13 ::: 10 ESSAYS :: THE AMERICAN CHALLENGE

1::: REFLECTION: THE LOSS OF INTEGRITY
... The fact that the majority of society lives in contradiction to the fundamentals. That majority does not dedicate its talents and energy toward a productive life that is focused on that individual's personal aspirations for their individual self-realization.
... I appreciate the reference : “the majority and the individual’s aspirations” as one of our classic battlegrounds of the conflicts between opposites: “Collectivism vs Individualism”.

::: Since a child I have sensed the “gravitational pull” of my family, teachers, even mentors against or for personal ideas and values that led me toward the acceptance of the “middle-of-the-road” outcomes: like the “majority wins”, “We won! The hands have it!” (i.e. 51 percent of the vote.)

::: I heard my school chums say that they personally had their own opinion – but, "would say" what the teacher (or parent) wanted to hear to get a better grade. The habit of telling strangers what they want to hear to make a sale, a deal, or a position based in deceit rather than talent.

::: At the time, this kind of thing never did make sense to me but, i did manage

::: to learn later in life: this was a loss of your persoanl integrity-
::: "saying one thing then doing another".
::: I didn’t want to turn into something I didn’t believe in but,
::: in time we all succumb … even me.

::: I asked my dad: "How come everyone is on board with this thing?"
::: My dad said: “Everyone just changed their mind then changed their positions in order to “fit in”
::: And my father added: "When you resist the majority they will complain: “You’re an idealist- that is your problem.” , “You cannot be controlled- you have a problem with authority!”, “You cannot be part of the team- unless you “fit-in”!.”, “ The grade of “C” is passing- anything beyond that is wasted effort!

::: I still hear these slogans and see the faces in the faces in the crowd still in my mind after 70 years.

::: There are many people who are disappointed by political leaders who say they are sharing their principles, and they don’t follow through.

::: We see again, and again, and again:

::: The resurgence collectivism, altruism, and mysticism in American culture.

+ … ROOT of the ROOT: “The Dumb Down Syndrome”:
The process of contradiction of personal values, aspirations, talents, and skills to majority rule and the loss of Integrity.+

+… PROBLEM: We see the resurgence collectivism, altruism, and mysticism in American culture. Especially, the conflict between the group and individual: “Collectivism vs Individualism”.

+ … STRATEGIC THRUST: The re- Education of people to the values of Individualism, Egoisim, and Reason.

+ ... SOLUTION/ACTION PLAN: ???????????????????????????

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2 ::: REFLECTION: PSYCHOLOGICAL CONFLICTS WITHIN MAN
... The reoccurring reference to the “Psycho-neurological pre-disposition to patterns of behavior and convictions” may be recognized as a “co-existing” condition of Good and Evil that all of us become a victim from time to time.
::: Evil (some teach) lurked in the heart of Cain at the Gates of Paradise.
::: While watching the movie “Saving Private Ryan” over Labor Day, and hearing the words of Tom Hank: ‘ … angels on our shoulders…” as a tank buster destroys the German 122KGH tank a childhood memory popped up in my mind.
::: I still see my grade school teacher, Sister Barbara SSF shaking her right index finger to remind me that I have two voices sleeping inside my body.
::: One, my GOOD Angel: that speaks as soft as a kitten promising a life of Reason, Purpose, and Happiness ::: And, The EVIL Angel: a voice is smiling and saying: “Come here Robert! And, let us make a mess of your life.
::: The 1960’s, I lived through a time when the motto “Anything goes”, “ Do not trust anyone over 30 years of age”, ‘Don’t get mad- get even”, “ God made me do it!” attitudes that challenged existing authority of Church and State and changed them. A social revolution!
::: Some now see that in this “revolution” the seeds of destruction were sowed within the hidden evils lurking in the hearts of those little “Frankfurt disciples” and political correctness began to grow in the minds of our youth into this very moment.
::: Self- Hatred has found expression in the American heart.
::: This emotional epidemic has infected each of us and is manifesting in our addictions to Fame + Fortune + Power.
::: Evil now lurks in the heart of Abel at the foot of the Statue of Liberty.
( Note: we include: sex, drugs, food, things, money, welfare. And. I might add anything that can be gotten free: the welfare check, education, health care, medicines, emergency room, lying and deception, fraud and the like).
::: The American people’s compass is off and have lost their sense of: Reason + Purpose + Self-Esteem and the virtues that integrate them: an integrated philosophy of life.
::: We have all to some extent tolerate, Evil among men.
: There is no outrage end to the blind acceptance of mounds of freedom-interfering legislation and regulation that are in violation of our inalienable rights as otherwise "guaranteed" under our constitution.

