There are several countries that establish an independent commission to oversee the electoral process--some board that assures no person that is involved with an election could possibly be subject to threat or receive a gratuity or reward due to the win of one candidate or another.
But due to the avalanche of threats and accusations hurled at those who administer the elections in the US, I believe we ought to change the system run by an independent commission--not given to party preference.
Guyana, one of the fastest growing countries in the world, economically, and member of Caricom, the Caribbean Common Market, is along-time friend of the United States. Its current President Ali gave an upbeat vision of the country's future, given its recently developing oil reserves and its dynamic approach to making Guyana technologically advanced and ever-absorbing in new knowledge and techniques.
It may be, too, that this country can help out in the need for oil and gas in the EU and elsewhere as Russia is being phased out as supplier to the West. President Ali that emphasized his commitment to retain the forests of his country even as Brazil, its southern neighbor, has greatly diminished its reserves for farm production. He is looking to a program of oil and gas low-carbon development.
Mr. Mark Green, President of the Wilson Center introduced him and subsequent to President Ali's remarks, Amb. Thomas A. Shannon Jr. of Arnold and Porter made comments on the presentation.
By what President Ali brought out in his talk, Guyana is interested in outside-the-country investors, e.g., from the United States and in international up-to-date business and technological advances applicable to keeping his country in the forefront of making not only his people skilled in the latest and in demand, but those in other Caricom countries, too.
Clearly, this leader is listening to what new knowledge is being developed worldwide and has established centers in his country for distributing and training how the world turns!
The discussion was held online on July 26, 2022 10AM. There was a fireside chat between Ms. Katie Hobbs, Arizona state government, the Secretary of State and Ms. Elaine Kamarck of Brookings. It was followed by a panel discussion of the topic by Ms. Kamarck; Edgardo Cortes, Brennan Center for Justice; and Professor Gabriel Sanchez, University of New Mexico.
I was so struck by the revelation of Ms. Hobbs of the threats of violence to her person, as the result of claims of election fraud brought by the Trump Campaign for the 2020 election and others, that I am refraining any comment on the discussion, given the fact that those involved in the election process have been inadvertently placed in harms way, so to speak.
My major comment is that each election board of the state governments across the country should be chosen outside of the political system. In many countries the matter of election is left to an independent board appointed--however it can be assured that no political party has been involved. Given the current allegations made against the system as it has traditionally been conducted in the United States, I don't believe any persons involved in it can rest at night assured for their own protection and safety, given that "the big Lie" is still out and will be circulating in future elections, no matter what.
That is, the system involving political parties and governmental workers must be replaced, in my opinion by a board, with no party, in particular, affiliation. Importantly, no member of an election commission should hold state office. There are plenty of such boards in countries that use an independent system of electing.
Given the problems with the current system in the USA. evidently--the Secretary of State in Arizona has been subject to harassing calls and threats to her person and that of her family. Another system to utilize the election process must be utilized, in my opinion.
Today, I've been listening to the America First dogma of the "We're so great mentality!", probably, Trump supporters.
Don't forget that the scientific break throughs of the 20th and 21st Century were because we brought to this country, TO OUR SHORES; NAY, WE WELCOMED FOREIGNERS! Don't be deluded by the "we know it all crowd."
Einstein wasn't from this country. I could go on and on how we have welcomed other people the world over! Our greatness isn't because we are acting like the Russians, like the Chinese persuaded by Communist nonsense, but because of our willingness to accept others--other points of view; other gestalts-- and learn from them--AND THEN DO AS we AND THEY SAY, NOT AS PRIDEFUL BOASTFUL DO NOTHINGS LIKE TRUMP who tell a good fib!
I hope that President Biden doesn't take this country down the path of isolationism or THAT OF self-gloating bigots!
