An Open Letter to American Voters

Dear Voters of the United States (Red, Purple, and Blue):

Many of you have already voted, but most of you will cast your votes on election day, Tuesday, 5 November 2024.? Please be mindful that the entire world is watching and waiting to read about or hear about the results.? Please consider the following “philosophy” of voting in any American democracy electoral contest.

All: Voting is of paramount importance; every vote does count, and any democratic election is free and fair when the electorate votes in impressive numbers.

Red States:? Each voter has a voice and each voter should vote individually for the candidate or candidates that are best equipped to face the challenges of the office at hand.

Purple States: Your states are frequently described as swing states or battleground states and for weeks you have been pummeled with polls and predictions.? Polls as you know have a margin of error and are based on a random sample of voters.? The actual votes often surprise and “defy” all of the predictions. ??Please vote based on your conscience.

Blue States:? Similar to the points above for Red and Purple states, the predictions may collapse if registered voters do not get out and actually cast a ballot.? Personal choice should preempt any party pressure.

All:? Please consider the following nonpartisan list of questions when casting your ballot (in this 2024 election, or any election):

** Which candidate has the best character?? In other words, which candidate would be a good or great role model for your children and grandchildren?

** Which candidate would be the best representative of the United States with American Allies and Adversaries?

Discussion

Philosopher Frederick Nietzsche, one of the most celebrated authors of the nineteenth century, wrote an intriguing book in 1886 entitled Beyond Good and Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future. Nietzsche’s concept of Beyond Good and Evil is complex, but it seems highly relevant in 2024.? Based on Theology or Philosophy some choices in geopolitical life involve choices between the lesser of two evils.? In 1945 President Truman authorized the bombing of Tokyo and the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima.? Japan ultimately surrendered.? Truman’s decisions which led to the end of the war could be considered to be beyond good and evil.? The nuclear bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945? could be considered beyond the somewhat normal choices between good and evil.? The bombing of Nagasaki three days later on 9 August 1945 could be considered to be an evil choice as Japan did not have enough time to fully assess the damage and devastation suffered by the people of Hiroshima.? No person or president is perfect or infallible; nevertheless, selecting candidates closer to that ideal is our electoral objective. Adding a question to the two questions listed above:

** Which candidate would be more likely to make a good decision if the world is once again faced with a decision that is beyond good and evil?

Concluding Thoughts

Many of us are quite ready to see the conclusion to a long and traumatic campaign.? We hope to see a peaceful transfer of power.? By and large, the Red or Blue states will be happy or unhappy with the results. Similarly, the Purple states will have a mixed emotion.? The important message to send throughout the world, is to demonstrate a peaceful transfer of power and not a have another insurrection such as the horrible one we witnessed on 6 January 2021.? The world is indeed watching and the preservation and proof of effectiveness of democracy is on the ballot along with the candidates.? Elections are not beyond good and evil; however, let us have a good election and not an evil one.? Nietzsche ends his book with images of “autumnal and yellow” (p. 237) and a word portrait of man “Man, a manifold, mendacious (untruthful), artificial, and opaque animal, uncanny to the other animals less because of his [her] strength than because of his cunning and shrewdness, has invented the good conscience to enjoy his soul for once as simple; and the whole of morality is a long undismayed forgery which alone makes it at all possible to enjoy the sight of the soul” (p. 230).? As our first American president, George Washington, warned, “Labor to keep alive … that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.”

Reference

Nietzsche, F. (1886). Beyond good and evil: Prelude to a philosophy of the future. Vintage Books.? https://www.google.com/books/edition/Beyond_Good_Evil/Rv8N7Y3XWkcC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Beyond+good+and+evil:+Prelude+to+a+philosophy+of+the+future.&printsec=frontcover

Link to a discussion of Presidential Requirements:

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/presidential-requirements-inquiring-comprehensive-calm-ma-ms-dba/?trackingId=7e2WYI%2FlTMa7YS%2BYRjMlGQ%3D%3D