ELECT DR. CLEMENT E. GLENN-GOVERNOR
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
[Campaign Platform Issues and Action Plan for Shared-Governance]
INTRODUCTION – Problem-Solving is Everyone’s Responsibility
Learning is life-long. It is very true that no one gets too old to learn. Whether it involves a new job, new career, or new relationship, learning is a must if any of us are to be successful at either endeavor. Texas is in serious need of exceptional leadership that values education over legislation. My academic credentials are self-evident; my vision for the future of ALL Texans is clear; my understanding of what needs to transpire is sound; and my convictions will never waver when it comes to equal access and justice for all who commit to the golden rule that teaches us to: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” As Texas Governor, I will be a catalyst for real change at the grassroots community and university/college level. A Board of Governors will be established at each level. At the community level, they will represent each of the five primary institutions of a community: 1) Family; 2) School; 3) Church (Places of Worship); 4) Business; and 5) Government, and will be established and linked directly to the Governor’s office for the purpose of addressing problems and issues specifically associated with each respective Texas county/community. At the university/college level, board members will represent: 1) Students; 2) Faculty; 3) Staff; 4) Administrators; and 5) Alumni, and will also be linked to my office for the purpose of addressing student, campus and institutional issues. Please consider the following issues and how I plan to address them:
EDUCATION - Education that is Relevant to Life, Not Just the Workforce
As a Statesman, not a Politician, my focus will be on placing a greater emphasis on quality education of children and re-education and training of adults in our 254 counties/communities. Theodore Roosevelt said, “To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.” Quality education involves more than developing academic intelligence. It must also be designed to positively impact attitudes and behaviors. This requires changing the one-size-fits-all educational model that largely emphasizes teaching an academic skill set. The new educational model will emphasize five additional skill sets: 1) Technical; 2) Financial; 3) Social; 4) Values; and 5) Dietary/Exercise. Redesigning curricula and providing new instructional training will be required. Funding for appropriately educating children and re-educating/training adults will be made available through federal, state and private foundation sources.
ANTISOCIAL; UNLAWFUL; AND IMMORAL BEHAVIOR - Effectively Engaging Places of Worship into the Community Learning Process
As a Statesman, not a Politician, my leadership will place special emphasis on structure from a community-wide perspective. There are 168 hours in a 7-day week. When public schools are in session, roughly 40 of the 168 hours are spent at school. Schools alone cannot solve the totality of problems that exists in our communities. I plan to lead the way with creating new employment and career opportunities for historically disenfranchised parents and responsible adults. Places of Worship will be expected to fill a supervisory, educational and recreational void that exists in our communities by providing structured after-school, before-school, weekend, summer, daycare and family counseling and intervention programs. Assistance will be provided for proper setup that qualifies each entity for federal, state, and/or private foundation funding.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDER-EMPLOYMENT – Creating New Environmental Friendly Jobs and Career Opportunities that are Linked to the Natural Resources of Texas
There is a rude awakening that ALL Texans must face and confront. We are now confronted with numerous layoffs in conjunction with numerous job seekers who are continually graduating and/or dropping out of high schools, colleges and universities with the hope of obtaining employment. This is a dilemma that requires changing the mindset of Texans who desire to work. This new mindset must focus on careers, not jobs which are one of three components of careers. The other two components are management and ownership. There are many Texans who possess the talent and gifts to progress beyond a job to either management or entrepreneurship. Jobs must become a means to an end, not the end itself. As a Statesman, not a Politician, I will take the leadership role with changing the mindset and vision from preparing for a job to preparing for a career that involves management and/or entrepreneurship. Texans must be orientated and indoctrinated to have the vision and courage to work hard and smart with the purpose of transitioning in and out of the labor force into management and small business ownership that can qualify for federal, state and/or private foundation startup or expansion funding. Many of these new and expanded businesses will be positioned to hire individuals and train students through intern- and apprenticeships. Sun and wind represents new energy sources.
UNSUITABLE WORKING CONDITIONS – Eliminating the Shameful Treatment and Physical Conditions that Many Texans are Forced to Endure
Respect is desired by all people at all levels. As a Statesman, not a Politician, I understand that the most important resource we have in Texas is our citizens. Under my leadership ALL Texans will have their civil and human rights protected and respected. Mistreatment of our most important resource will no longer be tolerated under my administration. It is my belief that Texans who are treated with dignity and respect will meet and exceed performance expectations which will have a tremendous impact on our State’s current and future economic growth and development. Funding from various sources will be provided and/or matched to address unsuitable conditions. Sensitivity training will be provided for ALL supervisors and managers in an effort to redeem them before penalty or dismissal.
UNSAFE ROADS, HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES – Substantive Improvements, Restoration and Renovations Designed to Keep Texans Safe
As a Statesman, not a Politician, I am not a proponent of the Trans Texas Corridor, but I am committed to the safety of ALL Texans. It has not escaped my attention that our local, county and state roads, highways and bridges are in desperate need of improvement. Again, I will be the catalyst for determining how we address these desperate times concerning transportation in Texas. I will take personal responsibility for interviewing candidates to fill the critical role of leadership in our highway department. A member of my Governor Generals staff will work closely with local and county road and bridge officials to identify specific needs and identify appropriate funding sources to underwrite planned projects designed to restore quality at the local and county level.
LACK OF QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MEDICAL CARE – Design Programs that Meet the Specific Needs of Senior Citizens and the Disabled, including Military Veterans
As a Statesman, not a Politician, I will now make a vow to never forget or show disrespect to our senior citizens and disabled individuals in Texas. This is yet another serious issue where the golden rule must be effectively communicated, advocated and fulfilled under my leadership. Quality and affordable housing and medical care is a rite of passage for those individuals who have endured time, disease and tragedy. The respective county/community Board of Governors will be held accountable by my cabinet of Governor Generals for making certain that individuals who are members of these groups do not fall through the bureaucratic cracks. Housing and supplemental medical care will be funded from federal, state and private foundation sources.
A Statesman is someone who expertly governs in a true (participatory) democracy where educational, economic and relational empowerment is the goal. Governance will be shared at the community and university/college level with communication, collaboration, coordination and cooperation setting the tone for the pursuit of excellence in Texas, America and the world.
