Phillip Whitaker: Speaker
Phil applies logic to past experiences and research in a way that is informative and interesting.
His talks are conversational and he has a way of drawing the audience into the topic by using questions and personal anecdotes. By explaining sometimes complicated subjects with practical illustrations, the audience leaves with a sense of ownership of the topic and an increased interest in what they can do next to make meaningful changes.
Phil Whitaker skillfully uses oratory, research data, and practical illustrations to wrap audiences into a participative experience.
Special speaker or seminar topics available:
Debt and Taxes – The old adage has most often been quoted as “nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Now it seems we have entered an era where the fact is, debt and taxes are both supposed to be considered permanent and sacrosanct parts of legitimate government activity. In this topic, I show exactly how your money is viewed by the federal government, and why it has become impossible to get Congress (no matter which party is in charge) to do their most basic Constitutional duty – Pass a budget that includes revenue and expenses clearly defined for all American citizens to see.
The Consent of the Governed – (election participation and effectiveness) Our Constitution is based upon the principle that government “derives its just powers from the consent of the governed.” Citizens complain about the government more than any other entity, and large majorities of citizens feel as though their voices are ignored by elected officials. What can be done by average people to change this dynamic?
Caring for Those in Need – (public welfare and how to use it) How much does the federal government spend on need-based programs? How much progress has been made in the “War on Poverty” that was launched during the Administration of Lyndon Johnson? Are there more efficient ways to meet needs and still balance the budget?
How are Constitutional Amendments Done – The Constitution of the United States has twenty-seven Amendments added since being ratified in 1789. How many have been proposed that were not approved? Is Congress the only authority to propose amendments? What is this I keep hearing about some “convention of states” to amend the Constitution? Is that a dangerous idea?
What Does it Say? What Does it Mean? Understanding the organization of the U.S. Constitution. How we got what we have, and what was intended by the framers. The United States Constitution is not a stand-alone document. It was drafted as a way to implement the principles that drove the colonies to declare independence from England. Before we can understand what it means now, we must understand what it meant then and examine whether or not that meaning is still beneficial to society today.
These topics can be combined or modified to meet the interests or event you have scheduled. Each of these events is designed to not only inform, but to train and equip citizens to be active in the government process. Remember, “We the People” are the government.