Vital national interests as a debate discussion

The subject should be on the table as going to the core of what is important to America, or at least what the candidate says is important to him or her. The issue goes down to leadership. This even assumes they are “briefed up” on this subject which is seldom talked about by those running for office. What a sad state of affairs, especially if this is a result of media managers working in cahoots with debate sponsors. And the time leading up to the election is still over 12 months, so there is plenty of time. And the subject of vital national interests should extend to local and state elections, as well as federal elections. So many vital national interests are domestic is why.

Here’s two examples. Preserving “the rule of law” is a vital national interest. “Education of our kids” is a vital national interest.

There are many national interests. Just ask PETA or the ACLU or organized environmental groups like the NRDC. There are many international interests, too. Just ask the U.N. or the Swedish Nobel Committee. In practical terms as a straw man question, is it in our vital national interests as to whether former Vice President Gore gets a Nobel Peace prize or not?

So let us Americans have the debate about what is vital to our future. This is a most idealistic goal.

The practical suggests some form of coercion will be needed to hear what people think.