needs.
Mr. Trump has also repeatedly belittled various women. His attitude toward women seems to suggest either that they are beneath him or their value is mainly to satisfy his own lust.
Seek and share truth
I’m not sure truth has a major place in Mr. Trump’s agenda or his value system. He will probably seek any truth that he believes will further his own causes and goals. But will he seek for truths that could turn out against his own agendas, for the sake truth itself? Will he seek truth that would help him understand others’ viewpoints that might also lead him to change his own viewpoint? Once he discovers truth that might not support his agenda, would he still reveal it? I’m afraid his answers to these would often prove disappointing, depending what he might gain or lose.
If all his extremist talk reflects his true personal feelings and thoughts, then perhaps he does value truth to some degree. But I think while he may have some attitudes that are somewhat like the things he is saying, the extreme levels that he takes them to during this campaign is more likely aimed at the extremes of the right wing people, to get their support, rather that reflecting his true nature. If that is the case, it is evidence of somewhat lower desire to share truth. In his book, The Art of the Deal, he made mention of using hyperbole to emphasize on a larger scale, something that was much less significant.
Keep desires and passions in their proper place
Mr. Trump apparently has a history of chasing after women. So, it may be that before even entering the
White House, Mr. Trump will have surpassed President Clinton’s inability to keep desires for women in the proper place. He also seems not to be able to keep his desire to win this election in its proper place, leading him to resort to attacks on other candidates as well as other public figures. He has not given a lot of detail to support plans he claims he will pursue; we have to wonder if these really are his plans or just false sales pitches. And he has resorted to extreme positions to stir up the public, rather than seeking more moderate positions that might actually make America great for more people.
Unity overall
With his disparaging of various significant groups in the United States, his potential to be close-minded regarding truth, and his tendency for letting his desires get out of their proper place, I would rate Mr. Trump pretty low for uniting our people based on positive values. He may be able to unite Americans by helping us all to see a common enemy to fight (real or fictional), but that sort of unity likely will dissipate after the enemy is defeated. There could also be a lingering sense of unity among those who fought the enemy together, but again this may only last until the youngest generation of people among those in the battle are gone.
Political insights – Support for Marxism – Support and defend the Constitution
Mr. Trump has shown that he really doesn’t quite understand the nature of a public service position. He seems to believe that if he wins the presidency, he gains one of the greatest positions of power in the world; I’m not sure he realizes that power carries the responsibility to serve U.S. public and national interests, and that he will be accountable to the people regardless of party affiliations. I feel he has a dictatorial desire for the top power position in the country. Could he grow up to be a Hitler-type of person, persecuting, with his federal power, specific groups?
Does he value the first amendment? Freedom of religion is apparently not a major concern.
This is only a draft
I still need to add examples and more information.
Check back again for updates.
Donald Trump may be ahead in the Republican race for the presidential candidacy, but that doesn’t guarantee he is the best choice. Let’s look at these principles of unity and see where he seems to stand.
Charity for all
It seems pretty clear from statements Mr. Trump has made that he doesn’t give a strong place to “charity for all.”
He has spoken of banning Muslims from the country. Whether that would be temporary or not, he singled out a whole religious group based on the actions of a small fraction of the group. Islam is the faith of over 1.5 billion people on the planet. The various extremists groups only account for a very small part of that. We could probably find a similar ratio of total Christian population to white supremacists who claim to follow the Bible. It would seem the actions of a few gave Mr. Trump enough justification to ban a group he likely already disfavors.
He speaks of illegal immigrants from Latin America as if they aren’t people worthy of respect and dignity. He could just as well be speaking of animals. His talk sounds like what we could have expected from the slave owners of America’s unsightly past. Again, as with Muslims, it seems he would rather callously turn people away than find ways to help them with their plight while balancing that with our own needs.
Mr. Trump has also repeatedly belittled various women. His attitude toward women seems to suggest either that they are beneath him or their value is mainly to satisfy his own lust.
Seek and share truth
I’m not sure truth has a major place in Mr. Trump’s agenda or his value system. He will probably seek any truth that he believes will further his own causes and goals. But will he seek for truths that could turn out against his own agendas, for the sake truth itself? Will he seek truth that would help him understand others’ viewpoints that might also lead him to change his own viewpoint? Once he discovers truth that might not support his agenda, would he still reveal it? I’m afraid his answers to these would often prove disappointing, depending what he might gain or lose.
