Ben Frankin

Election Day 2020

(Originally posted November 3, 2020)

Finally! Election day in America. About 100 million early mail-in votes can begin getting counted today. People going in person to polls, standing in lines, hoping not to catch Coronavirus. How many people will actually vote? In 2008, about 57% of eligible voters actually voted and the number went down in 2012 and 2016 to about 55%. So slightly more than half of the people take their civic responsibility seriously!

One article I read says the swing state of Pennsylvania may decide the Presidential election. As control of the Senate strongly affects the balance of the Supreme Court and lower court judges, today’s election will also determine all three branches of government - so much for checks and balances! Rather than checks on democracy it appears to be legislators writing outrageous checks on the national debt.

What would the famous American founding father Ben Franklin say if he were alive today? He was a childhood hero of mine growing up learning about his many inventions and writings. I think he would be a strong advocate for Conserve & Prosper and blogging! Recall some of his accomplishments included:

Inventor including the Franklin stove, Lighting Rod, Bifocals, and more

First Postmaster General of the US

Minister to France and Sweden

Publisher of Poor Richard’s Almanac

Signed the Constitution

Pictured on the $100 Bill

Two famous quotes of his come to mind:

“An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure” which he said about preventing fires and rings so true today on many issues including stopping Covid-19. So why wait for a vaccine if a mask can stop the spread of the disease?

“Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.” Rather than taking sides of political parties, looking at the big picture shows there are fundamental problems with money in politics.

I asked my brother Bob as I drafted this blog about the information above on this Election Day and he said, “To me it’s about believing in democracy and citizenship. Obeying the rules, laws, and norms. Our freedoms are not imposed on others.”

We grew up in a very conservative, post-depression era, family that believed in government civil service. Our father survived battles in WWII, returned to grad school on the GI Bill, and worked his career for the Navy Personnel Department. Our Mother supported the war effort through service groups. Journalist Tom Brokaw referred to my parents time as The Greatest Generation. They fought for American freedom against dictators including Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Tojo. After the war, we bailed out and rebuilt Europe with the Marshall Plan and created the United Nations and NATO. My parents willingly moved from beautiful southern California to humid and cold Washington, DC with three kids and another (me) on the way to fulfill their American dream.

But American and Allied victories in Europe did not stop the rise of Communism and wars in Korea and Vietnam and a cold nuclear war build up with the USSR. So our family became fractured by political and social changes exemplified by Red States and Blue States. My parents four sons remain politically split half way on both sides.

My son’s conception was inspired by the election of President Obama in 2008 that we felt there would be freedom and equality in the Untied States of America. In my 25-year civil service career I served for six Presidents and saw good times and bad. Some Administrations ran very well and some did not.

For an intriguing view inside the White House based on events that are still very relevant today, check out The West Wing, and an October 25, 2020 article in the BBC. This fantasy based on real life events demonstrates the critical skills of debating issues to arrive at the best solutions given very difficult choices.

What will be next for America and the World? History is being written on this very consequential day!

Overcoming Obstacles: A Few People I Admire

Do you agree that overcoming personal and social challenges takes courage and persistence? Our challenge might be a learning disorder, a physical issue, or peer pressure resulting in political correctness. Learning challenges affect 1 in 5 children according to the NCLD. One in 4 adults in America live with a disability according to the CDC.

The novel Covid-19 virus affects 100% of us. Wearing a mask is proven to save lives during the pandemic but many people refuse. Not convinced? Check out the county comparison posted on MasksSaveLives.org. Everyone with or without a preexisting personal challenge needs wear a mask - it could save your life and the lives of other people. I posted a blog on April 1 about mask confusion and many people in the U.S. are still not wearing masks.

I admire my wife and son (shown in the photo) for overcoming many personal challenges and being willing to wear the mask!

We admire Greta for acknowledging how her autism fuels her passion to fight carbon pollution and asking people to listen to scientists.

We admire Governor Gavin for sharing how his learning challenges taught him to solve problems and inspire others. He deserves much credit for his environmental and public health actions.

There are so many more famous people that we admire who overcame adversity including Ben Franklin, Albert Einstein, and Oprah Winfrey. Everyone has something and now we must all join together to fight the virus!

Before we judge or blame others, let’s smile with compassionate eyes and feel our shared humanity and goodwill towards all creatures.