What is the biggest challenge America faces?
Our country is faced with challenges as we enter into the 21st century. I am prepared to effectively deal with these challenges and lead our country as President on Day 1. Please let me know what you view as the biggest challenge America faces and how you would like your President to address this challenge.
Good Answers (63)
Jeffrey M
Contract Recruiter/Business Developer and Social Entrepreneur
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Right now, I feel like more needs to be done to improve the economy as we are heading towards a recession. It seems like there is uncertainty in the stock market, the credit crunch, the housing crunch, inabilities to get loans, and uncertainty about social security. In my opinion, this is the most immediate concern, and my vote will largely depend upon which candidate can address these issues.
I feel that the President should not become involved in bringing in more regulations, as the market will eventually correct itself. Raising taxes is also not an acceptable answer, as it will do little to nip these problems in the bud. More programs like the economic stimulus should be introduced to help the middle class citizen address credit mistakes and avoid foreclosure. Also, as a recent college grad, I would like to see more support from the government to help alleviate the debt that has accumulated while earning my degree. It is no wonder that my generation is known as "generation debt"; everyone seems to be starting out with a negative balance sheet, and it takes money to make money.
I look forward to seeing what creative solutions can be formed and to voting on the best candidate later this year!
Steve P
Innovative Computer and Information Technologist
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Hello Senator McCain,
Thank you for your question. America's biggest problem is the ongoing replacement of liberty by the "Nanny State". America's biggest imminent threat is the threat from the Islamist extremists.
For the next president to address these things, I would like to see:
1.) Win in Iraq and against Islamist extremists on all fronts
(Where is Bin Laden? Who sent the Anthrax in 2001? 7 years later, why don't we know?)
2.) Work to impose term limits in congress.
3.) Work to implement the Fair Tax (www.fairtax.org)
4.) Read Napalitano, "The Constitution in Exile" and use constitutional principles to guide your government.
Regards,
Steve
I agree with David Cotter about losing touch with our founding father's principles regarding our Republic. In a nutshell this is the biggest challenge we face as Americans. As to how to get back on track; perhaps serious consideration of the Fair Tax is in order, or the application of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance to our government at the state and federal levels. Academically and technically it would be nice to see some of the democratic aspects of our government explored rather than such a strong reliance on pollsters, lobiests and special interest groups. I can't help but think that if Madison, Hamilton, and Jay had the internet in 1776 what the federalist papers would have looked a little different.
Thanks for asking Mr. McCain
THE looming issue that may alter the next 4-8 years is America's propensity to choose charisma and anecdotes over content and character. We're being lulled into a trap by the democratic pleas for "change" and while that may be true--I don't personally want the type of change these bearers of false promises will bring. Mr. McCain, please lead the effort to assist and enable Americans to know the real outcomes that will be delivered should Mr. Obama or Ms. Clinton become our next president. Pierce through the fake cover of eloquence and delivery--and educate the country what it means to be lead by a democratic president--as opposed to the world we'll become when you are elected and achievement matters, self confidence and patriotism prevail, and every America is safe, proud, and remains free.
Global warming is the most important challenge not only facing the United States but the entire world. Unless significant steps are taken in the next few years we may run out of time. If you are elected President, please take this topic seriously.
Education. We continue to slide in the world ranking with an out dated system. We worry about wars, econimics, and social issues but none of that will compare to what happens when we fail to educate our kids.
Bernard V
Director of Sales & Marketing for Nordic, Benelux, Spain, Portugal and Greece at State Street Global Advisors
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I think the biggest challenge America faces is the complete erosion of trust....in almost every aspect of every day life....but especially in leadership, economy, perception by the outside world, growth potential etc. A strong leader with visionary ideas and relentless energy to work on the reestablishment of trust will succeed to overcome these challenges.
Dave Cotter writes: " renewing Liberty - in my opinion, we have strayed from the Founding Principles of personal responsibility, limited government involvement in our daily lives, and Classical education...."
I align with Dave and add as a country we will be well served as individuals to accept responsibility for our lives support a restructuring of our governments starting at the national level, to be focused only on those few areas that can only be served by a national democracy.
We have grown out of control.
Links:
First of all Senator McCain, allow me to thank you for your patriotism and your many years of service and sacrifice to our country. I am honored to answer your question, even if only virtually.