If all his extremist talk reflects his true personal feelings and thoughts, then perhaps he does value truth to some degree. But I think while he may have some attitudes that are somewhat like the things he is saying, the extreme levels that he takes them to during this campaign is more likely aimed at the extremes of the right wing people, to get their support, rather that reflecting his true nature. If that is the case, it is evidence of somewhat lower desire to share truth. In his book, The Art of the Deal, he made mention of using hyperbole to emphasize on a larger scale, something that was much less significant.
Keep desires and passions in their proper place
Mr. Trump apparently has a history of chasing after women. So, it may be that before even entering the
White House, Mr. Trump will have surpassed President Clinton’s inability to keep desires for women in the proper place. He also seems not to be able to keep his desire to win this election in its proper place, leading him to resort to attacks on other candidates as well as other public figures. He has not given a lot of detail to support plans he claims he will pursue; we have to wonder if these really are his plans or just false sales pitches. And he has resorted to extreme positions to stir up the public, rather than seeking more moderate positions that might actually make America great for more people.
Unity overall
With his disparaging of various significant groups in the United States, his potential to be close-minded regarding truth, and his tendency for letting his desires get out of their proper place, I would rate Mr. Trump pretty low for uniting our people based on positive values. He may be able to unite Americans by helping us all to see a common enemy to fight (real or fictional), but that sort of unity likely will dissipate after the enemy is defeated. There could also be a lingering sense of unity among those who fought the enemy together, but again this may only last until the youngest generation of people among those in the battle are gone.
Political insights – Support for Marxism – Support and defend the Constitution
Mr. Trump has shown that he really doesn’t quite understand the nature of a public service position. He seems to believe that if he wins the presidency, he gains one of the greatest positions of power in the world; I’m not sure he realizes that power carries the responsibility to serve U.S. public and national interests, and that he will be accountable to the people regardless of party affiliations. I feel he has a dictatorial desire for the top power position in the country. Could he grow up to be a Hitler-type of person, persecuting, with his federal power, specific groups?
Does he value the first amendment? Freedom of religion is apparently not a major concern.
Introduction, Part 2
The president of the United States is in a strong position to influence the American population. He or she can spur action by organizations and individuals. The president can set things in motion that can continue for years after completing the presidential term.
In recent years, our nation has been increasingly divided on a number of issues. Some division has been stirred up by the president. Some has other roots. Ultimately, our division is fueled by many conflicting values held by various groups of Americans.
I believe the American Dream and the U.S. Constitution are no longer enough to breath prosperity and peace into the United States of America. It is no longer enough for us to just vote for elected officials and then let them take care of things. Regarding the president, if we really want an America where peace among our people is the norm, we must elect a president who cherishes and will promote specific values that unite Americans. Then we must adopt, teach, and spread these values ourselves. This is essential to halt the continuing polarizing of groups against each other, whether it be based on race, religion, status, lifestyle, etc. We all have a part to play in this, even after electing a president who will lead the nation toward a common goal of unity.
It will be a big undertaking to make a real change. It can't be done all at once. But we have an important opportunity now--with an upcoming election--to set in place in the highest leadership position in the nation someone who will lead our people to unite on some common principles that can reduce the negative impacts of our differences.
Three principles stand out for building lasting unity:
- Have charity for all
- Seek and share what is true
- Keep desires and passions in their proper place
These values are quite at odds with the individualist values most Americans hold. It's time to shake that individualist mentality. Let's take a closer look at these higher principles.
Have Charity for All. This is the first and most fundamental value we must establish, because it has the strongest uniting power between people. It entails acknowledging and appreciating the good in others. It also includes respect, kindness, caring, forgiving, and so on. Even the worst of us has some good in us. We must learn to acknowledge that. We must also realize that even the bad that some people do is to some degree influenced by external factors, such as harsh upbringing, desperate circumstances, immoral media influences, and so on.
