The Sustainist

Who Should You Vote For?

For the people of the United States of America, we are in the middle of a presidential election. In fact, many have already voted.  But there might be people who still have not made up their minds, or who are considering changing their mind.   So, in this blog post, I am providing a way to help people decide or to be a little more sure of their decision. I admit this method is a little brainy but this is a very important decision and using our brain in addition to our emotions is not a bad idea. You may use the process to engage your friends to help them discern how they will vote.

In January, the newly elected president will make the following oath, "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."  For senators and congresspersons, they also have to make a similar oath.   In order to make a sound decision with our votes, we should take a look at the preamble of the constitution.

Constitution of the United States

Adopted by convention of States, September 17, 1787; Ratification completed, June 21, 1788

PREAMBLE

We the People of the United States, in Order to
form a more perfect Union,
establish Justice,
insure domestic Tranquility,
provide for the common Defense,
promote the general Welfare, and
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The Preamble consists of well-thought-out action verbs and themes - form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty. If you study these themes carefully, you will see how they work together and support each other to create a well-balanced approach to the governance of the country.

These are the criteria I would use to measure the qualifications of any candidate running for office in the United States.  I have created a chart below. Make copies of it and put the names of the candidates on them - one name per chart. You can use the same chart for all federal and local election as well.   For each of constitutional criterion, rate the candidate using the scale of 1 to 5: “1” being awful at it, “5” being brilliant at it.  Circle the number that represents your evaluation of the candidate for each statement.  Add up the circled and that will be the score you have for this candidate.  Do that for both candidates.  The one with the higher score is the one for whom I would recommend for you to place your vote on election day.

  

Eric H. F. Law

Kaleidoscope Institute
For competent leadership in a diverse changing world
www.kscopeinstitute.org                

Who are the "We" in We the People?

Who are the "we" in "We the People?"

Many of my friends were upset by the first so-called Presidential Debate. My response is: Don't let your upset-ness stop you from staying engaged. Instead, channel that energy toward discernment.

If you are an U.S. citizen, you have the power to choice with your vote. The question is: how do you decide? Begin with the first line of the Constitution. Appreciate how radical that is to begin such a nation-forming document with "We the People" and not "I the dictator" or "We the bullies."

Even though the "We" had evolved and changed since the beginning of the nation (see the article The myth of 'We The People'
by Tereneh Idia), too become more inclusive, we are the people who will continue to define the "we" as we move forward as a nation specifically with our votes.

To help you focus, please keep "We the People" as your mantra today. Say it regularly as you go about your day - with family, seeing your neighbors, going shopping, walking on main street, in your workplace, at school, in the park and online gatherings.

As you recite this mantra, consider the questions:

Who are the "we" in "We the People?"

Does a candidate's idea of "we" different from yours?  How might this difference affect the way you receive the candidate's message/ads/speeches/social media posts?

Which candidate - president, senator, congress-persons - takes "We the People" as we/you understand it today seriously?

Write your reflection and post it on social media and share it with your friends. 

Initiate a conversation with at least one other person with the question: Who are the "we" in "We the People?"