I believe the greatest challenge we are faced with moving forward is the decline of our economy. The nation's leadership needs to face the facts - over the past decade, we became too reliant upon acquiring debt as a means for growth, both as individual citizens and a nation. While the economic expansion was exciting, it now appears that we are beginning to learn a tough lesson, and even worse, perhaps our children and grandchildren will pay even more for the misguided leadership of your generation and mine.
What real measures do you plan to take as President to return America to a true economic power, not just a country that treads water in the form of massive national debt in order to maintain our status quo?
Thank you!
Richard J
Philanthropic Wealth Manager, Author, Speaker, Executive Producer, Toplinked.com, (LION)
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Dear Senator:
I believe that the biggest challenge facing America is the loss of the American dream itself. Obstacles and bureaucracy prevent the poor and working poor from buying into, and participating in the American dream. America offers people unparalleled opportunity to achieve success unlike any other country in the world. While opportunity abounds, not everyone participates, either by choice (loss of initiative and belief in oneself), or due to real obstacles that need to be addressed. Years after Hurricane Katrina, why are so many people still displaced? As a CFP, I understand the importance of insurance. People without insurance have lost everything, including hope. This can't happen in America. We need to find more effective ways to help people who have nothing to get back on their feet, regain hope, and participate in the great American dream. This isn't about handouts or welfare, but a safety net that rewards and encourages people to take the right actions. Examples of these rewards are the Dependent Care Credit that encourages people to get back into the workforce and helps people pay for child care expenses. We need to find similar incentives that encourage people to reopen businesses and regain their livelihood. In some cases though, tax incentives are not enough and more active involvement is necessary to help guide people on how to become successful.
A government sponsored or private sector supported microcredit program similar to Mohammad Yunus's Nobel Prize winning Grameen Bank has been proving extremely effective and is a cause that I am personally engaged in helping to build. I also believe that there should be a major focus on creating tax incentives for wealthy individuals to create "Social Enterprises" that act in a similar way as non-profits, but the goal is to become self sustaining. Coming up with innovative ways that help encourage the joy of giving to others would be a wonderful initiative, and I believe would pay large dividends to America.
I believe that one person can make a difference, but that belief begins with an internal one that you can be successful in your endeavors and knowledge that the system encourages your success. See the attached video clip links to two stories that inspired me.
Thanks for listening,
Richard J. Krasney, CFP®
Links:
Larry B
Principal Economist at Freddie Mac
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While there are many, I would say the disengagement of the American people from the government (at all levels). I think you realize this, but how to reengage the public is quite a challenge. The reason most people disengage is because they feel powerless and that no matter what they do it won't affect the result. Either there are politicians in office who have a particular self serving agenda or they are put in office with special interest funds and are beholden to those interests. The result is that the American people have little voice in their government except as their voice may be heard through public opinion polls.
When you look at your fellow Congressional colleuges, I'm sure you see many fine people on both sides of the aisle who mean to do well. Unfortunately, I don't think they're asking the questions about how they would feel the affects of their decisions and what they would do about it. Take a "simple" issue like the safety of our food supply. I'm sure you and your collegues hear plenty of industry stories about how prodding cows who can't walk on their own into the slaughterhouse is safe and save the industry money and hence keeps the price of beef down. But think about it, do you really want to eat that cow? I would challenge you and your collegues to witness such a slaughter and then feast on the resulting beef. If you won't do it why should ordinary Americans?
I'm sure you and your collegues generally mean well and I can see, even if I disagree sometimes, how some answers are arrived at. However they just don't pass the test of Congress being reasonable stewards for the American people. There are too many issues for each individual American to track and be knowledgeable out and then to collectively act on. The government, as the representative of the people could do a better job.
Thank you.
Larry
America's biggest challenge is finding the right leadership to provide the vision and guidance for the next several years. The political, economic and social conditions today are completely unlike anything this country, indeed this world, has ever encountered in the past. With almost instant communications, issues are more immediate, markets are much more volatile and populations are much more reactive.
To keep its place in this world, America will need to find a more evolved type of leader than it has ever known. What worked in the past will largely not work today nor into this new future. It is true that every leader must possess integrity and ability and vision. But defining what that leadership will look like -today- within these qualities, I think, is America's biggest challenge.
Pegine E
Motivating Leaders in A Diverse World & Empowering People to Be Leaders with Gusto!