Because all have some good and all of us are influenced toward the bad by outside influences, we must be willing to help others, regardless of who they are, even if it comes at some cost to us in time, money, or other resources. They are like us, made up of some good and some bad. We don't have to give upeverything for others. But the more excess resources we have beyond our own needs, the more we have available to help and lift our fellow citizens. Regardless of what you believe, all of what you have did not come solely by your efforts alone (unless perhaps you're a mountain man living off the land without electricity and other services). Therefore it is reasonable that your resources should be used for higher purposes in addition to fulfilling your own desires.
Seek and Share What is True.
When we value truth over agendas and emotional reactions, we can become more united, for when we all see the same truths clearly, it’s hard to disagree.
Keep Desires and Passions in Their Proper Place. While the first two principles can foster unity, the absence of this one can destroy unity. Cheating on taxes or academic exams. Corrupt business dealings. Unethical practices in organizations of all types. Biased news reporting and coverups. Sex crimes and scandals. Hate crimes and murders. All these and more can result when passions and desires get out of place.
One more important thing. Marxism - Communism was intended to help eliminate the struggle of the working class. To do so, however, it would use government force to ensure everyone got the same things. Believe it or not, Communism is spreading here in America. By adopting these uniting values, we can thwart Communism and its evils, as people willingly unite without government force.
As an American, please commit to doing your best to study the presidential candidates and choose the one who seems to embody these principles of unity--help us choose this leader of an American movement toward unity.
Then please continue by doing your best to get these values into your own life and teach them to your children and anyone else who listens to you. What we do now impacts, for good or bad, our own posterity. Let's leave for them a legacy as noble and inspiring as the Founding Fathers left us!
In recent years, our nation has been increasingly divided on a number of issues. Some division has been stirred up by the president. Some has other roots. Ultimately, our division is fueled by many conflicting values held by various groups of Americans.
I believe the American Dream and the U.S. Constitution are no longer enough to breath prosperity and peace into the United States of America. It is no longer enough for us to just vote for elected officials and then let them take care of things. Regarding the president, if we really want an America where peace among our people is the norm, we must elect a president who cherishes and will promote specific values that unite Americans. Then we must adopt, teach, and spread these values ourselves. This is essential to halt the continuing polarizing of groups against each other, whether it be based on race, religion, status, lifestyle, etc. We all have a part to play in this, even after electing a president who will lead the nation toward a common goal of unity.
It will be a big undertaking to make a real change. It can't be done all at once. But we have an important opportunity now--with an upcoming election--to set in place in the highest leadership position in the nation someone who will lead our people to unite on some common principles that can reduce the negative impacts of our differences.
Three principles stand out for building lasting unity:
- Have charity for all
- Seek and share what is true
- Keep desires and passions in their proper place
These values are quite at odds with the individualist values most Americans hold. It's time to shake that individualist mentality. Let's take a closer look at these higher principles.
Have Charity for All. This is the first and most fundamental value we must establish, because it has the strongest uniting power between people. It entails acknowledging and appreciating the good in others. It also includes respect, kindness, caring, forgiving, and so on. Even the worst of us has some good in us. We must learn to acknowledge that. We must also realize that even the bad that some people do is to some degree influenced by external factors, such as harsh upbringing, desperate circumstances, immoral media influences, and so on.
Because all have some good and all of us are influenced toward the bad by outside influences, we must be willing to help others, regardless of who they are, even if it comes at some cost to us in time, money, or other resources. They are like us, made up of some good and some bad. We don't have to give upeverything for others. But the more excess resources we have beyond our own needs, the more we have available to help and lift our fellow citizens. Regardless of what you believe, all of what you have did not come solely by your efforts alone (unless perhaps you're a mountain man living off the land without electricity and other services). Therefore it is reasonable that your resources should be used for higher purposes in addition to fulfilling your own desires.
Seek and Share What is True.
When we value truth over agendas and emotional reactions, we can become more united, for when we all see the same truths clearly, it’s hard to disagree.
Keep Desires and Passions in Their Proper Place. While the first two principles can foster unity, the absence of this one can destroy unity. Cheating on taxes or academic exams. Corrupt business dealings. Unethical practices in organizations of all types. Biased news reporting and coverups. Sex crimes and scandals. Hate crimes and murders. All these and more can result when passions and desires get out of place.