::: … Psycho-neurological pre-disposition to patterns of behavior and convictions …

+ … The ROOT of the ROOT : “The Angels on My Shoulder Model”: The inherent psychological condition of man, and the outside influences of social manipulation, or some other cause.

+ … PROBLEM: We see the death of Ethical behavior in American culture and the rise of corruption at every level of institutional leadership. Especially, the conflicts between Fame, Fortune, and Power and Reason, Purpose, and Self-Esteem.+ … STRATEGIC THRUST: A process of education focused on an Integrated philosophy life and the acceptance of axioms to free the mind.
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+ ... SOLUTION/ACTIONPLAN: ????????????????????????????????????????
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3 ::: REFLECTION: The NUMBNESS THEORY
... The emerging Numbness Theory points to the fundamental issue within American life:
the avoidance of personal responsibility and a gradual loss of freedom.

::: This assumption is deeply embedded in our consciousness, so deep, that we do not know that it is there.

::: Many Americans have been conditioned to avoid responsibly for their work, their decisions, and their behaviors expecting others to take care of their needs, pay their bills, and expand their “Rights” to receive benefits and entitlements from the government or whoever is in arms reach.

::: For over 70 years, in my lifetime, the schools and churches have placed the ideas of social justice into the minds of our children: to serve the poor, to clothe the naked, to release the prisoner- then expanded into the worlds of environmentalism, culturalism, and diversity- all honorable goals.

::: These ideas are destroying America as they are expanded beyond the limits of national resources and has become a non-sustaining policy concept.

:::There is a age old wisdom for a professor entering his/her 1st class of the year:
' ... it takes 10 times the effort to re-teach a fact, a truth, or an idea that has been taught and learned incorrectly...'


::: Social Justice teachings by either Church or State have failed to empower the individual to
“... fish for themselves and then fish for others ... ”


::: ... Our assumptions so are so deeply embedded in our American consciousness that we do not know that they are there...

+ … ROOT of the ROOT: “The Numbness Theory ”:
The psycho-neurological pre-disposition to patterns of behavior and convictions seems to support the idea but in no way excuses laziness, indolence, or irresponsibility.

+ … PROBLEM: We see the expansion of the social Entitlements ( Health Care, Medi-care, Social Security) in America. Especially, the conflict between the “have’s and the have-nots:
or the age old battlefield of “ Egoism vs. Altruism”.

+ … STRATEGIC THRUST: The re-Design of Governemrnt and its rules of governance.
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+ ... SOLUTION/ACTION PLAN: ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????

PS: there is a profound comment made to Helen Keller's by her teacher ( Anne Bancroft) in the black and white movie that expresses the same frustrations i am reading from the group.
... 'This is a word !!!! ... and the word means this thing !!!
... "If only- I can give you a word"
... "I have then placed the whole universe in you !!!"

4::: REFLECTION: LOSS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY BY GOVERNMENT BY CONSENSUS
::: “Money is the root of all evil” What is the root of money?

::: "Money is a tool of exchange of goods and services of fair/equal value."

::: I just returned for a trip into the beauty of Vermont. Between the great food, mountain air, and the exceptional the green scenery, for a while my thoughts took me to the place of Ecstasy. We drove north on State Route 7 from Rutland along Lake Champlain when I noticed the absence of power lines, billboards, or barn roofs painted with Burma Shaving Cream advertisements (or those wonderful 1930, faded directions to the Kentucky caves).
::: Then I noticed one … two, .. three … then counted over 73 “little red and black handcrafted” 1’ x 2’ feet signs sprinkled along the highway over the next 35 miles … each set back from the gravel shoulders … placed at eye height :

::: They “shouted” their message of hope:
“This land has been set aside, by the citizens of Vermont, from all commercial- residential - senior condos, -educational - private development : “F O R E V E R”

::: (What a “bummer:” for an aging architect looking for something to do) LOSS OF THE

OWNERSHIP OF PRIVATE PROPERTY: Impact on governance:

::: … Elections within local cities, towns, and villages have been infiltrated by “transplants” from the wealthy groups from the East coast and
::: … Officials have been persuaded to: pass and implement environmental laws restricting the development of all existing lands both within the small towns and cities as well as the country side.
::: ... Statism at its best!