Open those borders and be surprised, amazed. Semiconductors will be replaced by the next generation of sparkling ideas! Don't be lulled into complacency that we're the know-it-alls. WE WORK WITH THOSE FROM ANYWHERE THAT COME TO WORK WITH US FOR THE SAKE OF THE PLANET AND NEW KNOWLEDGE!
Let the doors to this country be opened--bearing the sign to all: WELCOME. WE'RE WILLING TO LEARN FROM YOU;WE'RE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU!
The moderator for the topic was Ms. Vanda Felbab-Brown of Brookings; and the discussion was online July 25, 2022 10 to 11:30 AM. Panelist participants were Ms. Heather Coyne, Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, United Nations; Adams Day, United Nations University; Richard Gowan, UN Director, International Crisis Group; and Ms. Rachel Kleinfeld, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
At the risk of giving the opinion consensus on the topic, as far as I could tell, it was contained in the comment of Mr. Day: (to the effect that) the analysts who have looked at the outcomes when nation-building has been tried at least by the UN is a dismal failure overall. Oh yes, there's been some success: the distribution of humanitarian aid; a cease-fire, perhaps; but nothing that could be said to be a really change for the better for the country wherein it was tried. He suggested that perhaps the goal should be less all encompassing: try to achieve some regional change in business practice or diminished resumption of military conflict.
Nevertheless there has been a lasting cease-fire in Ethiopia; and if Eritrea is not involved in the near civil war that waged bitterly across its border, the effort to bring about peace has worked.
Be that as it may, I am somewhat familiar with the former Vice President's system of nation-building used, I think successfully in Iraq and in Afghanistan but with less success as the Taliban have taken over the country. Indeed, I am aware how the Russians took over Afghanistan, then left it to the Americans, when to try our luck!
But I became convinced that Cheney was onto something big in nation-building, US style. In Iraq, I woul say the concept was quite successful. The model used was to get the warring factions together after Hussein was out of the way, and set out to form a new government composed of both Shi'a and Sunnis, primarily. Not only this, but the US got the economy back running through contract to an oil producing giant. A divided government--true--but with major factions represented. The cleric al-Sadr has been instrumental in bringing Iran in to quiet things next door! I think there may be still United States troops there--in no hurry to depart.
In Afghanistan, the project of nation-building was down to only 2,500 American troops on Afghan soil. But many Americans were objecting to the drug traffic that was growing the poppy seeds in Afghan fields; and the Afghans themselves were unenthused by the regime in Kabul that seemed to them no better than the Taliban who ruled or controlled the countryside beyond Kabul and some prominent cities where US had some control.
The point is there was no need for our President to have made a deal whereby the United States troops would pull out entirely leaving the country on its own; and the Taliban right there. The Afghan people were looking to us; and we were showing them Western ways.
Nation-building takes time and troops; and the United States acted precipitously in running away--like in South Korea at the Seoul Airport--or don't our memories go back that far!
As the participants in this assessment pointed out, nation-building is an arduous undertaking that perhaps takes several years, even thirty years to work; and even so, an efficient government with strong citizen backing to make it work.
There are many English who wonder what is going on? The pandemic, inflation, Russian threat to foodstuffs and gas and oil, and the attacks on democracy as a form of government--all bombarding the English Isles at once! Meantime, GB exports abroad--suffering; and there's the Northern Irish question with only stopgap remedies.
Well, Great Britain is standing together with the US as two bastions for the democratic form of government. GB's coming out from the EU, standing on its own and at the same time, showing the world a united front for democracy by its commitment to the Commonwealth of Nations, demonstrates that democracy works for the people, when the idea to being met with serious opposition from autocracies around the globe.
Together with the US, Great Britain supports democracy out of principle, in which both Americans and the British believe.
I hope things for Britain will get better. But the "coming out" for GB I think has been a very-needed help in making a stand for democracy for all the world to witness!
I recall how long it took for there to be a cease-fire in Yemen.
It's done a lot of good for the people in the area; and I'm supportive of its continuance.
