Seizing Opportunity to Lead

Sen. Booker,

You have an opportunity of the moment that would benefit the nation, the government, constituents, your party, and your political career; and should you decide to run for the Democratic nomination for President, it would set you apart from other contenders. In seizing this opportunity, you would actually just be doing your duty as a Senator. You would be fulfilling your oath to serve and follow the Constitution. This ought to make it a simple decision to act. As the re-opening of the government is being temporarily undertaken today, the timing of your opportunity moment is entangled with the duration of that agreement and the negotiations that follow.

The opportunity is to offer a solution to the current government funding versus Border-Wall dilemma (or impasse, if you prefer). You are likely to think I am making an improbable proposition and that there is no real opportunity here. I hope that before you dismiss and stop reading, you will be at least curious enough about what the nature of the opportunity is.

The opportunity is to present a proposed solution to the Border-wall, Border-security, or National Security issue (whichever term you prefer; I’ll use Border-wall as a proxy in this document) that would be acceptable to the needs and interests of both Democratic and Republican leaders, and to the public at large (of all political ilks). Such a solution would avert are re-closing of the government and a perpetuation of the inane confrontation over who “Wins”. The proposed solution is an instance of a “win-win” solution, and if you factor in the government remaining open then it’s a “win-win-win”. You also get a ‘win’ since there is no evidence or likelihood that this solution will be the one that gets negotiated during the ‘interim’ reopening of government for Congress to come to terms of their own customary, diluted and inept hodge-podge of a funding bill.

The proposal to resolve the dispute is to use and rely upon a standard problem-solving methodology to produce a solution that meets the requirements and goals said solution must deliver. I suspect that you think this has already been done, but I assure you that it has not. The problem has to be defined, not just stated. The Border-wall problem hasn’t been defined. So, part of the solution is to have a clear, documented and approved statement of the problem. In addition to the problem, the requirements and constraints that need to be accounted for and included in a solution need to be well-defined. Just as the problem hasn’t been well-defined, the requirements are in all likelihood either absent or a feeble effort. Lastly, the goals and objectives that a solution must deliver also need to be defined and agreed to. These are just the basic steps to get started to reach a sound, reasoned and informed approach and solution.

One thing I think you would recognize as important in sustaining the current impasse is that the problem that Congress Is struggling with; that the media is zealously focused on and reporting on; that the public is upset, conflicted and divided over is the “funding of the Wall” is not the problem at all. Funding is not the emotional connection, funding is not the obstacle, funding is not an unacceptable burden; but it is the political rallying cry over which each side is combating. Part of your opportunity is to proclaim that everyone is missing the issue and distracted by the theatre of political puppetry. The real issue, the true issue and the issue that Congress should and must address is “Does America Gain a Sufficient Benefit for What It Will Pay for a Wall?”. If it does, then a problem-solving approach will demonstrate that; if it does not, a problem-solving approach will show that too.

There’s a lot more required to do this, but this is the way forward that makes sense to what is expected from and required of our elected officials. I would be happy to assist in any manner that might be useful.

But you have to make a quick assessment now. You have to choose to seize the opportunity now. This is a moment where you can lead, but it a closing window and you have to decide now.

I wish you well, and hope that you are successful in your endeavors and most importantly that your service to the nation advances our society, government and values.