Post 2a "The winds of change" - short version

  The media circus fueled presidential election in the US becomes more of a red herring, redirecting most citizens focus away from the real opportunities of change that now exist.

  Each president over the last 50 years has significantly undelivered on addressing the real problems that exist in America and around the world.

  Despite President elect Trump's shortcomings, he represents one of the first "true" opportunities for change and at focusing on critical issues without the full manipulation of the "establishment".

 Knowledge and insight can be used by any citizen to help propel positive change. Who was elected president is of lesser significance.

 My first four posts are predominantly for context.

 

Post 2 - The winds of change are upon us

Trump wins! Clinton loses! Clinton wins! Trump loses! Trump wins! Clinton loses! Clinton wins! Trump loses! Trump wins! ...and so on....

My first post's headline was not an attempt at an election prediction. I was trying to make a point in the body of the post - that no matter which candidate was elected, there is still a tremendous amount that needs to be done (well beyond what one citizen i.e. the president can do) to tackle the expanding issues and problems that we Americans face. The most specific and core issue is that the existing establishment (political and corporate) is doing very little to truly address substantive issues and problems. The philosophies and actions of those that have a bigger say in society in the US create motion, but many times it is a smokescreen that blinds the vast majority of citizens. Things happen and millions are unsure why or misinterpret what is happening. This is not a conspiracy but a silent understanding among those in power and money positions to serve themselves.

Are you shocked by the election outcome? You might be equally surprised whether you voted for the winner or the loser. I'm not surprised at the outcome at all.  Prior to this election, I may have been personally and quietly disappointed with past election outcomes, but it has never upset me or made me angry or want to protest. What disappointed me most was the almost nonexistent improvement promised by each American President over the past 25 years. My disappointment in past leaders falling well short of the initial hope each started with was never a surprise, and in fact, it was quite predictable.  The life-knowledge I have developed (and continue to evolve) allowed me to see the upside and the potential opportunities given each president’s unique strengths and shortcomings. Specifically, I adapted and improvised at many key junctions over the past 30 years to adjust my life game plan to take advantage of the many opportunities that surfaced. Also, presidential influence is only the tip of the iceberg when compared to the multitude of factors that Americans must be able to interpret to adjust life decision-making. Knowledge and insight is key. Given the rapidly changing variables we all face every day, month, year and decade (and the presidential election is just one of them), I always would adjust my life game plan and proceed onward in pursuit of life's wonders and mysteries.

The anger and angst and nonsense of this election takes away from what is important, and ultimately what is best for this country and the people. The worrying, angst and vitriol becomes more smokescreen - the media plays a big role here. People take everything so personally.  It's good to be passionate and enthusiastic but the extreme personal direction of this election undermines the potential for proper change in the country - our country. Most US citizens are distracted from seeing the opportunity each election presents, regardless of the winner.

During my life (even when I was much younger and then more intensely over the past 10 years), I have always tried to understand things so that I might share my ideas with others to truly help them. So what is going on?

The apple cart is turned over...

 

Character of P-e (President Elect) Trump: Questionable

Business acumen of P-e Trump: Some good, some not so good

Manners of P-e Trump: Not so good

Depth of knowledge of P-e Trump: limited

Consistency of message: like a ping-pong ball

Concept of P-e Trump as a change agent: Bingo!  (the idea of change to the bureaucracy of govt and big business): this concept is critical

Trump work ethic: Excellent.  Always in motion, campaigned tirelessly

Yep, the apple cart is on it's side and the apples are rolling and bouncing all over the place. The chance for positive change has improved dramatically.  Don't get me wrong, a lot of work has to be done first and the vast majority will come from everyday citizens like you and me. President-elect Trump possesses a heavy dose of mega-ego that needs to be served. However, he is not a Washington insider, who are polished professionals adept at expert misdirection. Herein lies the vast opportunity for true, healthy change. Ignore for the moment President-elect Trump's short comings and look more so at the potential for change and disruption of the entrenched establishment. The door is open. That is a substantial positive.

The first four posts will serve as a backdrop for the bigger picture issues I believe are the most important. I think the context driven by these first 4 will help people understand what I'm trying to say. Beyond the first 4 posts, future posts will raise specific issues and will provide answers from my perspective.

 

Post 1a - Short version

If Clinton were elected, it would have been more of the same - expanded bureaucratic control for the establishment and expanded reward for them (all politicians including both parties). The have/have-not gap would continue to widen.

To properly address the have/have-not gap, it must be understood that it is not about money – it is about knowledge. 

We as a society should not be driving toward forced monetary equality but toward the potential for an equal chance for opportunity.

Lastly and most importantly, it doesn't make a difference who the president is.  Everyone must stand on their own two feet and push forward in life propelled by their own efforts and without the "help" from the pretend "helpers". True and consistent assistance comes in the form of knowledge. This model for help is still in its infant stage, but I would predict that it will play a powerful role in the near future.