OWNERSHIP OF PRIVATE PROPERTY: Impact on Business:

::: … Costs of development now include on-site inspections, personal interviews with home owners, permits, fees, environmental impact studies, and lengthy public review processes where the “upfront” costs can be from 30% to 60% of the cost of the construction.
::: ... Few, newcomers can pay the fees- Only the “rich” are able to
::: … This applies also for additions to homes
(I.e. Especially, where a bedroom or bath is to be added here the cost of increased taxes is based upon the increase of the “water closet flushes per day” involved in per household.)

OWNERSHIP OF PRIVATE PROPERTY: Impact on citizens:

::: Housing within existing cities has become scarce and costs have skyrocketed.
::: … Locals no longer are able afford the property taxes within existing salary base.
::: … Driving time from home to work is now approaching 1 hour 15 minutes
::: … The loss of replacement/new construction translates into loss of jobs and growth.
::: … The youth are not able to get summer jobs (I.e. Winter work at White mountain for a few). … Existing companies leaving the market- job losses- ... and families crowded out of the workplace and housing market by special interest groups.

::: As a "snarky" comment (my opinion) the beloved senators: Leahy and Sanders and their friends they have assisted in their evasion of the local political scenes are protected and benefit from all this taxing, job loss, property values, job loss, and continue to enjoy with great delight the picturesque drive along State Route 7,
::: ... While singing the State's motto ... FREEDOM and UNITY!

::: We are a witness to the loss of ownership of private property through the great evil of governance by consensus.

::: ... The ascendancy of “collectivism” and “Statism” by the Progressive Movement in American culture ...

+ … ROOT of the ROOT: “ Government by Consensus”:
Elected officials at all levels of government have been politically persuaded to implement environmental laws, eminent domain law, OSHA rules restricting development of private property, institutional standards, building codes, and management across the country.

+ … PROBLEM: The ascendancy of “collectivism” and “Statism” by the Progressive Movement in American culture. A battle ground: "Collectivism and Individualism".

+ … STRATEGIC THRUST: The assesment of government authority and role in public and private life.

+ ... SOLUTION/ACTION PLAN:??????????????????????????


5::: REFLECTION: UTOPIA BUILDING
::: The passing of laws against cruelty, human need, and death based upon the welfare of the community and the desire for unity, togetherness, and oneness?

::: The Idealist who see things that they believe to be wrong and need to be righted. Sees those injuries that need to be corrected, and problems that need to be rectified.

:And, I asked my friend,

The Idealist, if he wanted to abolish the rich?

No! He said: “I want to abolish the “poor”,

those that suffer from disease and want.

And,

It is “our” responsibility-

all of us are accountable -

to help everyone realize their potential to the fullest.”

• ‘ … 200 years ago the world problem was slavery, 100 years ago: child education and the right to vote, 50 years ago: the right to social security and welfare, And, in contemporary time there are pressures of sexual preference, race discrimination, and persecutions that have been the focus of world systems to change the world

::: (Note: Never mind that Fascism, Communism, Apartheid, Socialism and the like have tried and failed we must take this opportunity now.).

• Nelson Mandela said: He had climbed a great mountain to defeat discrimination and racism.
::: Now there is a greater challenge that lies ahead …poverty, climate change, emerging global challenges that need global solutions …and this need is the creation of a “Global Society”.

• Gordon Brown teaches: ‘ … We have the means to create a Global Society, the institutions of this global society can be created through our advance social communication systems. Our global ethic can infuse that effort by the principle of “fairness and responsibility”

::: Brown continued: We must not squander our generation’s chance to create global institutions around the world for Environment, Finance, and Security for growth and development that makes sense of our responsibilities to other peoples and our desire to bind the world together and the need to tackle the problems everyone knows exists.
... Turn to one another and say:’ “Lets march!” .
... We should be marching to what should be a Global Society.

