How will President Obama keep Americans engaged?

[Pat Coyle]

The crowds and cameras are gone. The tuxedos and dresses tucked away. If history is any indication, many Americans will begin to focus more on their own lives, and less on others; but our new leader's message of hope hinges on our participation, not just our agreement.

So how will President Obama keep America engaged and focused on the "common good," and not drift back to our own special interests?

What strategies do you think he could employ in order to keep Americans not just believing in "change," but actively participating in making change?

And is there anything you are planning to do to make sure you participate in the process today, tomorrow and over the long term?

What can Smaller Indiana do to be part of the continuing solution?

Please share your thoughts here, or better yet, suggest some actions?

[Darrell G. Walton]

The first thing Obama needs put out of question is his new ideals of bucking the morals of our country by giving in to giving groups engaged in the culture wars (homosexual and abortion agendas) seeking special interest recognition and rights.
This war will be intensely fought to the point to where it will overpower and overshadow those more urgent things such as the economy that's matters to all walks of life equally.
Like all special interest groups they will have their hands out expecting we the people, bow down and set our freedoms aside for their dominance socially and financially. Dare we complain and rebel against paying the price and cost for the statistically proven manifestations of their ill deeds on society, we become the oppressed and imprisoned. (You don't prosper in jail) Our nation just doesn't have time for that now as we are in rescue disaster mode now.
The good thing it will spawn is more people with see it as a necessary thing as to be involved in the political and legislative processes in the same numbers we seen in the elections in writing their Congressmen and women. Hopefully with more involved we can focus more on the urgent and the important that matters for the common good to all Americans equally instead of a militant immoral minority few.
Sites such as SI can forward discussion blogs on the issues at hand to those in office making the decisions from here in Indiana all the way to Washington. SI can pose the questions pro and con and send the poll results and comments the same. SI with memebrship resources and connections, could host perhaps "town hall" meeting events with our Legislators and Congressmen and women that will go beyond the walls of SI to the general public as well. Make the roundtables bigger, better and more inclusive through networking!

Darrell G. Walton

[David Monroe]

As far as I know we all have a voice and a vote. We are all equally protected and have the same rights. There is no proviso for religious belief, color, sexual orientation, skin or eye color. Reminding others of that is one way we can lead and actively participate. Good example. Having loved ones who are gay and knowing people in long-term, loving active relationships, being wonderful, loving parents; volunteers; mentors; active members in their church and role models makes me keenly aware that not every person who is gay is a bad person, nor, of course are they all good. So was somewhat confused by your "ill deeds ... will imprison us" comment. I questioned how it relates to being a leader or role model or actively participating in making change? Unless it's to pose the question "What causes this personal imprisonment?" Hatred? Bigotry? Narrow mindedness? Fear? Then of course I agree with you. Those things do imprison us and I pray for those folks. Not succumbing to them and rising above and appealing to "the better angels of our nature" is another way to lead by example.

I do like your idea of doing the polls and sending the poll results in. Town hall meetings too. I would say maybe on a smaller, more local level. School boards, City councils, township boards (while they're around).

[Darrell G. Walton]

To clarify; There is no God given reason to hate anyone. There's the old saying, "Love the sinner, but hate the sin." There is not one of us who are guiltless.
What I'm talking about is all of the ramifications from these two groups of what they are trying to do with all of our individual fredoms.
Just look at all the hypocrisy with the gay community with the passing of Proposition 8 that has spawned a new wave of militant violence and intimidation.
Look at the legislation brewing in the same groups advocating The Fairness In Broadcasting to be passed as law. Do you want to microscopically examine every word you say for fear of prosecution and imprisonment as it could be constituted as a "hate speech" crime? The same if you read your Bible or anyother book that's contrary to their agenda. What comes next and next? What group comes next to do the same? Talk about a biased change evolving their will and control over us all will hamper and stymy the changes many are seeking for the good of all at the gate.
As for "ill deeds" why do you think insurance companies whether its life or health coverages ask the questions per sexual behavior, HIV, etc.? Because all of their insured have to make up the differences with higher rates. Those without insurance over tax the Medicaid and Medicare insurances at all tax payers expenses. All statistically deadly avoidable immoral conduct. Denying those facts is where politcal correctness has financially caused Lady Liberty to stumble.
Why should any minority group per sexual orientation get special priviledges impeding the liberties of a whole nation?
Being a leader isn't ever to be a popularity contest and everybody can't always get what they want. A leader must prioritize between the urgent and the important for the better good of all. Even though I don't condone or agree with most any special interest groups agendas, I don't discount there importance to those of such beliefs. But what I am saying is a leader should know this isn't the time to be distracted by all of that. The urgent for all Americans regardless of where our walks are is to be Americans and pull together and fix our economy so no matter what your politics, ideals, orientations, etc. etc. is or are, we're in this together as so we all can work, eat, and have clothing and shelter.

