For those who used to claim and believe that their vote didn’t matter (didn’t matter), the 2016 election should certainly have shown that, for them, elections often have consequences! In these last few years since then, we have seen a degree of polarization and division the likes of which this nation has probably not seen since the Civil War! Sustainable problems, such as environmental protection, climate change, etc., have been ignored, denied or measures have been taken to try to at least partially destroy! It seems to many that all the gains, in terms of civil rights protection, have been reduced and/or reversed. The nature and makeup of the Federal Courts, especially the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, have changed significantly. Even the tax system, the concept, has been altered, in a way that significantly favored the wealthiest individuals and corporations, and had little or no positive impact on much of the middle class. President Trump’s handling of this horrible pandemic, which began with dismantling much of the pandemic panel, before ignoring its inception, denying its effects, personally refusing to wear a mask or encouraging others to do so, and maintaining social distancing , etc., may be the most disturbing, partially avoidable, event of that period. With that in mind, this article will attempt to consider, examine, review, and discuss what this nation must do next to ensure a better future for America.
1. Ethics/integrity in government: For someone who campaigned, stating that we needed to drain the swamp, instead, we have witnessed a level of swamp, like actions, like we have never seen before! If we have learned anything and look forward to a better future, we must implement steps to ensure that future leaders and management are held to higher ethical standards and maintain integrity in terms of their behavior and activities.
two. Conflicts of interest: Every US president after Richard Nixon released their tax information, until Donald Trump refused to do so! With all that is at stake, disclosure of this information must be encoded, so we are safe, no one is above the law! Without that, we can never protect American policy, to ensure that it prioritizes the needs, goals, etc., of our people, rather than any elected official’s personal/political agenda and/or self-interest!
3. Change political campaign: Almost every other nation restricts campaigning periods to about 90 days or so, but, at home, it seems to go on for years! If a corporation’s advertising distorted and/or lied, as much as politicians did, they would likely face criminal charges! Don’t we need these things to be held to higher standards, etc.?
Four. Constitutional guarantees: In recent memory, this nation is closer to being in a constitutional crisis than ever before! We must make sure that all the constitutional guarantees and all the rights, freedoms and justice that we are supposed to defend and represent are real and guaranteed, or the nature of America risks being changed forever!
5. Environmental Protection and Climate Change: United States must join the Paris Agreements, because, if we do not do it, sooner rather than later, it might be too late to take viable measures, to address the inherent risks, for future generations! Additionally, we must reverse the apparent efforts, by the Trump administration, to alter steps taken over decades to protect our environment and ensure clean air, water, etc.
6. Balance of powers: The Founding Fathers felt that it was essential to ensure that this nation had a Balance of Powers, between co-equal powers, the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial, to ensure that we avoid becoming a monarchy, or worse! A lot of us feel like we had that, but we find that if someone doesn’t comply, unless the guidelines are followed, and executable, it is quite possible for an individual to exceed the optimal potency of a branch. We must address this, soon!
7. Separation of church and state: While, individually, both religious freedom and a free nation are wonderful concepts, the so-called Freedom of Religion meant that anyone could celebrate whatever religion they wanted (or none at all, if they preferred), and there was to be, no, state religion! We must secure this!
Wake up, America, and learn from the experiences of the past (especially these last 4 years), and take action to protect the identity and meaning of this nation in the future! Are you ready, willing and able to stand up for these essential rights and needs?