• The Prime Minister contributes: “This is the 1st generation in the position to do this: Combine the power of a “Global Ethic” and our power to communicate on a global scale with the challenges we now face … most of which are global in their nature – a change that cannot be solved in one country but can only be saved by a world working together.

… The financial crisis could not be solved by America alone it requires the world to work together, the problems of terrorism and security are equally, human rights and development ... these problems cannot be solved unless the world works together.”

::: Well thank God the UN is coming!
::: Are Americans "divined" to solve the ancient problems of Evil, Suffering and Disease, and Death itself for the entire world?

::: At last, the Idealist will create international partnerships between the wealthiest and poorest countries designed to share sharing doctors, nurses, medicine, technologies, security systems and the like with all countries especially, the underdeveloped nations to insure human rights, elimination of wars, and freedom from oppression.

::: After asking the "Why" question 5 times and drilling down through: Utopia Construction.

::: The root may be found in this fear for human beings to face Evil, Disease, and Death

::: With the emergence of the political Progressive/Liberal Idealist who see things that they believe to be wrong and need to be righted: sees those injuries that need to be corrected and problems that need to be rectified through
“ re- distributive change” .

::: … Our political leadership in America are at the threshold of creating a new world government that seeks to build a “Global Society” …
+ … ROOT of the ROOT: UTOPIA BUILDING
The passing of laws against cruelty, human need, suffering, disease, and death based upon the welfare of the community and the desire for unity, togetherness, and oneness?
+ … PROBLEM: Progressive Idealism, if allowed to implement their socialist agenda using America wealth will, in time, create international partnerships between the wealthiest and poorest countries designed to share sharing doctors, nurses, medicine, technologies, military and security systems and the like with all countries especially, the underdeveloped nations to insure human rights, elimination of wars, and freedom from oppression. The battleground of: Altruism and Egoism.
+ … STRATEGIC THRUST: Counter the principle of “fairness and responsibility” and “Re- distributive Change” with Freedom and Responsibility.
+ ... SOLUTION/ACTION PLAN: ??????????????
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6::: Essay: PARTITION AND STANDARDIZATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES
(Division of Responsibility)

::: My high school, mentor Mr. Willis Vogel, taught than in order to become a “Master Builder” I must learn all the “tools of the trade” and be able to “do-it-all”.
::: My education developed over a 15 year period (Truthfully it has never really ever ended) beginning as a office clerk responsible for filing the “work of the day”, a cub draftsman, student, senior draftsman, designer- sculptor-painter, engineer of systems, specification writer, field inspector, project manager, construction manager, teacher, mentor, and Architect.

::: Willis smiled and would say: “Robert! You must be able to handle the whole ‘Enchilada’, known as the “cradle to grave’ approach.

::: You can not imagine the incredible freedom to have the responsibility of conceiving an idea in space, organizing its geometries on paper, placing it in the hands of carpenters, masons, then seeing others walk around something that came from an image that began as a tiny light in my imagination.

::: The creative act: customized by its author to the product, the score, the building … the genuine work.

::: Some would say that this picture of making things is pure “arrogance”.
::: Others would see this as “humility”.
(That is, if we define humility as knowing one’s limitations).

Standarization of Behavior(s) and Work and Systems
::: The survival of corporations, business, institutions, and profit seeking enterprises may morph into “mindless systems and standardized services” that have the power to destroy worker initative and the strength to "demoralize" individual freedoms:
.
The individual is "processed by an expert - handed off to another expert, then to another, and to another". This process of “genes-memes- temes” or the relentless “sub- division” of responsibility for the “ Conceptual Work Process” into Para- professionals, technical levels of expertise, a series of “ Parts and Pieces” that no longer can produce the genuine only the mass-produced “one size fits all”.
No one in the process or outside of the process knows or will ever know what is going on. No one can predict the intended outcomes that are being implimentated.

