In today's society, there's a great divide among Americans and much frustration with the current political system. Americans are tired of voting for the same politicians touting the same agendas-only to witness more partisan gridlock. Voters are clamoring for bigger ideas and better candidates. Government needs brilliant new minds, but politics is a tough arena that appeals to few. So how do we inspire interest among qualified Americans to innovate effective policies, cast their votes, and run for office?
John M. Preston-a retired professor and software entrepreneur-presents in this text pragmatic, outside-the-box proposals to solve long-standing issues afflicting the current system. One solution is to create a culture of service and higher education. Taking inspiration from military academies and the military's history of successful integration of disparate groups, Preston suggests the formation of a diplomatic academy run by the state department to educate top students in diplomacy and prepare them for roles in government. He suggests creating a disaster relief corps for elite volunteers and a general national service corps.
In addition to transforming culture, Preston discusses promising policy platforms to improve voter participation, regulate the financial system, ensure responsible gun ownership, and explore sustainable clean-energy sources.
Recognizing the need for change is only the first step. Learn how you can transform a vision of optimism and patriotic service into reality and make the ideas and candidates in the next election something worth voting for!
About the Author: John M. Preston was a high school physics teacher for ten years. Eager to branch out, he later started a software-writing company called EnTech with his best friend and business partner, Bob Ferrett. The company specialized in energy-consumption audits of small commercial buildings.
Preston eventually returned to academia and became a professor at Eastern Michigan University. During his thirty-year career, he created degree programs and new courses in energy and facility management. He also coauthored more than sixty textbooks on learning computers, energy management, and project management.
In 1994, the International Facility Management Association recognized Preston as an outstanding educator. Since retiring, he's given lectures and taught courses at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Michigan and the Center for Creating Retirement at the College of Charleston. His chosen topics have included nuclear power, alternative energy, the Iran deal, and his vision for 2020.