CHALLENGE TO ALL ARKANSAWERS - HOW DO WE CHANGE OUR REPUTATION?

This is an Open Post To All Citizens of the Great State of Arkansas

I am - and I hope you are - very tired of (& at times embarrassed about) watching, reading, & listening as the good citizens of Arkansas continually fall into last place or near the bottom of virtually every meaningful statistic in existence. As a result we are regularly the butt of comedic jokes. It almost an institutional belief.

One of the reasons we continually finish poorly is we generally don't have high expectations for finishing. Our "bar" is so low the world champion limbo person couldn't crawl under it. It is time to significantly raise the bar.

I'm not talking to/about everyone in Arkansas; I know a list of people who expect great things, but numbers don't lie.

In general, you get what you expect. Or said another way, you get what you prepare to get. Expect to succeed and you probably will...expect to fail and you probably will. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy,

I SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...

I believe it's time to challenge our collective (& individual) attitude...Rally behind Boone and the Pickens Plan. Show everyone Arkansawers are capable of being at the top of incredibly important things. It's time to expect we will make a significant difference.

Here's the formula: Do what you can do and encourage everyone in your circle of influence to do the same. It's not that hard. We just need to expect great results. I know this for a fact: When Arkansawers respond incredible things happen.

The need to free ourselves from dependence on the fossil fuels that literally dominate our lives is urgent and pervasive!

We spend $700 BILLION on foreign oil E-V-E-R-Y year. I can't even begin to wrap my brain around those types of numbers...we have a "re-existing condition" that makes the banking and auto industry bailout look like pocket change!!

I don't have all the answers - never have, never will. All I'm proposing to do is help lead Arkansas to a better place.

That's my commitment...Will you lead with me? Will you follow? Either way, we win!!

Regards,
Ross Yingling
Conway, AR
Arkansas Congressional District 02 Co-Leader

Tags: arkansas, arkansawer, bar, challenge, expectations, green, last, more, no, raise

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sandy on January 1, 2009 at 5:10am: Hear, hear!!
Having recently moved here from VA, I see a lot of good already--such as the recent joining in to the Clinton Climate Initiative, the development of wind energy, the fact that we are one of 10 states with a budget surplus, the availability of tuition-free higher education for age 60+ students, the world class community centers with indoor pool and gym facilities, the blessed lack of traffic congestion, the whole downtown/River Market/Clinton Center area, the great VA and UAMS facilities, the number of fine live theater groups, and, last, but definitely not least--the fine, friendly people who hold many different points of view. Not to forget all the natural beauty and resources. I think that AR is positioned perfectly to be a leader in the new energy arena--and I hope that Boone Pickens will soon be able to come here and meet with the powers that be, as well as speak to the people. He certainly has the ability to make the issues clear in so many ways--and the technical expertise to answer the naysayers.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ross Yingling on January 2, 2009 at 3:09pm: Sandy,

Thanks for your wonderful response!! Some things I needed to be reminded of. Here's what I see...$700 Billion going out & coming back as investments in (among many other things) the sand creations in the Persian Gulf by the Dubai Government. Hundreds of Billions of Dollars going into islands of pleasure and luxury. I don't think they were wrong to do it...they have steadily and easily siphoned our money for decades & we've helped them enjoy their lifestyle.

However, the investments that give me the most trouble are the ones by the chief Sultan of the Dubai's investment portfolio in the Chrysler building in New York. They are taking our money, then coming back and buying our national landmarks and real estate. Brilliant on their part, a senseless loss of wealth & property!!

Ross; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Luane Todd on January 8, 2009 at 4:01pm: The meeting in Eureka Springs is a start. Let's give support to those Arkansans who have begun the dialog. Who knows where it will take us.

Lu; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Luane Todd on January 9, 2009 at 1:49pm: Meeting in Eureka Springs details...

GREEN GROUP SUMMIT
There will be what Eureka Springs Time Bank member Becky Gillettecalls a "green group summit" on January 10th starting at 1PM at the Carnegie Public Library Annex, 194 Spring St. Eureka Springs. Thegroups Planet Home and the Obama Change is Coming will be presenting a talk given by Mr.Robert McAfee.
Mr. McAfee is from the Alliance for Economy and Climate Solutions which is promoting the Governor's
Commission on Global Warming Initiatives, which will lead to energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy sources, and will provide stimulus for economic growth through green collar jobs. ( The web site of the alliance is www.repowerarkansas.org )
This is a win/win approach to Planet Home core initiatives and creating long-term, sustainable jobs for Carroll County to replace the ones we have been losing. Let's make our lovely county a beacon for
the rest of the state!
Refreshments will be served and there will be time for networking among attendees and the various Green groups expected to attend. Mr. McAfee will offer a PowerPoint presentation, the "Repower Arkansas
Road Show" and will answer questions from the audience. A representative from each of the green groups expected to attend will talk a little about what their groups focus is, followed by time for
networking among all groups and attendees.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ross Yingling on January 10, 2009 at 12:32am: Luane,

Thank you for the invitation, but I got my head wrapped around this too late to attend this one. I know there are others & I've also requested one be held in Conway.

Thanks again for putting me onto this!!

Ross; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Roy King on January 12, 2009 at 10:43am: Ross
I hear your concern on bring much needed shine to the Great State of Arkansas. Bad news sells and no doubt AR has had maybe more than its share. I know there are good people in Ar that maybe like myself have remained silent in order to remain disassociated from the corupt or hypocritical antics that lead to the comedic caricatures. I would be willing to join you in efforts to move our State forward. I emailed my request to serve as District 01 leader just before reading your
post. I notice that you are the 02 Co-Leader. While I await the response on my request, I'd like to express that I am willing to join with you in an ARKANSAS Better Place Initiative. Let me know what you've got in mind. May I have access to your leadership guidance in the event I am approved for the leadership? Don't have all the answers either, however I have no fear of failure. Be glad to work with you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ross Yingling on January 12, 2009 at 4:54pm: Roy,

You are a welcomed sight, my new friend!! Your path to feeling moved to be the AR-01 Leader is EXACTLY how & why I volunteered for AR-02. I saw the first Ad campaign message on TV and immediately felt this was something I needed to do, so I got up and joined. Not something I normally do. As you, I'm far from a political person.

On to the good stuff...Geoff Bailey is the Regional Leader for AR, OK, TX, & LA. He will respond to you quickly. Once he does I'll be happy to work with and help you all I can.

Welcome! And I look forward to working with you closely in the future!!

Ross
AR-02 District Leader; ▶ Reply to This