I have immense respect for the majority of my family, friends, fellow veterans and first-responders – and am especially grateful for our shared values in dedication to community, country, and our fellow human beings. That said, as a mediator and workshop moderator trying to depolarize and defeat the political tribalism that is killing us, I used to think that the one thing that everyone might agree upon is the need for higher levels of integrity, transparency, and certainly for ACCOUNTABILITY at all levels of governance. I am saddened that this belief appears to have been naive and misguided. Most of my 35-years of government service was in intelligence, criminal and civil investigations. A good part of that was working economic crimes and trying to expose the Fraud, Waste & Abuse that was rampant – and too often insulated by complacency and/or corruption. While what we are now seeing is arguably clumsy in its execution and messaging, it is also arguably the most transparent exposure of the misuse, abuse and outright theft of our tax dollars that has gone on for decades, ever-bolder and worsening from one administration to the next. At long last, after so many broken promises, someone is attempting to do something about it – up against an entrenched bureaucracy and those intent on self-preservation – people who are NOT striving for what is best for the country. I am cautiously optimistic, very much NOT a fan of the awkward man-child leading this charge, but I rejoice every day that the ever-worsening abuse of the American people was stopped on November 5, 2024. Please do not allow your compassion for your fellow humans, and HATE for the man now in charge, to get in the way of fairly and objectively assessing what exactly is going on – arguably in the most transparent way ever – warts and all. In the end, I am hopeful that with the elevation of public servant accountability, that we will end up with much higher levels of both fairness and justice – for everyone. For entirely too long, unelected bureaucrats have established an entrenched bureaucracy that has undermined our Democratic Republic. If you (all) disagree with my perspective – at least try to understand and respect it – just as I try to understand, respect, and appreciate yours. Let’s have a conversation. I promise that I am a liberal-minded, moderate conservative who believes in civil and constructive dialogue.