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Fear. Our biggest challenge is overcoming our fear of other nations, fear of the economy and fear each other. We forgot who we are...a land of dreamers and doers, the land of the courageous, the land that embraced others and welcomed innovation and new comers. We forgot what our forefathers (who every they were in our family) did to be here, the struggles, the determination and the commitment to live the American Dream. We wanted to share that with the world and we did. According to Dr. Fareed Zakaria, Editor of Newsweek International 124 countries now have a middle class, the global economy is increasing. We shared our dream with the world and now we are scared.
Our fear that their won't be enough, that there isn't enough. This fear will be our death. We need to think abundance, prosperity and innovation. We have to change our education system to live in today's world. Fear mongers are hurting our country...within the media and among politicians. Fear of immigrants who want to pluck chickens, work out in the heat picking lettuce...please. Has anyone seen anyone promoting that work for Americans???? Has the unemployment lines asked the unemployed to do that work???
I can go on...the bottom line is FEAR is hurting Americans. Weren't you fearful when you were a POW??? Aren't you fearful when you say things that go against your own party? Teach Americans to have courage for a great life, courage for prosperity, courage to take the steps to change their lives, their world for good.
Oil Dependency. Solve this and you solve MANY problems. By investing in alternatives, we will be investing in American innovation that will create new intellectual property, businesses and jobs. It will also reduce our reliance on a region in the world that will be unstable for the foreseeable future. This effort includes reducing consumption through fuel efficiency, new fuels, and addressing the undervalued cost of environmental pollution. We should be leaders in this and regain the moral high ground of freedom and industrial leadership as the world moves to a new chapter in its use of global energy. There is a real cost here and it has been subsidizing businesses that need to innovate or be replaced. Moral high ground includes leading through free markets that value true costs.
Dan D
Executive Search Consultant, Hospitality
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I think the biggest challenge America faces is to, as a culture, raise our level of character and cultural maturity so that opposing points of view are deemed worthy of respectful consideration.
Played out on the global stage, this translates as action consistent with an international partner in the same concerns laid out in our own Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
On a domestic stage, this would signal a time in which labels and perjorative terms for the opposition would cease to be the norm or the filter through which points of view are judged. Issues would be discussed with a view toward their individual solutions and solutions would be formulated outside the boundaries of ideaologies. A tall order to be sure.
A lack of real leadership.
The list of federal and political failures is too long to address within the confines of this forum. However, how is it that someone who wants to lead our country could not find the leadership to stand against his minister's sermon, "god damned america," and say it is unacceptable? How can we have a Congress that should be ensuring a prosperous future for all Americans, squander as much as 15% of the annual federal budget because they are beholden to special interests, earmarks, key political supporters, and friends to the detriment of average Americans? How can our leadership craft an effective economic policy when they lack the will and the charisma to address underlying anxieties honestly (such as the fact that far more Americans have benefited from trade with China than have been hurt, and thus the solution should not involve sanctions against China)? How can Congress restore Americans' faith in the legislative process when accountants and lawyers play central roles in tax and tort reform...or lack thereof?
We need leadership. We need someone to take a stand and say corporate America may not be perfect, but we need healthy companies to create jobs, and bashing corporate America and raising taxes that effectively makes it more difficult for companies to grow is bad governance.
Jon
Senator McCain,
I've read many of the thoughtful responses to your question - many of which have been driven by an over-hyped media. Today, I believe our biggest challenge is our global competitiveness. How will we continue to play a leadership role in the world? How will we solve the major issues of energy, equality and economic sufficiency, not just for us, but for the world at large? We must have a government focused on driving proactive change, not defending long-held - and outdated - beliefs.
Michael S
Accounting & Finance Recruitment - msterling@sterlingsearchgroup.com
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We are not governed by people who are sincerely public servants willing to put aside their self-serving interests in service to our country.
We need selflessness, responsibility, collaboration, vision, passion, integrity, humility, wisdom, and courage from our leaders. If the men and women governing us operated from these shared values, I have no doubt that together we would find the solutions to every challenge we face.
Men, women and children capable of rising to the public service heights of John Adams, Abraham Lincoln and Harry Truman are walking our streets now – but our governing culture doesn’t support them.
Yes, my answer’s idealistic. Yes, it’s from a 30,000 foot view. In my opinion, that’s exactly what’s needed from the next person flying in Air Force One.
