Dear President-Elect Biden

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Congratulations!

I am sure there will be lawsuits and arguing against your presidency. But I don't think they hold much weight. You won with the largest vote ever in the history of the country. I voted for you because I saw within you a person of character and substance. I have seen you as a man who lives with his mistakes, loves his family, supports his children through their darkest moments. The story of you at the graveside of your son on election day moved me deeply. I have heard people speak of your capacity to forgive, to collaborate and to cross the aisle to get things done. We need that character and ability now more than ever. 

As the news stations show pictures of cheering and celebrations of those who voted for you, others might be apprehensive or angry. But, we are America together. We are in a fight together...a fight against a virus that seeks to destroy us, a fight against a struggling economy, a fight against our inner demons and external threats. You lead us in that fight. You campaigned on fighting for the soul of America. I am with you in that fight.

Four years ago I wrote to President-Elect Trump asking him to be a humble president. I write that same message to you now, hoping that you will live this out in the coming years.

President-Elect Biden: be a humble president

I follow a definition of humility coined by John Dickson, in his book Humilitas. He defines humility as the noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources and use your influence for the good of others before yourself. It is a practical definition that can be used well to guide you in your presidency. If I may be bold, here are some thoughts on how you can be humble. I don't expect you to succeed at this all the time. I fail at it often, even daily. But what a worthwhile goal to strive towards in being humble!

First, it is a noble choice. Not weak, not crazy or stupid. It is dignified, powerful and displays a virtue well depicted by your friend, President Obama. Make that noble choice for ALL of us!

Second, forgo your status. You have been given the highest status in public service in our country. There are many titles and statuses that go with your new position of POTUS - commander in chief, signer of laws, one who appoints judges and more. The fullest one is that you are a public servant. Forgoing means not holding onto your status for your benefit, but using it for the benefit of others. Be a public servant...serve ALL the American people well by forgoing your status benefits and using them to help everyone improve. Since we live in a world where what happens across the globe impacts us here at home, you have the privilege and opportunity to forgo that status in the expense of serving humanity. Please, do it well. Status has been given to you Forgo it as a servant to ALL.

Third, deploy your resources. The election has bestowed on you numerous resources to help or destroy the world many times over. In your public life deploy your resources for the good of America and the world. Deploy these resources wisely, and for the good of many, not the benefit of the few.

Fourth, use your influence. One description of the president's power is that all he has are relationships and influence. But oh, what influence and what powerful relationships. You have the ability now to influence global markets, determine family prosperity for generations, unite or divide us as a country, plunge us into a world war or build a global village. You have that influence. You could use it for personal benefit, familial promotion or party aggrandizement OR you could use it for upliftment, empowerment and improvement for ALL.

I am not naive to the impossible task this presents, or to the past struggles we have witnessed in recent years. We are a divided country, with huge rifts to overcome. I am aware of the struggles, but not as deeply or as knowledgeable as you are. This is why I ask you to be better than we hope...a tough request I am sure. Avoid lowering the base part of who we are, resist reducing our rhetoric to sound bites and instead lift our hopes, raise our dreams and expand our vision. Paint a picture of the greatness we might become, but then inspire us to work with you in building that grander experience for all of us.

Restore our soul, and guide us to deep, good character once again.

Be humble Mr President.

Make that your legacy.

God bless you.

God bless us all.

Leadership Masterclass

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Governor Cuomo just delivered a masterclass on crisis leadership in his briefing on the state of work in New York State. 

His briefing was clear - detailing facts when they are facts and his own opinion when it was his opinion. He kept to the script of what he planned to say. He focu

He focused on care - presenting facts and plans he highlighted and spoke with compassion and care for those affected.

He was calm - he answered questions and presented real solutions using common sense in his communication.

He was confident of his team - when asked a question he had no answer to, his response was, we should look into that. He looked around at his team and they had an answer to the question which he did not know an answer to (nor did he know they had a plan for it either). After a clear response from his team, he responded with support of their answer, humor in the midst of it and did not steal the show from the one who spoke.

Throughout these briefings he has clearly stated that he is not running for any political office other than the one he currently holds - governor of New York. He has made these statements consistently to be clear that his decisions and comments are not to gain political currency for a future presidential run.

From the outside watching in, in my opinion, he is leading brilliantly.

