If I was Governor...
Our Nation has seen tremendous challenges, particularly in recent years, but unfortunately much of this was driven, or at least enabled, from within. Regardless of your viewpoint on the 2020 election cycle, it must be recognized that unless each of us does something "bigger than ourselves", we'll continue the fall through mediocrity to incompetence, along with subversion of the attainments our predecessors worked so hard and gave so much, to build and leave for us. Working towards a goal of improved livelihoods for us all is what made our parents and their parents, so strong and so valuable; and doing likewise is how we can both honor and continue their legacy. Our politicians and citizens alike could take note:
Most pressing national issue: It's often reported what various poles reflect our most pressing national issue might be, or should be. I have a suggestion as to our biggest problem, both individually and nationally. We need to accept responsibility! Our constitution guarantees us as citizens the right to the pursuit of happiness... it doesn't say we will be provided that happiness. Each of us needs to assume personal responsibility for our own security, health, and welfare, as well as seeking our own version of happiness; but whatever it is we're doing, we must not negatively effect our brethren citizens. If chasing riches makes you happy, go for it. If just getting by while having plenty of time to fish is what you crave, that too is fine. Regardless of the goals each of us has, we as a society need to cease efforts to divide us with class envy; and instead celebrate the successes of each other, for and as what they are. Bottom line, we each need to take responsibility for establishing our own goals and then direct our efforts to attaining them.
National Defense: Without a secure country, our attempts to further private and national goals will be futile. Our borders must be secure, and our allies must trust we'll back them in times of crisis. We must understand there are always going to be adversaries working to undermine a stable global populace and there will therefore be times when quick intervention can reduce or eliminate the potential for deadly outcomes. As examples, we could have intervened in a relatively small way in Syria, when a positive outcome was still achievable. In Ukraine we could have preempted hostilities in a manner that caused no fighting, and at the same time limited the potential for future conflict. In Iraq, we could have provided some measure of support as they learned to govern themselves. The disgraceful retreat from Afghanistan and now renewed conflict in Ukraine show the world a profoundly dis-united States. we did nothing on all fronts, and so I'm left wondering if the lives of our fallen brethren have been lost for nothing. More important than anything else, we need to recognize our responsibility to our nation and national interests!
Health Care: Instead of wildly irresponsible and highly oppressive "one size fits all healthcare", we can advance much more effective and less onerous health care assistance legislation. For example, a simple "catastrophic cap" whereby the federal government picks up the tab for any single year medical bill exceeding some yet-to-be-determined maximum amount (perhaps $100,000 or $200,000) would retain full private determination of what's medically necessary, while encouraging insurance premiums to decline since insurers would know they'd never be stuck with a bill for more than that catastrophic cap. For all those responsible citizens who take good care of themselves and yet never-the-less experience an unusual and serious medical issue, this would be perfect; and fair.
Taxation: An unwelcome but necessary fact of civilized life, taxes should be fair and balanced. Instead of blaming one particular group or another, we should strive to cut at least some of the "gamesmanship" our tax code encourages. Instead, focus on fair taxation on a percentage basis, and cut the extravagant in-code spending orchestrated by our government. With a goal of responsible support for our government while advancing our way of life, everyone should pay a fair share, no matter how much they make.
Infrastructure: We have bridges falling down, yet when the federal administration threw (taxpayers') money at the country, ordering state entities to "spend it", we repaved highways instead of fixing those failing structures. Now we can speed down smooth roads as we rush towards unsafe bridges. How much more foolish can we be? After all the spending and with nine trillion dollars added to the national debt in just eight years under Obama, we have the same safety concerns that we should have addressed long ago. Now that Trump is in office we continue the wild spending spree, in some cases being forced to agree to childish whims in order to pass funding for a truly national need to repair and rebuild our most basic infrastructure. We need to learn to prioritize our spending but with a divided and hostile congress, the chance of accomplishing improvements to our most basic infrastructure is questionable. Still, we need to take the responsibility to try!
Education: We need to focus on fundamentals; math, science, and basic reading skills. We need to curtail subversive indoctrination and proudly teach patriotism, with all it's triumphs and failures. We also need a balance of arts and athletics. Further, we need to ensure there are rational and attainable rewards for attempts to learn. The concept of making students "feel good" for their own self esteem needs is a proven failure. True challenges will necessarily result in failure as well as success; but without the potential for failure, how can we measure success?
More to come...