5 Things the Next President Should Do To Build a Stronger America
Nov 4, 2024
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The discussion centers on five crucial actions the next president should take to strengthen America. It critiques current transportation funding and suggests prioritizing traffic safety through state reforms. There's a focus on the hazards of 'zombie highways' and misallocated resources. The speakers highlight the community impacts of the proposed I-49 highway project and stress the importance of addressing the national housing crisis. Ultimately, collaboration with local leaders is emphasized as vital for lasting change and effective problem-solving.
The podcast emphasizes the need for the next president to prioritize local initiatives and empower community leaders over federal projects.
A suggestion is made to allow the Highway Trust Fund to expire, shifting focus from outdated highway projects to necessary infrastructure maintenance.
The importance of fostering a culture of respect and understanding in political dialogue is highlighted, promoting collaboration across differing ideologies.
Deep dives
Challenges of Travel and Engagement
The speaker reflects on the challenges faced during an extended period of travel followed by an active book tour, recognizing the struggle to maintain consistent communication. Despite managing initial tasks well, the demands of travel began to take a toll, leading to a lapse in podcast production and engagement with the audience. This travel provided the speaker with unique insights into various communities across the U.S., enhancing their understanding of local dynamics in planning and engineering. The experiences fostered a sense of appreciation for the ongoing work in these communities, despite the difficulties of balancing personal and professional commitments.
The Impact of Elections on Engagement
A significant focus is placed on the upcoming presidential election and its overwhelming influence on public attention, leading to a temporary pause in other activities. The organization intentionally slows down communication during this time, recognizing that public engagement typically diminishes as the election approaches. There's an acknowledgment of the importance of the organization's work, even while understanding that larger political events overshadow local initiatives. Amidst the election noise, the organization remains committed to their mission, preparing for renewed engagement post-election.
Nonpartisan Objectives and Local Leadership
The conversation highlights the nonpartisan nature of the organization's mission, emphasizing the need for local leaders to take initiative regardless of political affiliations. It reveals that many local officials are increasingly adopting the organization's guidelines in their campaigns, promoting local solutions for street safety, housing affordability, and community engagement. This movement encourages local leaders to reject reliance on large projects and focus on continual, incremental improvements in their communities. The organization aims to foster understanding and dialogue among diverse community members, urging leaders to prioritize a cooperative approach over partisanship.
Proposed Actions for the Next President
The speaker outlines five key recommendations for the incoming president, focusing on the need for significant systemic changes in transportation and housing policies. The first suggestion is to allow the Highway Trust Fund to expire, arguing that it perpetuates outdated highway expansion projects and detracts from necessary maintenance. Another critical recommendation is to prioritize street safety by appointing a dedicated leader for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), emphasizing the urgency of addressing rising traffic fatalities. The speaker also calls for the elimination of ineffective 'zombie projects' and proposes a national housing summit to engage local leaders in meaningful reforms to address the ongoing housing crisis.
Encouraging Civil Discourse and Local Action
A call for de-escalation in political rhetoric is made, as the speaker emphasizes the need for leaders to foster a culture of respect and understanding across political divides. The suggestion includes a unilateral ceasefire for 18 months, encouraging the next president to avoid personal attacks and foster an inclusive dialogue within communities. The speaker advocates for recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives in local governance, encouraging collaboration between differing ideologies. Ultimately, there's a belief that communities can thrive through grassroots efforts, regardless of national political dynamics, by caring for one another and working towards common goals.
Strong Towns is a nonpartisan organization that’s focused on starting change from the local level, not the federal one. However, Chuck was recently challenged to come up with five things that the next president, whoever they end up being, should do once they’re in office. In today’s episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, he shares that list and explains why each item is important to building a stronger America.