Processing Your Lockdown: The Stages of Grief

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We are all grieving some sort of loss. 

From loss of freedom of movement for some, to loss of life for others.

And we are all going through stages of grief in some way.

For those who don't know them, the five stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. They are not necessarily sequential, but most people experience all of them as they process grief.

Most felt denial in the last week: "this is crazy", "it's surreal", "I can't believe it" and a myriad other responses all show denial.

Last night, I think I moved into anger. I felt anger at our political leaders (on too many levels and for too many things). But the flashpoint for me was listening to a report on the second failed attempt in congress. 

Both sides of the aisle attempted to include their own programs (unrelated to the current crisis) in earmarks and appropriations. It made me angry, that in a time where people are scared, losing their jobs, getting sick, dying (and a prospect that it will only get worse), politics was alive and well.

It made me mad (along with a host of other things).

For me I process anger by sharing it with trusted friends and physical exercise.

My friends weren't available, the gym is closed...so out I went on a run, alone and not very far, but enough to bleed off my anger and find perspective.

Others deal with anger by journaling, sleeping, withdrawing, prayer, solitude and silence (those last two are a little tough if you are stuck in a house with lots of others.

How do you process anger during this crisis time?

COVID-19: Is this the new world?

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Schools closed...events canceled...hospitals inundated...sports seasons suspended...shopping excess at grocery stores (toilet paper anyone)...social distancing...media flurries...travel bans...it reads like an apocalypse movie script.

Except it's all fact.

Is the COVID 19 impact the new normal in a new world?

Many believe it is.

But for me, this provides an opportunity...for the best in us to come out.

Here's what I mean...

We can care for each other in powerful ways as we face this crisis together. Here are some thoughts on how to do this:

• Guard your health: follow the advice of your PCP and CDC advisories. DON'T follow a meme on Facebook...many of them are inaccurate, and some are even dangerously wrong.
• Manage emotions: avoid being overwhelmed and limit media coverage that exacerbates your emotional mood. 
• Care for your neighbors: check on those near you, especially those who live alone or single parents with kids. Offer help, stay connected, express support.
• Share resources: Out of your excess share with those who lack.
• Respect the decisions of others: don't invade others choices to distance socially, or self quarantine.
• Don't discriminate: avoid assumptions based on race AND stand against discrimination of people. I have heard from people who have experienced profiling and discrimination first hand due to assumptions about the Coronavirus.
• Pray: if you are a person of faith, pray for the officials, medical personnel, those infected, those in fear, and those near you.
• Embrace the gift: for many people they are heading home due to closings and cancellations. Embrace the gift of downtime, if that's what you have. Be with your family, love each other, play games, watch movies, enjoy the rest.

We will emerge from this virus. The world may be different when we emerge, but we will emerge. There will be new restrictions, new vaccines, new ways of operating, new ways of traveling, but we are a resilient people who will find a way. We can do this together.

As a person of faith, and a pastor, I also believe this crisis gives us the opportunity to remember that there is Someone greater than a disease, a power greater than fear, and hope greater than death. A follower of Jesus from 2000 years ago realized this truth and wrote about it. His name was John, an apostle of Jesus, an eye witness to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Here's what he wrote almost 2000 years ago:

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear."

1 John 4:16-18 (NIV)

That Someone is Jesus

That Power is love

That Hope is life in Christ

In these coming days, let's make a new world based on these truths where  

...faith replaces fear.

...hope defeats despair

...community replaces isolation
...love conquers hate

Join me in creating this new world that defeats COVID-19

Unfeeling...is that a word?

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Well...is it? 

Or is it more a description of an overload of emotions that leave you feeling adrift and numb. 

That's how I'm feeling after this week of political turmoil. 

I voted early, four days before the primary in MA. 

Who knew that four days later it would erupt into craziness. 

Within 24 hours two candidates withdrew (knowingly mocking my vote, but not personally). 

Super Tuesday was all over the place with two candidates claiming victories, while the two remaining women running were succinctly ignored. 

Then another male candidate dropped out

Then another female.

Now there are three candidates: one woman and two men.

However, the media is calling it a two person race. 

Since that candidate only has 2 delegates, it really is between the front runners.

The speed at which these candidates dropped out and endorsed previous opponents, has left me with "unfeeling". 