 

Starting Point

Monday November 7, 2016 10:54 PM

Clinton wins! Trump loses!  This will be the headline on Wednesday morning. The media as a whole will be a big winner after a race featuring two polarizing candidates who have increased viewership of all things political. Unfortunately, the real winner is the amorphous mass of politicians and governmental bureaucrats. Likewise, the bureaucratic and entrenched wing of corporate America is right on the heels of the politicians in terms of status-quo-driven, always-protected success. Wealthy self-serving "haves" will make money no matter who sits in the Oval Office. It doesn't make a difference. Whether you are part of the Democratic or Republican machinery, you face a short term victory but a longer term defeat. Why? Because we are wasting precious time and resources travelling down a road of ruin instead of a direction that would be more equitable for all, especially in terms of equal opportunity. Electing a female President is a monumental step forward. There will be moments of hope and excitement as we glimpse at the "mirage" of what could be. But ultimately the world of Clinton Number Two looks, tastes and smells the same as the Have/Have-Not Reality of Bush One, Clinton One, Bush Two and Obama One. It feels like we’re moving forward, but in reality we’ve got the car in reverse. 

My mother—sharp and witty, loved and liked by many in my hometown neighborhood of southwest Philadelphia—used to say: "Don't talk about politics, religion and money at a dinner party."  It’s funny though: we lived in a tiny home and had little money, and we didn't go to any fancy dinner parties or host them for that matter. We did go to countless neighborhood family  get-togethers, year in and year out. My father was from a sprawling Italian-American family, and many of the aunts, uncles and cousins lived in the same neighborhood. Everyone lived in a small row home. For all the big holidays, we got together at Aunt Ida’s or Aunt Grace’s house. They prepared the "homemades" and all the Italian specialties. Of course, there were other aunts present, and everyone brought something to the party. The uncles (brothers, and brother-in-law’s) brought the liquor (most times home-made). And then the family gatherings would proceed with plenty of eating, drinking and laughing. Card games would follow. Finally, after a few bottles were spent, came the arguing and insulting. And yes: Politics, Religion, and Money were popular topics. But any subject was fair game, and it always blew past the "PRM". The men were the key players in the evening’s "entertainment". This was 1965 to 1975. 

My mother's heritage was Czech, Austrian, Dutch, Scottish, and maybe a few more European representations—auburn hair, light blue eyes. My father was second generation Italian-American (tall, dark and muscular). They were a fiery pair—equal parts passion and argumentative volatility. They both attended high school. My mom was a waitress, and then raised my sister and me. My dad fought his way across France and Germany in WWII and when he returned home to the US, he became a police officer, a position he held for 54 years. I’ve looked into it, and he must have been one of the longest serving police officers in US history. They both wanted their kids to have more opportunities then they did, but, at the time, I was oblivious to their foresight.

I was drawn to the idea that it was the purpose of neighbors to “have your back".  I didn't think of Poor versus Rich or similar cultural demarcations. I still cherish my rough and tumble neighborhood upbringing. I grew up positively, connected to a diverse environment and holding equal respect for all. My street education has helped me more in navigating life than many of the other drivers of intelligence that I came across.

Over the years, my parents infused my life with wisdom and insight. Mom’s big focus was education, manners, and respect for others. Education was most important. She always said that her Jewish friends held education in the highest regard. They treated education as the key ingredient to improve yourself and open the door for new opportunities. She said that most immigrants came to America with "only the shirts on their back". There were many factors that led to "the American Dream": education was top of the list. The tight-knit Jewish community of inner Philly embodied this idea, and so she followed in kind. 

My dad's top three were to be true to yourself (don’t be a “yes man,” be a pathfinder not a blind follower), work hard in life and at life, and help others no matter your situation.  Mom’s specific and more superficial insight was to learn about money and be smart with it. Dad’s biggie for success in the material world was to learn to golf because that's what the rich families did. They did not hover over my sister and I with their thoughts and ambitions for us. But these concepts were offered to us from time to time while growing up. They wanted us to figure things out on our own. Fittingly, the one concept they were completely unified on was: Stand up on your own two feet and make it happen yourself. 

I've travelled the world extensively, and I can say unequivocally there is no place in the world like America when it comes to a chance to fulfill your dreams. Don’t get me wrong: there are many amazing countries and people around the world. But when I think of America, I see the whole world represented under one roof. Every country is here.

America, just like my parents, represents an abundance of love and volatility. It is beautifully imperfect. Extraordinary things can happen to and for you in America. This has always been the case from pre-Revolutionary War to the official formation of the United States under the Constitution through the present day. But it is not available to many in the same form, if at all. Equality doesn’t mean equity. 

And, most distressingly, the pathway toward the chance of opportunity is becoming even more opaque, convoluted, and complex. You may not be personally driven to pursue the abundance that life has to offer: that’s fine. But everyone should at the very least have access to options. 

The concept of Have/Have-Nots carries many different meanings to citizens of the world. Most probably believe it refers to monetary wealth or some other similar derivation. To me it means this:  "Have knowledge" vs "Not Have knowledge". It’s that simple.  The understanding of certain key concepts can truly propel a person to new heights. And the more you learn and understand, the more opportunity you can access (if you want to pursue it). 

I'm an eternal optimist. I root for everyone. I'm hoping President Clinton Number Two will do some amazing things and change the direction and dialogue of our country. I had the same hope with each of the past presidents, dating back to Bush One. But given what I have fortunately and graciously learned from the "have" side of the knowledge equation (up to my 25th birthday in 1986 and henceforth), I've always proceeded in life without counting on our political or corporate leaders to do the aggregated "right thing". It just hasn’t happened yet. 

My goal over the next 100 posts in this kick-off blog is to just maybe illuminate a better path.

 

Posts and vlogs to follow. 

DP