In 2016, although all the candidates will run a campaign based on changing Washington-just as the current president did-nothing will actually change. Regardless of whether it's a Democrat or Republican who next enters the White House, the rancor between the two parties will continue and the nation's urgent business will languish. In mid-summer 2015 the host of Meet the Press, Chuck Todd, noted almost as many Americans identify as Independents (42%) as Democrats (27%) and Republicans (20%) combined; a growing trend towards Independents. The message from that revelation should be pretty clear. The American people are increasingly disenchanted with partisan politics, gridlock in Washington and all the theatrics and spending surrounding the presidential election. And they are breaking ranks with the established political parties The urgency of action today argues for a much larger view of the world landscape, and a strong leader in the White House who is both pragmatic and able to work across the political aisle. Yes, demographics are changing as the country becomes grayer and less white, and a larger number are unmarried. There's room in America for all who choose to be responsible and productive citizens. As citizens, we all have a responsibility to vote. Written with clarity, this book will help voters understand the issues that must be addressed by those we elect to public office. It offers suggestions, not molded from or crafted to fit a political party ideology, for solving the problems and meeting the challenges we face. How we handle them will define the America we leave to the next generations.