I am disappointed, but I don't know with whom. I don't know if its with the candidates who dropped out or the voting population who seems to choose white males over non white male candidates. I don't even know if it's about gender and sexism. Like I said, I don't know quite what I'm feeling.

The following is not an endorsement or critique of the Democratic Party or democratic views.

The 2020 Democratic Candidate list was one of the most diverse candidate lists I have seen in many election cycles. There was a vast range of ethnicities, genders, orientations, views and political plans. I found it fascinating, interesting and worth exploring. I was hoping for someone different, with perhaps fresh insights and solutions to guide and grow our country. One by one, for various reasons they have all dropped out and we are left with two front runners that seem to be a bit of the same old political past we have endured for some time. 

And I don't know how I feel about that. Unfeeling is what I feel...numb, surprised and unsurprised, disappointed and non-plussed, confused and understanding, but mostly, just empty...wishing for a change that will catapult us into a new age of the American dream.

But for now, it becomes a search for what works with yet another choice between two white males in the democratic party and then another choice between probably two white males for the presidency.

To the women candidates: Senator Amy Klobuchar, Representative Tulsi Gabbard, and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris. Thank you for courageously stepping out and attempting to once again break that glass ceiling in America. Tulsi Gabbard, you are still fighting and I remind myself, there are three candidates for the democratic party, not two...even if that third candidate is very far behind.

Check your sources!

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As the Democratic candidate group gets smaller and smaller and the race gets more contentious, I am seeing multiple posts, infographics, articles, opinions and comments. Here's my one request: check your sources...please!

In this new world we cannot trust photos, videos, or opinion articles. Videos can be spliced together to look authentic, photos are easily doctored and articles, quotes and "fact sheets" are easily manipulated.

Check your sources for authenticity, check the date, source of article, tone of publication (the number of times satire sites are quoted as factual is scary), and verify against the actual candidates websites. If in doubt, please don't share, because all it does is waste time and creates arguments.

There are enough worthwhile issues to debate in the coming election without having to deal with the false, inaccurate or purposely skewed.

Check your sources and correct me if I fall into this same trap. We can all help each other promote truth if we are willing to hear from each other.

Now to watch the last debate before Super Tuesday!

A Vision Vacuum?!?

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We have a vision vacuum in America. 

At least, that's what I think. I look at the candidates for president and I want to hear a grand vision that rallies us together. And I just don't see it...yet.

I think back to some grand visions of the recent past in American political history (most of these pivotal paragraphs can be found here):

• A vision to overcome fear - Franklin D. Roosevelt 
• A vision to resist atomic devastation - Dwight Eisenhower
• A vision for a Great Society - Lyndon B. Johnson
• A vision for a space race - John F. Kennedy
• A vision for heroism - Ronald Reagan
• A vision to overcome grief - Ronald Reagan
• A vision for a more perfect union - Barack Obama
• A vision for unity - Martin Luther King Jr.

These visions moved us, captured us, drew us together, inspired us to greatness. 

Where is the vision for the 21st Century America? We live in a vision vacuum.

Do you see a grander vision for America? If so, what do you see? I would love to hear.

Post State of the Union Thoughts

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So...

...State of the Union meets The Apprentice meets Undercover Boss meets Extreme Makeover: White House Edition. It was an interesting night. I remember my first State of the Union, back in 2003. I fell asleep in it. I didn't fall asleep in this one. There were some inspiring moments to me: the reunion of the military couple and the granting of a scholarship. There were some disturbing moments to me: the chanting of 4 more years and H.R. 3, the eruption and subsequent removal of a distraught father after hearing about the second amendment promises. There were some divisive moments for me: the failure to shake hands with the speaker of the house, ripping up the advanced copy of the speech. Each had their reasons.

I'm not really going to get into the policy or the politics of this State of the Union. The criticisms and defenses of each side of the aisle were identical but voiced oppositely when President Obama gave his State of the Union speeches. It's a merry go round at the moment.

What I did feel though was that there was a missed opportunity: to cast a compelling vision that will raise our country towards unified action. I was hoping for admission of our division and a call for being better together. There were elements of it: a trillion trees, a million scholarships, the first man and woman on Mars. But I did not find President Trump inspiring about these suggestions. And it was hard to consider, even believe, them when they were drowned out by the partisan agenda of the rest of the speech.

