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!