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can facilitate local elections in most areas with minimal effort. Building a national government is
extraordinarily difficult. It’s compli- cated, the needs of a diverse array of stakeholders must be balanced, and the stakes are quite large. All of this takes a great deal of time. We’ve wast- ed years waiting for top-down gov- ernment solutions in both theaters. Working from the bottom-up af-
fords us several advantages. Gener- ally speaking, the issues are simpler and more direct. There is a smaller, less diverse constituency with fewer competing agendas. The issues on the table, while important, seldom have the potential for a dramatic national impact. These advantages combine to allow for a quicker move through the developmental process. Focusing on the local level of po- litical and security developments al- lows time to develop leaders for the longer term. The stakes are lower, and it’s easier to recover from mistakes. For instance, the mayor of a small town is found to be taking bribes or kickbacks in awarding contracts. Removing him from office is much simpler than removing a governor or cabinet member. While honesty in a city councilman is no guarantee he’ll be an honest legislator, it’s better than what we do now. Allow individ- uals to build a track record and then elevate those who demonstrate capa- bility and potential. Build the federal institutions slowly, over time. Nation-building creates allies, not continual problems. Working from the bottom up greatly improves our chances for enduring success by cre- ating a solid foundation. It also pro- vides the opportunities to deal with mistakes early, while the stakes are lower. Will this take time? Absolutely. Iraq and Afghanistan already have, with mediocre results. Going forward, let’s build from the bottom up. — Lt. Col. Stephen M. McMillion, USA
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