The State of the Union is no longer about the Union. For many presidencies now it has been about advancing a partisan agenda, bolstering polls, starting, solidifying or strengthening campaign rhetoric. Last night was the same, with President Trump's personal flavor.

What was missing was the call to grow and advance the country, and because of America's influence, the world. The State of the Union was missing a uniting vision with grand ideas and goals. I would love to see that in our country and in future State of the Union's.

The State of Our Union...

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It's just under 20 minutes to the State of the Union, and no doubt we will hear the common refrain said at most State of the Union speeches: "The State of our Union is strong".

This is not the word I would use. For me, the state of our union is chaos.

People will cite the strong economy, a strong military, strong trade agreements, strong borders, strong employment stats but my eyes focus on other things:

...a president currently on trial (and most likely will be acquitted tomorrow morning) in an impeachment process fraught on both sides with lack of due process
...a senate split by partisanship on just about every issue
...a senate and house stalled and making little progress of actually governing the country
...Iowa Caucuses that are a disaster (and who knows what will happen in other state primaries)
...media trumpeting their agendas and denigrating the opposition
...a divided country on Roe V Wade
...a divided country on wage
...a divided country on equality
...a vice president and speaker of the house who aren't even looking at each other let alone speaking to each other

It's chaos with a veneer of formality and civility.

We can do better. I want our leaders to do better.

These issues amongst others, steal our focus from being the agent for freedom, justice and advancement in the world. These issues and the dragging of our focus inward rob us of the ability to contribute to the great advancement of our world and our species. Great endeavors face us: colonizing a new planet, exploring space, promoting a healthier world through profound and courageous legislation on the environment, medical advancement and discovery and the invention of new technology that might propel us to greater peace and prosperity.

I believe it is chaos...

...but I also believe we could admit that and then call ourselves to something greater.

I hope President Trump might call us to a greater vision and a higher dream of a country working with others to do great things!

Yes it's chaos, but we can overcome that and do better. Maybe that could be our legacy for our children...we did better!

Kobe Bryant: a reminder of our mortality

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The sudden death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and 7 others has left people in shock. From the tears of Doc Rivers trying to process this to the crowds standing and chanting at the Staples Arena his passing has impacted many. I, too, was impacted. For me, it came from a post by Jen Hatmaker expressing comfort and sorrow for Kobe's wife, Vanessa. In one day, she lost her husband and a child. I cannot begin to imagine that grief. Another family lost a wife and child in the same crash.

Kobe's death reminds us of our own mortality: the reality that at any moment we could die. His death leaves us adrift, shocked and in denial at what happened, wondering about when it will happen to us. I've seen pastors comment in comfort, people mourn in public and private and the ripple effect of this event spread across the world.

With that in mind, as we draw comfort from each other, as we love on our children and spouses dreading the nightmare that is Vannessa's reality right now, let's allow this grief to spark us into living differently. Don't leave for tomorrow what could be done today.

President Obama commented that Kobe was getting started on a second act that would have been just as meaningful as his basketball career. While he is gone, let's make Kobe's second act our actions. Don't leave for tomorrow the loving action, the courageous stand, the inspiring action that can be done today. Let's make a difference, because as Kobe's death reminds us, tomorrow might never come.

Nelson and Martin

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It has been two days since Martin Luther King Jr Day. As usual, my comments filled my feeds and news about activities, comments, quotes and thoughts about the impact of Reverend King. And as predictably, criticism of people's support and quotes was present too.

As an immigrant to the US, my history is of a different black man who fought for justice and civil rights: Nelson Mandela. To my knowledge they never met, but they fought for the same things: dignity, equality, justice. They find commonality in the phrase "free at last" where I believe President Mandela quoted Reverend King when he was released. Their fight was similar, but their outcomes completely different. Reverend King was assassinated, while President Mandela was imprisoned, released and then elected president of the very country that imprisoned him. 

Just like the responses to Reverend King this past Monday, so too, President Mandela was quoted and referenced too. In a similar vein, people also brought to attention all the unpopular views and statements of President Mandela.

Here's an example: people like to quote Reverend King's dream speech. Others critique by quoting Reverend King's views on capitalism. President Mandela is often quoted for his statements about dying for a cause while others critique him for being a terrorist.