The Comptroller General of the GAO says the US is going broke, yet both party's of our government, at all levels, continue to spend our money like drunken sailors. Without legitimate and lasting finance reform, in very short order, there will be no money left to spend on education, healthcare and the disadvantaged of our society, let alone national security. At least McCain, for the most part, has resisted the pork but will he and the rest of us have the intestinal fortitude to do what needs to be done to turn the tide?
We face many challenges but I think a very fundamental one is that we prevent America from losing its original values established when we were formed as a nation. Free markets, individual respsonsibility, individual freedom, and a government that does not take over people's lives. I cringe when I hear socialist programs proposed that would radically increase taxes and reduce the basic American values of free choice and free markets. I do not want a socialist medical program that limits my choices and reduces overall quality of care. I do not want the government telling me how to live my life and taking more and more of my money, so it can decide how it is spent - instead of me deciding how it is spent. I do not like all of this talk of class warfare, where an American who has worked hard to become successful is somehow viewed as an evil, rich "fat cat", who must be made to pay more and more taxes. Things that have made America unique and lasting and strong should be preserved, not changed to make us match a European socialist model.
The biggest challenge will be to move Our Country back to a more Jeffersonian democracy and away from socialism.
Sal M
President at Opportunity Planning Intl. and Owner, Opportunity Planning Intl.
Trusting politicians. Reagan did a great job this.
I would have to say the biggest threat we face is definitely terrorism. Moreover, the fact that our borders are completely open makes us even more vulnerable.
I would suggest that America's culture of entitlement is one of the greatest challenges we face in this new century. Our nation has lost its entrepreneurial drive as our citizens and guests seem to have forgotten the values of self-reliance, self-governance, self-improvement, and self-respect- the true drivers of America’s charitable spirit. One of America's greatest strengths, that of enabling its citizens to fulfill their dreams, is being relegated to a strong government, a social state, and we are turning into a lazy nation. As our president you will need to understand and promote models of personal accountability, development, and enrichment, to engrain back in our culture the drive that has made us a great nation.
BRIAN A
President, BA Search Group Executive Search Consultant
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Thanks for the question and using LinkedIn.
Your question has many veins and the solutions needed requires Purpose, Passion, and Commitment to Change. My reply is a brief overview.
Leadership: Leadership, First Who / Then What. We need people centered leadership on both side of the isle from top down. A process that will take the next several decades. Our country like a well run business takes time to set the leadership then cast the vision and mission. Then engage all 300M citizens in this county to embrace change. Our founding fathers set in motion the Declaration of Independence for a Self –Government, not special interest groups. What does your executive team look like?
Ownership: What I mean here is we need to focus on One Nation, our Nation. First and foremost, If we can’t lead ourselves we truly can’t be the Superpower of the world. We need to have a voice in the UN and the G8. However, spending time, effort, energy and rebuilding our Nation for the next 4/8 years would set our course to be better equipped to add Global value. What is your plan to retake ownership of our Nation?
Restoration: Case in point, our entire education system needs bottom up attention. Our middle class is falling behind and we need to create a real value stimulus package that will add real growth for the economic engine to grow. We need to rethink outsourcing at all levels and provide companies incentives to be innovative here in this Nation and assure we provide US citizens the opportunities to build their American dream. What is your plan for this?
Steve S
Your Friendly Neighborhood Inventor LIq&a
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Integrity... that's what our challenge is. We need integrity from the top on down... we need integrity here within our own house, and we need integrity out amongst the other nations of the world.
A nation without integrity will not, can not last.
Just look around at all the freakin' bullshit that has come down the pipes in the past two decades or so. We are in such a mess, it's impossible to believe that we have the best and brightest leading us into the future. It looks more like what we have running the show is a bunch of dishonest, slackers, trying to apply minimal effort to secure riches for their own personal avarice.
People in power are servants! Well they're suppose to be, but that's not the mindset in Washington any longer. It's just one great big country club of the elite.
Well it's getting to the point where the people in power have to quit hiding behind plausible denial, and realize that real flesh and blood individuals pay a price in human suffering for every penny they take out of the nation coffers and stick in their pocket. (All completely within the letter of the law, as written by those very same people in power, but nonetheless still crooked.)
Americans suffering have to be addressed first, then we can look to our neighbors in this hemisphere, and then look to our neighbors elsewhere.