One more important thing. Marxism - Communism was intended to help eliminate the struggle of the working class. To do so, however, it would use government force to ensure everyone got the same things. Believe it or not, Communism is spreading here in America. By adopting these uniting values, we can thwart Communism and its evils, as people willingly unite without government force.
As an American, please commit to doing your best to study the presidential candidates and choose the one who seems to embody these principles of unity--help us choose this leader of an American movement toward unity.
Then please continue by doing your best to get these values into your own life and teach them to your children and anyone else who listens to you. What we do now impacts, for good or bad, our own posterity. Let's leave for them a legacy as noble and inspiring as the Founding Fathers left us!
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Introduction - 2016: An Election of Values Above All
Welcome Americans to my 2016 Presidential Election Blog!
I started this blog in January 2016 as a place to distribute information about the candidates in this year's presidential election. My focus is three particular values that can unite the people of our nation and strengthen it. We can't have another four or eight years like these that we've just been through.
I plan to analyze activities and statements by each candidate and evaluate them in light of these three values, attempting to discern how strongly each value is present in what the candidates say and do. The underlying premise is that if we elect a president who lives these values well and promotes them, it will naturally lead to our people adopting them more, which will increase unity between the various groups who currently oppose one another and create conflict and disharmony that affect all Americans to some degree.
A secondary offshoot that I would expect to develop is that as Americans unite, based on a new paradigm, other nations will notice and take steps to implement similar concepts. Darkness can then diminish and light can spread over the earth, bringing with it a grand new hope for humankind.
I believe the three values are fundamental elements of unity between people and unity is an element of light that can uplift people and nations. My hope is to avoid a president who will bring darkness to our national culture, and instead choose a man or woman who will be a light to our nation and the world, to infuse more light into American culture.
The three uniting values are:
- Have charity for all
- Keep passions and desires in their proper place
- Seek and share truth
See http://americanmoralfoundation.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-change-we-need.html for more details on these values.
Also check out these links:
http://americanmoralfoundation.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_26.html
http://americanmoralfoundation.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_10.html
http://americanmoralfoundation.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_70.html
Each article I post on this blog will have the name of one of the candidates and will discuss what I have found on the candidate and how it relates to the three values. I would like to include quantitative research as well, but I just don't have the resources for that right now. So all I can offer is discussion of whatever I find on each candidate within some reasonable amount of research.
Please join me in electing a president based on values and character, rather than social popularity based on how much money they can use to promote their façade.
I started this blog in January 2016 as a place to distribute information about the candidates in this year's presidential election. My focus is three particular values that can unite the people of our nation and strengthen it. We can't have another four or eight years like these that we've just been through.
I plan to analyze activities and statements by each candidate and evaluate them in light of these three values, attempting to discern how strongly each value is present in what the candidates say and do. The underlying premise is that if we elect a president who lives these values well and promotes them, it will naturally lead to our people adopting them more, which will increase unity between the various groups who currently oppose one another and create conflict and disharmony that affect all Americans to some degree.
A secondary offshoot that I would expect to develop is that as Americans unite, based on a new paradigm, other nations will notice and take steps to implement similar concepts. Darkness can then diminish and light can spread over the earth, bringing with it a grand new hope for humankind.
I believe the three values are fundamental elements of unity between people and unity is an element of light that can uplift people and nations. My hope is to avoid a president who will bring darkness to our national culture, and instead choose a man or woman who will be a light to our nation and the world, to infuse more light into American culture.
The three uniting values are:
- Have charity for all
- Keep passions and desires in their proper place
- Seek and share truth
See http://americanmoralfoundation.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-change-we-need.html for more details on these values.
Also check out these links:
http://americanmoralfoundation.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_26.html
http://americanmoralfoundation.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_10.html
http://americanmoralfoundation.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_70.html
Each article I post on this blog will have the name of one of the candidates and will discuss what I have found on the candidate and how it relates to the three values. I would like to include quantitative research as well, but I just don't have the resources for that right now. So all I can offer is discussion of whatever I find on each candidate within some reasonable amount of research.
Please join me in electing a president based on values and character, rather than social popularity based on how much money they can use to promote their façade.
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