This has bugged me: not because they are inaccurate, but because I'm not sure of the point. Let me pose my...irritation seems the right word...as questions:

• What is the end goal of criticizing someone's support of of who you support?
• Is it possible that you can support one part of a person's philosophy without agreeing with all of it?
• Do we allow people to grow and change, even if that change is frustratingly slow?
• Why criticize their change and growth in support?
• Is it possible to celebrate these two men without that celebration becoming a weapon of division, which, I think, neither would have endorsed?

These are just my thoughts this week on this. Happy to hear your thoughts, even if they are criticisms.

As for President Mandela and Reverend King, I think they would have been great friends. In fact, I would love to have been in a room over dinner listening to them talk. Based on the fact that they both professed faith in Christ, I believe they might just be sitting chatting together, not as Reverend and President, but as Nelson and Martin.

If we listen closely, we might just hear their echoes and find some wisdom for our day. 

Speak on, Nelson and Martin.

World War 3 - Really?

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World War 3 began trending this past week on Google. I've seen posts about it throughout my feeds about scared kids and angry people. This comes on the back of what I thought was a pretty peaceful first 20 years of the new century. Yes there are issues and conflicts, but 100 years ago we were emerging from the Great War. A large part of the world had been at war. Hundreds of thousands had been killed. It felt like the war to end all wards. But that century wasn't done and worse wars came. We don't want that in this century.

We seem to be waiting with bated breath for World War 3. But really? Is the world at war? Will the world be at war because of recent events? I don't think so. 

Some countries may be fighting in sporadic conflicts. Some countries may even declare war against each other in coming days. And that would be a travesty. War is not good. It is sometimes necessary, but it isn't good. But is the world really going to be at war? A New York Post op-ed headlined with "Enough with the Ridiculous World War 3 talk". While the op-ed is obviously a specific point of view, and I don't agree with all that is written in it, I tend to agree with the sentiment. Let's stop making the current issues a World War 3 trend.

Let's stop talking about World War 3 with what feels like a wishful tone. I think it dishonors those who lived through the world wars of the past century. They wouldn't want a world war again. I don't want one. I don't want any war. We have much larger issues facing us and wars are a distraction to solving those problems.

There may be wars coming - and we may feel the need to oppose those wars. However, I believe we might want to scale our conversation to be more accurate. It's war - not world war.

Are the polls accurate about Biden?

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Joe Biden continues to lead the national polls. Are these polls accurate?

The impeachment process continues in the House, with a Senate hearing coming. In the meantime, Democratic candidates work to win the nomination for presidency. The national polls all show Biden in the lead (by as much as 8-9%). Can they be trusted? These same polls showed Hillary Clinton winning in 2016. They were wrong.

While these polls are of Democratic voters, are they reliable?

I'm thinking not. This is not a comment on Biden's platform or presidency. It is a comment on the reliability of polls. Polls are, in my opinion, a projection of our intentions as voters. But, intentions don't get votes. Votes are cast by those who show up and vote. So, I don't think I trust these polls or the conclusions you might draw from them for a possible winner in the Democratic Race.

I'm interested in your thoughts. Do you think these polls are reliable?

Impeachment and Our Work Going Forward

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Articles of Impeachment were unveiled today against President Trump.

• Article 1: Abuse of power
• Article 2: Obstruction of congress 

The spin cycles are already working overtime. Each side selects their facts and argues their position. None of this is new to us.

Yet what is the impact on the voter?

I was involved in a brief discussion today about how people are feeling as the impeachment process continues. The discussion was around how stressed people are. I think they are very stressed. Emotions are high; tolerance is low and frustration is growing.  With it a level of vitriol and dehumanization is growing that is causing damage to our personal and national psyche that will take years to address. What is happening to us is damaging us.

I implore you, regardless of your position on parties or issues respect the dignity of yourself, the dignity of others and the dignity of our world to speak with grace, truth and respect. Don't allow the political war to dictate your battles, your weapons or your victims. Choose a better way. At the end of the political year we are about to enter, we will have to look each other in the eye and commit to building our lives and our communities together. Let's not tear it down before we get there and drive a wedge so deep between us that we cannot unite again.

Maybe, this year we could build something stronger, despite our political differences.
Maybe this year we could be better, stronger, smarter.
Maybe this year we could be what we are: free people with the privilege to vote, but the mandate to love.

To speak or not to speak, that is the question.

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Politics and the Church have a long history. They have been linked for generations and some of the greatest evils have been perpetuated when religion and politics have mixed together and endorsed each other.