[David Monroe]

I see what your saying and this isn't the topic to heavily debate that. I appreciate how thoughtful and passionate you are too. I really do. I just see it as a human rights issue. I feel I know that no one chooses to be gay, they are or they aren't. It's not an illness or a sin or a sickness. It's basic genetics. God and genetics made them so. I see it in terms that one can't change their skin color, eye color (well... contacts), but that's were I'm coming from. It's what I believe, what my church believes what most of the World believes and human rights is not an issue to brush to the side. Leaders can focus on multiple tasks. In my mind that's a basic definition of being a leader. Accepting that fact is not going to destroy western civilization, but strengthen it, strengthen us as a nation and as citizens of the World. I doubt I will sway you, and I appreciate your tolerance, your faith and your fellowship in Christ. Peace.

[Darrell G. Walton]

I see what you're saying as well. But right now the plate is so full now for any one leader or society that has already drawn the battle lines so selfishly for their own causes. The one common thing we have to work on for a start to much more to work through is the economy. If we all come together with this undertaking as a country, and make it together through this one. It would prove to all of us we can work through any of the rest of the issues many see differently between each other. We all can learn much from each other when we set aside our "me" issues in a time for the better good of all. Peace To You My Brother!

[Amy Stark]

Life threw some lesser things at me that required my attention, so this was the first chance I read this sub-thread.

I know David is a Hoosier, all you need do is look at the main image on his blog. http://seekinginthezeitgeist.blogspot.com/

And I think Darrell is a Hoosier based on his statement, "We all can learn much from each other when we set aside our "me" issues in a time for the better good of all. Peace To You My Brother!," Very Hoosier-esque, IMHO. Don't you think the entire world could benefit from this type of civil discourse?

Rudyard Kipling said, "East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet." I think if Kipling were alive today, he would say, "East is East and West is West and they're tweeting about Mark Twain." ---- If there are any book publishers reading this, that is the title of my book. Up until now, the title was going to be, "What if Buddha and Aristotle shared emails?"

[David Monroe]

Thanks Amy! I appreciate the compliment and the "pimping" of my blog (and my way groovy Keds!) I should apologize though. While I truly do think Darrell was a gentleman in his responses and I also attempted to be Hoosierly hospitable and or Quakerly, I should have simply pointed out that some of the pointed remarks against gays and those who support the current law of the land concerning "Roe V Wade" as off topic and irrelevant. Or just ignored it completely. But due to something very very disturbing that just had happened to my ex-brother in law, his partner, their beautiful daughter while they were with my daughter at a local mall. This happened to people I love and in front of my daughter and was still with me. I let that bleed into this thread. It was was off topic and irrelevant on my part and I apologize. As a Quaker, there is a part of our worship that is silent until a member is so moved by "the Light" to speak a thought, a prayer, a meditation, a poem, a verse, a concern, etc. I guess I was moved, but should have maintained self-control and not bitten on to the bait.

I'd encourage Darrell to stay as much on topic as possible. Share your beliefs in your blog or post a question such as this to open up debate. Or show how your beliefs can help answer the question posed. Continuing to post off topics with such charged commentary could get you, perhaps unfairly, labeled a "troll" and get your comments removed by a less tolerant host. Peace.

[Nicki Laycoax]

The current leaders need to try to open their eyes to the potential leaders around them. So often, I've been next to someone that is capable of doing so much, yet, they don't do anything in fear that they'll do it wrong. In some cases, people just don't know where to start.

It is our responsibility as leaders, as Jason is mentioning, to start with our neighbors, then their neighbors, and create a snowball effect. Good is contagious. We just need to remain aware, open to who has the willingness to lead, and actively affect the youth. They will be the ones that make the difference to make that lasts.

[Amy Stark]

Hey Nicki... Let's get this party started. Your poll was fabulous, and among the early adopters I think we should go with #Indiana I have been throwing the #Indiana out a little bit here and there while tending to my @replies DMs and new followers this morning. But I haven't checked the stream yet.