Write to me, if you care to have be elaborate on any of this.
Steve Stokes
Moderator of Atlanta's Philosophy Café
Restoring Voter confidence.
Thank You,
Tony
D. Anthony Bright / CEO / Founder
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I am an immigrant in this country and my prespective is what I see what makes America Great and What I see this country needs to do to keep it Great.
First I live in the silicon valley and so I am more Tech biased. One thing you see in the valley is that to make greatest contribution in any area of technology or any field we need openness of Ideas and willingness to listen to any body and any Idea. this requires free exchange of Ideas, freedom to travel to other places and get the best talent in the world to execute the most promising ideas and not be afraid to fail. I do not encourage illegal immigration but a very fair and prudent immigration policy. Any restrictions put on this free exchange will put America back which I think is it greatest strength.
We need to open markets around the world for this Nation to freely trade with the rest of the world. I know that this is sensitive issue that that in some countries it is not a level playing field but then the President has to set the agenda to make sure that we get the level playing field and it be fair for all in the rest of the world. We will then have to work hard to keep ourselves competitive and be the No 1. One thing we need here is that we need to be respected and looked up to as a country that sets the right example and then we will succeed. Most countries around the world do not like the attitude "Do as I tell you and not as I do" and that breeds resentment.
America needs to invest in its people, its infrastructure and do it so that it is environmentally sustainable and again it is an example to follow. We need to improve the education system for two things: every body should have access to education and finances should not be the reason why someone does not get one, the second thing is that the people who have a talent and gift in any area should be able to develop it without road blocks. These are the people who will bring the extra bumps in prosperity which this country needs.This country can and must make sure that without doing welfare strive to provide access to better and affordable health care, childcare, elderly care and other services because this will free up people from worrying about some of the things that prevent them from being productive, Also I resent the fact that some people in power at the corporate level and government are not held accountable for their actions. I do not mind CEOs making millions when things are doing great, and need to be rewarded for success. What I resent is that when a CEOs destroys a company or organization he still walks away with a sweetheart deal. This is true with a lot of positions of power and influence not just corporate positions. This is other form of welfare, This system had to be made fair or else this corruption will destroy this country.
On foreign policy and military policy what this country needs is a very strong military and very strong fiscal as well as technology position. I say that because people should be afraid to mess with this country from any vantage point. But a more prudent approach should be that our policy should be absolutely fair, transparent without any hidden agenda so that when we deal with countries friendly or unfriendly the rest of the world and the countries themselves should have no doubt what we will do and how they will be treated. Will we have adversaries: yes. But if we are doing the right things we will have far fewer unfriendly countries. All we have to tell others should be "follow our example". Simplifying foreign policy this way will be the challenge!!
Dear Senator McCain,
As a fellow Arizonan, I am proud of you using this media to reach out to your fellow countrymen and voters- great idea!
After much thought, I believe that the country's largest problem is the problem that historically has brought down most great and powerful empires and even people- namely, decadence. Please don't think this is an academic answer, what I mean by this is excess in everything. Look at examples such as the Roman Empire, or even the current situation Eliot Spitzer finds himself in.
The practical or applied ways in which to manage or legislate this are (my opinions):
1) less government (the less is more philosophy, which should also lead to less taxes and debt);
2) rugged individualism (let people work hard for what they receive and they will respect it more- let individuals and private groups find ways to provide healthcare and welfare to the needy, not more government);
3) expect greatness from people (give them opportunities to succeed = I personally, don't mind tax breaks for investments, R&D expenditures, and educational expenses, etc.);
4) expect individual responsibility (there are laws, and people that break laws should expect to suffer the consequences- although a somewhat simplistic view, would help resolve some issues such as corruption in government and illegal immigration); and finally;
5) be humble and look at the positives in your life/country (our leaders have to be the examples for our citizens and particularly the young people in the US- we need more leaders like Abraham Lincoln [quiet, strong and passionate] to lead us into the future).
Just my thoughts and possible biases!
David
I think the polarization of the population is the major issue. The extreme left and right think more about being right than being American. I probably spend too much time listening to talk radio and watching cable news. The language is divisive, the positions fixed and rigid and opposing sides are downright hostile. It is no surprise we can't address problems in education, healthcare, national defense, and infrastructure. Underneath all of this is the greed of special interest groups who ask first of all, what's in it for me.
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