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Make Sure to Vote

Fail to Vote, Pay a Fine As we Americans approach another presidential election, we might take a trip into the distant past. A time before there was a United States, the era of British colonies. Many of the colonies had mandatory voting laws. A qualified voter who did not show up at the polls on Election Day was often punished.* He might be fined a cow, two pigs, four or five chickens, even a bushel of corn or wheat. Perhaps wares from his business such as clothing, leather goods, paper, or an in-kind service to be performed were levied. Today, because of age requirements and immigration status, roughly thirty percent of the total U.S. population is unqualified to vote. Of the remaining 236 million eligible voters, about 168 million can cast a ballot. In other words, nearly one-third of qualified Americans is not registered to and do not vote. As a side note, approximately 10 million citizens who could have voted in 2020 did not. Perhaps we should revisit our history and fine those who do not vote. (* Boorstin, Daniel J., “The Americans: The Colonial Experience,” © Copyright 1958, A Caravelle Edition, Vintage Books, are published by Alfred A. Knoff, Inc. and Random House, Inc., New York, and simultaneously by Random House of Canada, Limited, Toronto.) 

Next Book Coming Soon Hi all: I’ve been feverishly working on my next book. Hope to have it available in September. That is why I have been absent from several postings. In the meantime, as this year’s political campaigns heat up and candidates vie for your vote, I recommend you read my book “President You” to get some ideas on alternative policy options for consideration. It is available on Amazon in e-book and paperback. Or go to my website https://lnkd.in/gGqA8P3v and order it from there (direct link to amazon books).

What is an American? … What then is the American, this new man? … hence that strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no other country… He is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives … the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holds. He becomes an American by being received in the broad lap of our great Alma Mater. Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labours and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world. Americans are the western pilgrims, who are carrying along with them that great mass of arts, sciences, vigor, and industry which began long since in the east; they will finish the great circle. The Americans were once scattered all over … here they are incorporated into one of the finest systems of population which has ever happened, and which will hereafter become distinct by the power of the different climates they inhabit. The American ought therefore to love this country much better than that wherein either he or his forefathers were born. Here the rewards of his industry follow with equal steps the progress of his labour; his labour is founded on the basis of nature, self-interest; can it want a stronger allurement? … without any part being claimed, either by a despotic prince, a rich abbot, or a mighty lord. … The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas, and form new opinions. From involuntary idleness, servile dependence, penury, and useless labour, he has passed to toils of a very different nature, rewarded by ample subsistence. This is an American. (Letters from an American Farmer, J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur (1782) )

No One Else Can Syndrome The ‘No One Else Can’ syndrome is a malady specific to human beings. Every person will eventually manifest, or has already exhibited, the symptoms of this ailment. It is simply the intellectual acceptance and certitude by an individual that no one can perform better than he or she. Consequently, that person remains in their occupation or station beyond their mental or physical ability, sometimes with deleterious effects. Many know of the elderly woman who drives a car despite exhibiting delayed reactions. Others have watched an unsteady man climb ladders and clean out gutters. Co-workers have dealt with irrational associates’ bouts of explosive comments. Teammates recognize once skillful sports enthusiasts who play beyond their youthful physicality. The ‘No One Else Can’ syndrome is especially prevalent in politicians; there are numerous examples. The out of order individual denies any state of confusion or reduced mastery exists. Enablers too often lend credence to that mistaken belief. At times, the individual is cognizant and cogent. In other situations, that same person is befuddled and discombobulated. It takes intestinal fortitude to convince the ailing personality their time is past. It takes moral courage and self-sacrifice to acknowledge the affliction and extricate oneself.

The Fight for Freedom, Independence, and Liberty – It Continues Today   From 1775 to 1783, liberty revering, independent minded, ordinary people accomplished an unheard of, unimaginable feat—a revolution which defeated the globe’s mightiest army and forced that world’s greatest empire to negotiate. Then, in 1787, many of those same revolutionaries created something exceptional: a Constitution that rejected violence as a means to change government and codified the most important four-letter word in all humanity—VOTE. Much like the long-ago English Monarchy that retained power, controlled policies, and ignored British colonial subjects, America’s current government holds power, controls the agenda, and ignores the will of the people. Therefore, I ask America’s freedom loving, independent thinking, everyday citizens to conduct an extraordinary deed—a voter revolution to defeat mighty politicians and force political parties to negotiate on behalf of the people instead of retaining their own self-interests. To succeed, Americans must not only vote, but also VOTE AGAINST every incumbent and VOTE FOR every challenger. At the very least, go the polls on Election Day and in that booth write down your own name or mine.   Augustus Lincoln Treatise (From “President You: How a Thoughtful Ordinary Citizen Could Change the Most Powerful Government on Earth,” by Tom Williams, All Wet Publishing, LLC © 2019.)

Pledge of Allegiance

National Flag Week This week is National Flag Week, a time to honor, respect, and display our country’s iconic symbol, the Stars and Stripes. I will do so on Flag Day, June 14. In recognition of National Flag Week, it is important to learn of other flags created and flown during the Revolutionary War, before the thirteen colonies became E pluribus Unum. Don’t Tread on Me (Gadsden Flag) Hope (Colony of Rhode Island) An Appeal to Heaven (Pine Tree Flag) Bennington Flag (Fillmore Flag) Moultrie Flag (Liberty Flag) Bunker Hill Flag (Flag of New England) Some of these flags have become recent topics of divisiveness. Freedom and liberty loving Americans are encouraged to look up the history of each flag and decide for themselves. (Photo Source: Department of Defense publication DoD Gen-5, dated 12 February 1964)

Love Letters Meet Amy Palmer, a twenty-year-old switchboard operator in a career at the local Bell Telephone Company office. Enter a soldier, Scott Morris, two years into military service as the war in Vietnam begins to wind down. The year is 1971. In her own words, follow Amy’s life-changing, emotional journey from first notice of Scott, to initial friendship, through dearest affection, toward unabashed adoration, and finally enduring love. Amy’s personal letters are an intimate window into her likes, dislikes, and frailties.  She often expresses self-doubt, on other occasions discloses inner strength. Amy transitions from youthful joy and infatuation to a woman’s maturity and wisdom. Within her sensitive and touching writings are common, everyday occurrences. An employed girl’s life at home with mom, dad, sister, dog, and cat. She includes humor and sarcasm, and thoughts dealing with the highs and lows of work for “Ma Bell.” Not knowing anything about the military, Amy connects with Scott by inserting newly learned army jargon. This true, three-year courtship and love story by mail encompasses fear, relief, insecurity, strength, doubt, and devotion. (Available on Amazon in Paperback or e-Book)