Saturday, May 13, 2017

Loyalty and Allegiance

Allegiance to the nation is manifest in the commitment to uphold the US Constitution and rule of law. Loyalty is to the nation and to the team that supports it.

In my book, How to Select an American President by James A. George with James A. Rodger (c) 2017 Archway Publishing, "Loyalty and Allegiance" are addressed synonymously.

From the book: "In our system, party affiliation and loyalty matter because allegiance matters as do relationships. When relationships are loose and tentative, that may increase risk or otherwise make it more difficult to form teams and to staff the administration. Collaborative team-building is an important ability."

Membership and participation in political parties are important. How engaged are candidates in the process of platform development? How closely are aligned candidates with their party and its initiatives? Loyalty and allegiance to a political party are evidence of trust as it might serve to reduce risk about that to which a candidate stands.

“By 1827, he had emerged as the principal northern leader for Andrew Jackson. President Jackson rewarded Van Buren by appointing him Secretary of State.” 
He demonstrated strong loyalty to President Jackson. What voters could not see but through the experience of Jackson was Van Buren’s stand against Federal and State Banks. He sought an independent US Treasury. His economic policies would compound disaster seeded by Jackson. That is why he was a one-term President." 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/martinvanburen
Website Title: Martin Van Buren | whitehouse.gov.
Date Accessed: May 13, 2017
"Tyler’s changing political parties is indicative of his staunch independence. His service in both the House and Senate would have provided voters much insight into his states’ rights nature and loyalty to Southern views on slavery. He opposed federalism. The divide between North and South are made clear by understanding Tyler’s stands on the issues of that time."
Values include:
•    Allegiance to the Constitution and laws and regulations
•    Loyalty to party and community
•    Appreciation for diversity and collaboration

Work History (Sources of applying knowledge, acquiring new knowledge, and applying and developing skills and proficiency)

Voters should want presidential candidates who have had work experience of significant scope and scale to illustrate that they can handle managing the most sophisticated enterprise on Earth.

Private Sector:

Consideration of a candidate's work history as it might appear on a resume is important whereby the focus is given to demonstrated advancement and managerial responsibility, especially corporate executive (C-level) experience.  This is the source of applying knowledge and developing managerial skills. For presidential candidates, voters are looking for demonstrated success at commanding and leading complex organizations toward achieving world-class performance. Has the candidate achieved recognition among peers in the corporate community and public? Has the candidate demonstrated the ability to achieve a high return on resources?

Public Sector:

Similar consideration is given to public service. In the instance of evaluating presidential candidates, having had managerial or CEO experience is significant. Public Service includes the candidate having served in the capacity of Congressman, Senator, or Governor or Mayor. Having been elected to office is relevant experience. Having served in an executive capacity is most valuable. Having served in government provides the basis for understanding the legislative and budgeting process as that is a major role and responsibility.

Military Service:

In the instance of military history that is a form of public service, we consider the following:
•    Military occupation
•    Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer – having graduated from a military institution with distinction is on par with having been a ROTC graduate from a distinguished educational institution. Having achieved veteran status is noteworthy of special distinction.
•    Enlisted, Drafted, National Guard
•    Duration of service
•    Commands
•    Wars and battles
•    Awards and Certifications

Public Service:

Has the candidate become an active leader in a political party? Some past presidents have been independent of political parties, though today, political parties are a pool from which to draw for staffing, for instance. With the need for bipartisanship in government, presidential candidates must manage affiliation with sensitivities to the voter population and greater constituency. Are parties a means to an end or are parties the means for control? Good question for presidential candidates. Good question for voters.

Volunteering:

This may be relevant as an indication of propensity to serve, and role and responsibility as a volunteer with impact on accomplishment are noteworthy.

Family:

Consideration is given to having overcome hardships, for instance. Relationships with family members may be insightful.

Community: Consideration is given to leadership and issues advocacy, for example.

Faith:

The authors thought about not assigning a value for religious affiliation as relevance will show up in other factors and this is private to individuals. Furthermore, there are alternative sources from which people develop their principles. In America, too many people, being faithful is significant. Because 60% of Americans are faithful and guided by religion, special treatment is given to the topic at the end of this chapter.

Pays taxes:

The presidential candidate is expected to have paid taxes and not to have any tax debt liability.
Income and net worth:
•    Income and net worth of a presidential candidate are relevant as this information is used in obtaining a top-secret and higher level security clearance. It connotes that the candidate is financially sound and is less corruptible.
•    No legal encumbrance:
•    Of course, a presidential candidate cannot have been a felon and is expected to be without legal encumbrance.

Marital status:

While nearly all Presidents have been married, this factor is not so relevant except to know about the spouse to the extent that the spouse will not detract from the Presidency in any way. Throughout history, president’s spouses have played significant roles in strengthening presidents and their performance. Infidelity with a spouse is akin to broken allegiance. It is a behavioral deficiency worth deliberating.


George Herbert Walker Bush put his life on the line for America.


2 comments:

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  2. The Trump administration was loose and tentative from the start.

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