Author Description

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!