A Pew Research Center article from November 15, 2019 reveals that 2/3 of those surveyed want churches to stay out of politics, while 1/3 want churches to express their view on day-to-day social and political questions. (Pew Research Center Article: Americans Have Positive Views about Religion's Role in Society but Want it Out of Politics)

I have seen or heard of churches (this is beyond just a preacher, but also charities supported, issues addressed, topics promoted or resisted in a church) doing following:

• actively endorse a candidate even handing out mock voting documents to guide people in how to vote for the endorsed candidate
• critique members of their congregation for voting opposite to the expressed view of the preacher
• remain silent on all things political (apolitical)
• actively endorse, or passively support, a specific political worldview
• lose and gain members for being silent or speaking out on political issues

Churches, through their culture, issues they focus on or avoid, posters, displays or promotions in their lobby, newsletter or social media profile, address politics all the time. Even those churches that choose to be apolitical are involved in politics, even unintentionally. I served as a volunteer in a church that chose to be apolitical during the Apartheid years in South Africa. It suffered a terrorist attack for being silent where 11 people were killed and dozens injured. The church was seen as a "soft-white" target, and supportive of Apartheid for failing to speak out about it.

In the midst of this challenge is also the call of the church to be prophetic in the culture it exists. Does this mean in politics too?

This makes me wonder what you think. Should a church engage in addressing political concepts and events? Should a church speak about this or not? 

What do you think?

Half Empty or Half Full

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So, the latest poll in the impeachment process is out.

The poll asks the following question: Based on what you have read or heard, do you believe that President Trump should be impeached and removed from office, or don't you feel that way?

The results are exactly as they were when this same poll was taken in October - 50% of those asked responded that President Trump should be impeached and removed from office. It is slightly up from when the poll was initiated in June (42%). The same link for the poll results above shows comparison polls about President Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

No one is surprised at the lack of movement and everyone is doing their best to portray the result one way or the other. This is part of the reason why I think many (some, few - not sure of the right metric here) people don't seem phased by the impeachment process: they don't think it will make a difference in the end. Maybe it will, but I tend to agree with them. This is a dance with the result already decided.

So, is this result a glass half empty or half full for you. I am honestly interested in your view. What does this poll mean to you? Is 50% a good sign or bad sign?

The Real Peach in the Impeachment Hearings

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Tomorrow the impeachment hearings on President Trump begin.

Each side has for some time been preparing their defense. Media is frothing at the mouth in anticipation. Most of us will be tracking the headlines and details from our prospective areas in the days to come.

But it all makes me wonder: with people having already decided their conclusions and rebuttals, what is the real impact of the impeachment process.

Well, for one thing, our government has ground to a halt. Congress isn't passing any bills, or it's so weighed down that movement is less noticeable than paint drying. For another, the two party system is stretching wider and wider apart and we the voters, are the ones standing with one foot on the boat and the other on the dock as we slowly contemplate when we will fall into the lake of political disaster. Law and the focus on justice seems to have been replaced by a Shibboleth test around loyalty to the president.

So, tonight as I listen to my 5th grader practice his band music and work hard to find the right notes, the sound reminds me of our political system. We can recognize the tune, understand the notes, even feel proud at how good it seems, but we all know it's far from perfect. It's not the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In fairness to my 5th grader, we don't expect it to be. And when we go to the school concerts, we go to support their work and effort because we know it is children learning to play.

But our current political system charges us the price of hearing the Boston Orchestra, has all the pomp and ceremony of a professional production and then launches into a cacophony of 5th grade chaos. And that's why I think it's the American voter who is the real peach in the impeachment hearings. We're the suckers paying the price for something less than we need.

So let's fix it.

Let's vote for something and someone better. Let's vote for people who will work towards a better future for the country and the world, because as the world goes, so we go.

Let's get back to a political system that hums with the musical electricity of tight execution, perfectly mouthed notes and a crescendo that brings the world to a standing ovation because of its profundity and beauty. Let's have a system that leads in the world, instead of being the laughing stock.

Who's with me?

The Flag: An Invitation to Dream

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I am an immigrant.
Born in South Africa.
Living in American.
An American Citizen.

And I believe in the value at the core that is America - freedom.

Each time I hear the national anthem being played, I am struck by the origin of the words, and the rising tempo of the music. It strikes within my heart and reverberates through my soul.