I've been back in DC for the past 5 years working on government projects. But most of the past 40 years, I was out on the field working at various cities in "field" situations.
Just the other day, I was listening to CSPAN and someone brought up the idea of re-distributing the central headquarters of certain departments and agencies around the country. I applaud the idea, since I found invariably there's a cultural milieu that colors a particular locale that would have much less significance in the way the federal government functions in day-to-day transactions than when all the agencies and departments are in the same area of the country, viz., the DC district.
Moreover, some administrators just don't want to live in the northeast corner of the country! They want to raise their kids elsewhere, too!
Personally, I welcomed living around the country, but then I started my volunteering when I was near retirement age.
I recommend that the government be driven by hiring/bringing on a project team (many times as leader) the best thinkers that are doers and let these have deciding vote for agency/department headquarters. I know that sounds weird, but I have my reasons!
Anyway, I wanted to voice my opinion that I think it would be a good thing if all the major decision-making weren't fashioned in the same geological location of the country by people who come to think alike, culturally or go work in business!
Why from his good friend, President V. Putin of Russia. Russia and Venezuela have been allies for years. And, President Nicolas Maduro stayed in power after admitting he wasn't declared winner of a Presidential election in Venezuela. He stayed in power thereafter as President.
So, President Trump had the very best tutor on fraudulent hanky-panky elections because of the close ties Russia has maintained with Venezuela over the years. I think Russia continues to mine for gold there!
And, Trump knew well how to assert an election was invalid, if he but heeded the words of advice President Putin is prone to give, even when not even asked to. Were any of the crowd who stormed the Capitol on January 6 from Venezuela. They might have been sent to United States as Maduro's sign of support--e.g., "I'm with you, Trump!"
Given this historical background and present nation alignment, I would suspect that former President Trump will declare his candidacy for President in 2024. He's got all the information about keeping his "Lie" going from what he could have learned from the Maduro experience in Venezuela; or he might further consult with President Putin.
Tendency in all major advanced countries is to rely on the experts in a field. During the COVID pandemic, it was the CDC agency. Especially of concern is the EPA, whose pronouncements about the environment have met with resistance in business and industry over the years. Resulting in serious water pollution problems in the state of Michigan, for instance.
The issue that I think the Justices have identified correctly, is the failure of these governmental agencies to garner support and trust within the groups that are causing environmental pollution and concern.
Traditionally, as the framers of the Constitution would have wanted, when there's a social problem it would be brought to the attention of the Congress, where solution would be discussed and resolved. But with companies armed with war chests into the billions, they have made Congressmen immune from the lowly protests of scientific cadre of practitioners.
The situation of smoking causing lung cancer was resolved over many years during which the public could be apprised of the deleterious effects the practice wrought onto the citizenry.
So, rather than look upon the entrepreneurs as the "enemy," they must become the bearers of scientific knowledge and truth. That is to say, the companies themselves must employ among their ranks the scientists and field-wary practitioners to steer industry away from the wayward practices and technologies that are no longer advised or scientifically condoned. Specifically, the entrepreneurs themselves must become knowledgeable intellects in scientific data and interpretation!
That is to say, realistically, Congress can be a conduit for fostering right practice, but the particular industries themselves must be the promoters of right and environmentally sound practices and technologies. Particularly, the trade organizations must endorse the most current technological advances and see to it that other, possibly more ordinary, methods are no longer in vogue.
Surprisingly, industry is already accepting this new responsibility! The Justices are actually behind the times!
This rapid upheaval of the people has caused disorientation of a serious magnitude. I have mentioned this before to the government and they slowed down the pace.
But the condition caused among the people is yet being a cause for concern. President Xi is not attending to the issue sufficiently, probably because it is psychological in nature. The condition is known generically as alienation.
I suspect the situation is acute in Hong Kong, though it is throughout the country.
It is affecting the trade routes' scheduling adversely, in my opinion--having international repercussions.
My opinion.
