Engagement and Transparency in the Presidency

As I begin this endeavor, I realize that beginning on the morning of Election Day as the polls opened puts me at a disadvantage as far as timing of this effort. While I have worked to introduce myself and provide an overview of the foundational thinking that has led me to this point in life, I will be holding further blog posts until after the beginning of the New Year. At that time, I will begin to share my views on how we might use the office of the Presidency to put Congress in a positil requiring all members inform their consitutents of their activities and strive to help every citizen to recognize our interdependence on each other.

In teh armed services there has traditionally been inter-service rivlary that, while seeming to those not in service to be disrespectful, service members realize that it is an experssion, really, of their own opinion of their own capabilities. Classically, it's a "mine is better" attitude. Think of the United States and our friends around the world. We, and they, believe our own systems to be the best; we may recognize greatness in others, but, ours is better. This is generally true of all cultures and nationalities. And oll of us are just as right as we are wrong.

Pride is a quality earned by those who strive for greatness. Hubris is a quality of those who claim it without actual effort. Respect of others is earned, jsut as our respect must be earned in kind.

I hope you will join in the conversationin the coming year.

I am certain that many across this magnificent nation have noticed, and even felt they haven’t received the respect they are due from elected officials, We all know the type. Presidents and Cabinet members who can’t be bothered to visit citizens in their home states or Congressional District until it’s time to pander for votes, Senators and Representatives who hold town halls or visit events weekly near election time but not while claiming to be too busy “doing the work of the people”.

Work for the benefit of the citizens of the United States ought be as public as possible. There are times and settings where information must be closely held and those ought not change. Where that need does not exist; we citizens deserve full transparency from our government. For example: National Defense Information must be protected from disclosure to safeguard our country, criminal investigations are necessarily sealed until charges are filed because simply being investigated does not mean that there is even any evidence of wrongdoing. There are privileges afforded everyone in the United States that would be applicable in this context, as well. Official acts, not related to any of these issues ought be available to be reported and discussed openly nationwide with all citizens having equal access to this information.

For this reason, and to ensure that a President and the Cabinet, at least, actually go to the citizens of this nation where the citizens live, the following is the intended schedule for a Presidency the citizens deserve.

Presidential presence in the States has traditionally been limited to those experiencing an extreme hardship or disaster or those most competitive in one election or another. It is the opinion of this citizen that this is unacceptable behavior in modern times as communications of a near instantaneous nature are available. Engagement with citizens is paramount to an ongoing understanding of the concerns of the People. A four year term provides sufficient time for:

1.      Two full weeks in each State on a randomly generated rotating basis of one week per visit;

2.      Fifty full weeks (more than 12 full weeks per year) in personal attendance in Washington D.C.

3.      Fifty full weeks to visit with international Friends, Allies, and trading partners around the world to reinforce engagement policies, learn of potential or expected changes in needs, and demonstrate the commitment of the United States to our Friends, Allies, and trading partners.

The transparency that may be expected by the People must be addressed and given due attendance. That being so:

4.      During the Presidential work day, all unclassified or non-privileged activity will be conducted in the presence of a Pool Reporter for recording and sharing across all media for the purpose of permitting the citizens an opportunity to examine their chosen governing officials carrying out routine duties;

5.      During this participation by the media there will be no permitted "off-the-record" conversations or activity; all activity is reportable with only the exceptions for classified or privileged conversations already mentioned;

6.      All governmental business will be conducted outside the residential quarters of the President to prevent a failure to include a designated pool reporter from information belonging to the People of the United States;

a.       To the extent possible and practicable all Executive Offices and Departments will provide this degree of access to offices and officials when engaged in unclassified, non-privileged activities;

b.      Specifically exempted due to the generally classified or privileged nature of their work will be certain agencies and officials which list will include, though not be limited to:

i.      Department of Defense;

1.      Where most discussions include at least some portion of classified information;

ii.      Department of Justice;

1.      Where a significant majority of even internal discussions include information that is considered privileged by the courts;

iii.      Central Intelligence Agency;

iv.      National Reconnaissance Office;

v.      National Security Agency; and,

vi.      Other agencies, offices, or other officials similarly situated.

c.       While exempted; these agencies, offices, and officers will be required to identify and report unclassified or non-privileged information to the Office of the President of the United States which information will not injure the interests, safety, or integrity of the United States so that information may be made immediately available to the People.