I tried to start #manicMonday and even found the You Tube entry from the Bangles. I was feeling all clever, until I searched for the # thread, I saw some random guy tried #manicmonday months ago. His avatar was first, and it was like fingernails on a chalkboard for my competitive nature.

We should lay a foundation of Fat Finger hash tags.. #Indian #IIndianana do you know what I mean?
What if just the early adopters started a fat finger Indiana hashtag . Whatever one they want to stake a claim to, they will agree to watch that particular hash tag stream. If a wayward soul lands in the incorrect hash-tag steam, a friendly Hoosier will be waiting to direct them to right place.

Anyhow- Let's just start doing it today... right now... Every #followfriday should feature only one recommendation, and it should be a Hoosier. (e.g. Hey #followfriday I I hugged this person at the Smaller #Indiana soiree, you should follow them"

[David Monroe]

So how will President Obama keep America engaged and focused on the "common good," and not drift back to our own special interests? What strategies do you think he could employ in order to keep Americans not just believing in "change," but actively participating in making change?

My suggestions:
This question of course assumes that participation in the "change" process is a matter of choice when in fact its a matter of ability. The first step should be to bring all people to equal ability to participate in the democratic process. With massive inequalities in education, standard of living, and access to resources - we are clearly not there yet. We have those who don't even know whether they will get to eat tonight - worrying about participating in "change" is the farthest thing from their minds. So first revive U.S. Economic Growth and do so in a way that re-founds the social contract ensuring opportunity and security to most Americans. If President Obama delivers the goods economically with more social fairness, he'll be applauded by the vast majority, no matter what the government deficit may be over the medium run. We are going to have big deficits either way -- that's been ensured -- but the question is whether the U.S. economy will soon work better for most families. Get them back to work, back paying bills, their children back in school and their tax dollars into the treasury. The Government can't do it all. We can volunteer to participate in our local charities, churches, shelters, etc. Other religious, non-profits, etc. need to roll up their sleeves. All social-service programs should be 100% fully-funded and acting at an emergency level. When citizens are fully able to participate in this change then...

Perform acts of generosity on the peoples behalf.

Environmental and infrastructure challenges must be on the way to being met.

Link community leaders with schools and openly invite ideas, internship-for-a-day programs or other activities that marry "the process" with a reality that children in schools understand.

Inform and educate the electorate! Re-establish the teaching of world and U.S. History and Geography as priorities in the education system.

Show children how participating in government affects them on a personal level. For example, show them how much it costs to build and maintain roads, or outfit and feed a soldier, or pick up trash. Most people take the services for granted, and expect both the federal and local governments to work for free. The money just magically appears, like out of our wallets or ATM machines. Show the direct affect of deserting our public schools and public health care system by showing the burden a dropout or homeless person places on the taxpayer. We pay for it one way or another - we might as well go back to a system that works.

The challenge is to convince people that their vote counts and that it can really make a difference. This is going to be a tough sell. They've heard it all before and have turned a deaf ear to any politician regurgitating the same old rhetoric. Lead by example from the top down.

I worry that our youth is missing the truth and honor of "personal integrity" and need to learn democratic integrity first from their parents and then from public role models such as teachers, community leaders and elected officials.

Be an active parent: Active parenting provides a forum to share and to hear ideas, solutions, praise, criticism, etc. as well as an understanding that one's ideas should always be heard, considered and respected, but not necessarily always taken. This foundation then naturally expands into school where teachers may mirror this.

Create a Secretary of the Arts.

Provide our youth with knowledge of the Arts: setting aside a protected "Fund for the Arts". Distributed to schools to purchase supplies, pay salaries, go on field trips, rent films, etc so that this generation of children will have a knowledge and appreciation of art, above and apart from their personal spiritual or political views. This isn't off topic. The more well rounded our youth are, the better and more informed and active citizens they will be.

Make sure that your children have access to computers. If children don't understand basic tech going into this Century it's like entering your son or daughter in a race, but just before they run, you tie one leg behind them and say, "good luck!" See Amy's post on the One Laptop program as a wonderful example of this.

[Darrell G. Walton]

Very Well Said David!

[Amy Stark]

ditto -- Except for the part about creating another Secretary of Anything. The list of Governmental Agency success stories is not lengthy.

The best thing the government can do to support the arts is to allow capitalism to flourish so people can afford to go to concerts and take their kids to museums. What if the government allowed performing arts organizations to be tax exempt from paying all federal taxes.