A ::: The Health Care System, The Judicial System, The Penal System, The Economic system, The Political System, The Technological System(s), The Educational System, The Marriage System, The Religious systems and spiritual systems.
B ::: Where “one size fits all cases”: all are taught or encouraged from the same text, all use Goggle browsers, all receive the same sequence of procedures for a sore throat and cough, all vote for Republican or Democrat or Independent, and the listing continues.
C ::: Do we have the Freedom to choose our own "personalized system" which our participation insures the limits of freedom?

::: The survival of corporations, business, institutions, and profit seeking enterprises have morphed into “ the process of mindless systems and standardized services” that have and continue to destroy individual creativity, initiative and freedom.

::: No one in the process or outside of the process knows or will ever know what is going on. No one can predict the intended outcomes that are being implemented.

+ … ROOT of the ROOT: “ The One Size Fits All Model”:
The systematic “standardization” of human behavior(s) and the individual’s work milieu.
And the relentless "sub- division" of responsibility for the work where no one has a full concept of the overall outcomes.
+ … PROBLEM: The gradual loss of personal freedom and personal identity of the American worker. The continuing battle between the individual and the elite of the collective.
+ … STRATEGIC THRUST: Customization of production by placing creativity, innovation, and leadership at the center of production.
+ ... SOLUTION/ACTION PLAN: ???????
7::: Essay: POP Culture: REJECTION OF REALITY OR REJECTION OF REASON?
::: Culture: Young adults are “embracing” the hypnotic trance that is attached to the glitz and glitter that has the power to fragment the personality and the strength to disengage the individual from his/her “identity”.
.::: Music: The primary vehicle of one’s ego to escape “Reality” (i.e. “ the Here-and Now”, Past- Present- Future)
::: “Charismatic- Leadership”: Young adults, unable to read, cynical of history, science, and mathematics many becoming victims of the classroom teacher, media celebrity, political leader and the alluring illusions and delusions of the mass media of what is and what can be.
::: Pop Culture:is in the process of creating an “Emotional Plague” based on Fear+ Anxiety + Self Hate … disguised as Creative Imagination?
::: POP Culture: Created by “Millennial” with the following attributes:

A … Millennial’s have been conditioned by the state, educational institutions, and cultural influence supportive of multiculturalism.
B … Making a difference is a strong motivational force.
C … Instant communication framework (I.e. extensive computer usage has led to a need for more professional feedback than that of past generations. Communication platforms such as SMS, e-mail, video chat, and blogging have engendered a mindset that necessitates constant communication with others. That mindset has carried over into the workplace).Perceptions (Symptoms) from the Collective Team.
D ... ‘ … [ idol worship] religious extremism.’
E ...The ease at which people become distracted and misdirected instead of thinking.
F ...Vanishing individuality: Cookie Cutters … "Number 12 looks just like you"
G ... Infatuation [with] the death of a talented decadent spirit of a person - Michael Jackson.H ... Nearly universal acceptance of simple labeling.
H ... Universal and consistent unchecked misbehavior and illegal conduct of followers/leaders].
I ..."It's a Bird, It's a Plane, “ Modanna” - pop stardom as the standard for leadership.
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Personal Perceptions:
1 … We know POP CULTURE is dominated by the liberal left and the POP CULTURE TV scene.
2 … Education symptom is the acceptance of propaganda as education.
3 … The masses were far more influenced by the hard to measure “cool quotient” than by any amount of “education”.
::: Our culture of young adults are “embracing” an hypnotic trance that is attached to the glitz and glitter that has the power to fragment and disengage the individual from his/her “identity”.

::: The Pop Culture of America is in the process of creating an “Emotional Epidemic” based on Fear + Anxiety + Self Hate disguised as Creative Imagination.
+ … ROOT of the ROOT: “Idol Worship”
The Millennial generation have been condition by the state welfare system, educational institutions, and the cultural influences supportive of multiculturalism, political correctness, and environmentalism.
+ … PROBLEM: Charismatic Leadership: Young adults, unable to read, cynical of history, science, and mathematics many becoming victims of the classroom teacher, media celebrity, political leader and the alluring illusions and delusions of the mass media of what is and what can be. We are witness to the confrontation for the hearts and minds of America taking place on the battle field of mysticism and reason.
+ … STRATEGIC THRUST: We must become the witness to the Death of Education and the Dawn of Learning through an the process of Meta-Group learning settings that remain inter- connected to all the global resources.
+ ... SOLUTION/ACTION PLAN: ????????????????????????????