I believe in freedom. 
I believe in each person's right to freedom.
I believe in the duty to fight for freedom.
I believe in the privilege to die for freedom.
And I believe even more passionately that we are called to live for freedom.

These words, penned by Francis Scott Key as he watched the bombing of Fort McHenry in the war of 1812, a war fought over, in part, the restriction of trade and impressment of American sailors; these words capture the essence of our call to freedom:

"Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave,

For the land of the free, and the home of the brave"

That same value is expressed by my country of birth, South Africa, in their national anthem. A national anthem proudly sung this past weekend as South Africa won the Rugby World Cup, with words ringing as clear in my soul:

"Let us live and strive for freedom,

In South Africa our land"

Yes, 

I am an immigrant.

Born in South Africa.
Living in American.

An American Citizen.

But

I am a person of freedom who wants everyone to be free.

I just wish our political leaders would live for it as highly as they say they value it.

We have a history, in both countries, and around the world, of people who have lived and died for freedom. 

So let's be a land of the free, 

filled with free people 

who live and strive for freedom, 

as we create a world 

where one day, 

every person, 

regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, orientation, age, ability, class, income or status 

will be free.

The Flag and our anthems invite us to dream, and then to work.

Let's get to it.

Where have they gone?

Photo by Bob Bowie on Unsplash

I believe the missing ingredient to America's successful political future is the centrist.

Where have they gone?

Pushed out by extremists on both sides, victims to the demand for ratings, sidelined by hot takes and gossipy soundbites, centrists are a dying breed in America - or at least a silent breed.

How can we get them back?

We need a space in politics that allows us to cross the divide between topics. I don't lean left on all political subjects, but I don't lean right on all of them either. And some won't like this, but for me, as a Christian, neither the Republican nor the Democratic platforms cover the depth or breadth of Christian responses to claim that they speak for me. I disagree and agree with each platform depending on the subject.

For years I have felt that America needs a third party in the electoral vote (no, not that party). We need a third party somewhere between the extremes of the right and left. And maybe a fourth or fifth. Ok, maybe that party too!

Democracies are vibrant systems that foster debate, learning and the changing of minds for the betterment of our society.

But currently, our democracy is a bloody fight with losers on both sides. People who change their minds are called flip-floppers and seen as liars. And centrists who want to make a difference are forced towards extremism to get a voice.

Imagine a discussion where we can learn from each other, find agreement on solutions, rather than winning points in a debate. What if we worked towards something and built a better society for all of us. Let's get that third party...I'm Dorian Botsis, and no, I'm not running for anything in 2020 - well, maybe for a chocolate bar at the store.

How I will vote in 2020.

Photo by Parker Johnson on Unsplash

2020 is a new election year - as if anyone could have missed it!

It will be my second national election in the USA. So as I prepare for the onslaught of calls, ads, social media pushes and promotions of the various candidates I am considering doing something I have not done before: actually categorizing and prioritizing my voting issues and criteria. In my previous elections here in the US and in South Africa I voted based on a candidate's appeal, as long as they were not directly opposed to a specific value or core belief of my own. But that is too simplistic these days.

So, that gets me to a question: how do you prioritize or categorize your voting issues?

I'm a novice in this area and open to learning, so please share what you think.

Here are my current thoughts about issues important to me (not ranked by priority). These are stated more as subjects to think about, rather than positional statements. In future posts I hope to explore these subjects and evaluate candidates against them:

• Government size:a government large enough to care (provide, support, keep safe, grow and develop) those within its border, but not so large that it becomes a burden to those same people. This would include infrastructure, healthcare, taxes, education, judicial, legislative and executive powers.
• Security:the maintenance of peace within the borders and protection from attack beyond the borders, but not to the point of policing or fighting pointless battles in foreign countries. Included here is the development of privacy and security online as well as offline as well as foreign policy.
• A Global Worldview: focused on securing the safety and health of the entire world collaboratively with other nations. In this section I would resist nationalism generally, but extreme nationalism specifically, as a value. It would include the environment, the space race, scientific endeavors and the eradication of dangerous global events.
• Religious Freedom: the right for all people to practice what they believe as long as that does not impose on the practice of others.

Those are my current top issues. What would you add, delete, change or improve? And far more importantly, how would you be informed about these issues?