Mapping the Issues

Perhaps Memorial Day 2006 is a good time to ask if we are a nation that uses its GNP as an index of our true character, as individuals and as a nation. Martin Luther King was fond of saying that we never know what we are willing to live for unless we know what we will die for.
A nation that leads the world in the basic skills of consumption may be ready to ask the hard questions. What are our basic national values – the ones that we would be willing to die for?

Those who have followed this blog may agree that:

1. A growing number of Americans (whatever their political party or affiliations) feel the time is present for a serious national discussion of our basic values, especially in view of our role as the most economically and militarily powerful nation in the world today;

2. There is a broad perception that our nation has a limited time to set a new course for creative leadership to deal with global as well as domestic issues; and

3. Those concerned are skeptical about the potential for any existing political party to deal realistically and effectively with these issues.

So let me try to map out the terrain of issues that may form the broad agenda for a national discussion. The method and technology for this discussion is a future issue. For now, I just want to sketch the outline for a discussion... Each of these major topics will have numerous sub headings and issues. Here are a few major topics, and I await your additions, revisions and comments.

I. International

A. Structure and operations of the U.N.

B. Peace

C. International Law

D. Human Rights

E. Nuclear and Arms Proliferation

F. Environment

G. Trade

II. National

A. Basic Issues

1. Leadership – What is it individually and nationally?

2. Democracy – What kind do we have and what do we want?

3. Civic rights and responsibilities – What do we want and what are we willing to give?

B. Regional Issues

1. Northeast

2. Mid Atlantic

3. Southeast

4. Midwest

5. Southwest

6. Northwest

7. Mountain States

8. West Coast

9. Border States

C. Economics and wealth disparity

D. Diversity in all respects

E. Civil Liberties and the Public Good

F. Environmental degradation

G. Education at all levels

H. Democracy – its evolution and the Constitution

III. State Issues

IV. County Issues

V. City and Municipal Issues

Again, it is my hope that these, and other, issues would form the framework for a national vision discussion. Naturally:

A. Issues would be added as time goes on.

B. The overall national discussion would be organized through a web portal that would provide entry to each level of discussion for both individuals and groups.

C. Discussion groups would be organized at various levels and be both synchronous and asynchronous and combinations.

D. Each month a status report on each topic area would be posted and new discussion questions available.

E. As a consensus on any issue begins to develop, it would be “tested” for accuracy by each discussion group dealing with that topic as part of its vision agenda.

While there is no arbitrary deadline for consensus on any given issue, it is hoped that the results of this discussion would begin to inform and infuse the debates at all levels of American politics. As the size of the base grows, it cannot be ignored.

M.F.A.