8 ::: “INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS VS. GOVERNMENT SECURED RIGHTS”:
Symptom: the rise of principled immorality in this country

::: Where does our “rights” come from?
::: Many teach : the Divine Rights are from God: To be withdrawn with a serious sin against the Law.
::: Others teach: Our rights come from the State: To be given or taken away with a “whim” by the tax man or politician.

::: Central Principled Question: Why should one group be forced to pay for another group’s “perceived” needs when it should be voluntary or when one group’s needs become rights?

POINTS of VIEW to think about:
● POPE:”The Noble Theory” human right to health care as derived from the right of human dignity.
::: (The noble theory is based on it is a moral act that is not practical- everyone knows this theory cannot work over the long haul but this idea is embraced by all those involved in Utopia Building that it cannot and will not be set aside in our lifetime- sadly).
● THE AMERICAN BISHOP: teach the principle of the “Common Good’ as a primary argument for Universal "everyting"- never bothering to ask or answer the question"who pays?" Knowing it is not them that is for sure.
● CHURCH COMMUNITIES in America: individual rights are given by God through the Church Authority (force) ::: We answer to a higher authority! What is the nature of that authority (supernatural/natural)?
● GOVERNMENT: proclaims “Human Rights” come from the State’s Authority by force if necessary – Human Rights are not a “right” they are given their rights by the State. “society's moral duty"::: This: total abandonment by the intellectuals and the politicians of the moral principles on which the U.S. was founded.
● BROWN AND CLINTON: 2010 Initiatives / “Global Ethic”/ “Global Society”/ Global Environmental Institution/ global ethic of “fairness and responsibility”/ principle that prosperity of this world is “Indivisible” and “One”.
● OBJECTIVIST: Universal Health Care: socialized medicine is a noble plan and is immoral. UHC will eliminate options of treatment and scientific advancements and in term limit the extension of life expectancy.

THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION
● Constitution: guarantees, “… the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness …”
::: This is a revolutionary concept. The free American “ascents” to this ideal.
::: It is not a belief we subscribe as we would with religion or oaths to a Caesar, King, Pope, deity, fascist, communist, or other belief systems.
::: These are our only rights, the American viewpoint: the rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.
::: (Some add: “We are all created equal!” But, it is understood this is and always will be an unattainable vision- but worthy of our personal ascent.
::: That's all. According to the Founding Fathers, we are not born with a right to a trip to Disneyland, or a meal at McDonald's, or a kidney dialysis (nor with the 18th-century equivalent of these things).
::: We have certain specific rights—and only these written by Jefferson:
"Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness".

● The system guarantees us the chance to work for what you want—not to be given it without effort by somebody else. Rights which require no earning, no effort, no action at all on the part of the recipient.

+ … ROOT of the ROOT: “Ideological Clarity” The role of government?
+ … PROBLEM: The expansion of the social Entitlements
( Health Care, Medi-care, Social Security) in America. Especially, the conflict between the “have’s and the have-nots” the battleground: Egoism vs. Altruism”.
+ … STRATEGIC THRUST: A public confused about the very meaning of the free market, liberty, and individual rights, and about what a proper defense of those values of Capitalism.
+ … STRATEGIC TARGETS: Congressional progressives, the American Bishops, pastors, intellectuals withi the universities, and those who promote the progressive movement.
+ ... SOLUTION/ACTION PLAN: ?????????????


9 ::: CORRUPTION OF AMERICA’S VOTING SYSTEM | “ZERO LIABILITY VOTER”
+ … ROOT of the ROOT:These people aren't liable for the debt they are a receiver of the system as is and depend on it's continuation.

+ … PROBLEM:  Zero Libility Voter: are those are a rapidly expanding segment of voters that are made of all races, ethnicities, and sexes. They are voters that want to use the government to fund all the social programs, welfare, and etc. They either get what money they do get taken out of their checks back plus some from the government at tax time or are just flat out receivers of the system.
+ … STRATEGIC THRUST:  Voter requirements for Zero-liability mind at work at the poll levers.
+ … STRATEGIC TARGETS:
+ ... SOLUTION/ACTION PLAN: ?????????????