Jonathan McColumn
BRIGADIER GENERAL (RETIRED), U.S. ARMY
CLERGY
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR
CONSULTANT

My Perspective

I support the direction in which the current administration continues to lead our nation. One nation under God is consistent with our Founding Fathers’ intent, in spite of the issue of slavery (which was corrected by the 13th Amendment to the Constitution); may God bless America! That God established that they are male and female and He is the giver of life at conception. Thus, God and science attests to humanness consisting of male and female genders – only.

Parental involvement is critical at every juncture in rearing their own children; the state must welcome that long held tradition.

Our nation is secured by our on sovereign borders; it is our right to secure it through an effective National Security policy. Many want to enter the US – I don’t blame them; do it the right way (legally). Anybody crossing our border without vetting does so illegally. Equal opportunity, underscored by meritocracy is the highlight of fairness in every field of human endeavor. The rule of law is necessary to co-exist; without it, anarchy would reign.

While we enjoy prosperity and wealth, our current National debt will undermine a credible future; we must fix it. A strong, volunteer military is critical to safeguarding our beliefs with the continuum, “the US is a force for good” throughout the world with US blood and money sprinkled throughout the globe. Often, the US Government is revered as the sole solution to resource our holistic needs; may I suggest the combination of private, public  partnerships as additional and viable solutions to satisfy our needs. LEADERSHIP is the impetus that makes these perspectives a reality.

1. One (1) Nation Under God

The USA is great for many reasons. One of those is the declaration, “one nation under God”. The greatest book ever written and distributed, the Bible, declares, “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord… – Psalm 33:12”. Any leader aspiring to the greatness of the USA will understand how this tenet is intertwined into the fabric of our great country.

2. U.S. Governance is Broken

Our Founding Fathers intended the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches to work respectfully within the realm of each’s authority in resolving the affairs of governance both domestically and internationally (per the US Constitution & Declaration of Independence). The recent conflicts in executing responsibilities illustrate a degradation of leadership. PROBLEM: Arguably, District courts seem overwhelmingly eager to exercise strategic judgement not given to them in contradiction with the Executive Branch. District Courts should not have overarching authority to determine policy and affect districts outside of their own.

3. U.S. National Debt is Untenable

The US continues to operate with an ever-increasing financial debt. In May 2025, the U.S. National debt is $37-Trillion. Leadership is required to not only recognize the Federal debt as an existential threat, but to seek its resolve. PROBLEM: GA US Senators were complicit with the Biden Administration’s poorly executed plans that increased inflation, thereby, increasing prices of goods and services in the US. Howbeit, congress in total is responsible for the current financial state. The US must take major steps to resolve the National debt problem.

  1. The failed American Rescue Plan Act (2021) ($2-Trillion) in response to COVID-19 – President Biden and the Democrats argued for these funds in spite of recently passing a $4-Trillion combined spending bill in response to COVID. PROBLEM: Only 9% of the bill went toward combating the virus. It was deemed wasteful spending. Both Ga US Senators supported this failed bill.
  2. The inflation Reduction Act (2022) – The name is definitely misleading. PROBLEM: The act provided massive social spending but did not decrease inflation. Both Georgia US Senators supported this bill.
  3. Student Loan Forgiveness – The Biden Administration sought to abuse US taxpayer dollars by forcing all Americans to pay off student debt in the billions of dollars for many students. The Supreme Court countered but the Biden Administration continued to seek ways to pursue this effort. PROBLEM: Neither of Georgia’s current US Senators challenged the Biden Administration’s efforts rain in this attempt to hold taxpayers responsible for paying students’ loans. I obtained student loans as a college student, but paid them in full. I expect all college students to repay their loans unless through specific government pre-approved merit programs (public or private organizations) repay the loans as a means of employment perks.

4. Georgia Military Bases (Defense)

Like military installations throughout the US, Georgia’s military bases are always subject to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) as coordinated through the US Senate. PROBLEM: Neither Ga US Senator has experience in serving or working with the military prior to becoming Senators. Leadership possessing the right skill sets can embolden Georgia military installations Dobbins Air Reserve Base (Marietta), Fort Benning (Columbus), Fort Gordon (Augusta), Fort Stewart (Hinesville) / Hunter Army Airfield (Savannah), Moody Air Force Base (Valdosta), Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (St Marys), Robins Air Force Base (Warner Robins) by coordinating to grow missions for each installation. Doing so requires an understanding of military force management. Neither GA US Senator have experience working with military organizations.

5. Care for Veterans

Only 1% of our nation serves in the armed forces. The gratefulness of our nation is observed through its care of those who serve and have given service to nation. As a result, Americans noting post care given to Veterans, may find “duty, honor, country” as a noted motivation to serve; otherwise, the U.S. could face the unwelcome position of conscription. PROBLEM: Neither GA US Senate has experience in serving or working with Veterans prior to becoming Senators. Georgia needs at least one Senator able to navigate through Veterans’ issues. I envision a future where Georgia, like most southern states, will excuse retired Veterans from paying taxes on their retirement pensions. Leadership that understands Veterans’ needs, and the system that governs their needs, will provide the best support to Veterans in Georgia.

6. Health of Georgians

Access to healthcare is important to all citizens. Leaders are consistently providing alternatives to enhance availability and access to healthcare. A critical question of leadership revolves around the ability to take risk in finding great solutions. May I offer a mixture of either regional or US-wide insurance providers serving across borders to encourage competition – as a starter. I am currently engaged in Home Health Care and find great respect for those who are conducting home health care for your elderly or disabled loved one.

7. Energy Independence

I standby and support the Trump’s Administration goal of Energy Independence. The US is blessed with an extraordinary amount of Natural Gas and Oil underground. Curious and inquiring minds would ask, “why are we not pursuing the resources God has provided us underground?” Acquiring and using all available resources until a form of energy becomes financially supportable, and performs the same or better outcomes as a tank of gas is my desire for Georgians. Meanwhile, I suggest no mandates of use for power other than availability as ingenuity and creativity can responsibly deliver.

8. Return to Normalcy

Leadership underscores the need for common civility, rule of law and freedoms declared by the US Constitution.

  1. Gender – God and Science both declare that only 2 genders exist (male and female). PROBLEM: Both GA US Senators voted against a bill to prevent biological males from competing in biological female sporting events.
  2. US borders – Any person entering the US without appropriate credentials or vetting is an illegal immigrant. PROBLEM: The Biden Administration totally obliterated and upended the previous Trump border security initiatives by allowing foreign Nationals to enter the US illegally, mainly through the southern border. In stunning verbal insistence, then Homeland Security Director, Alejandro Mayorkas consistently deceived Americans by stating the border was closed when cameras from viable news media would showcase the real story of illegal entry by more than 10,000,000 illegal immigrants. In addition, the Biden Administration would suspend the construction of the border wall while, allegedly, attempting to sell US acquired border wall materiel to prevent the possible restart of the border construction project should Donald Trump become President, again. Leadership does not support the unfairness embodied in such. When assigned in other countries, I noted the long lines at US embassies as persons desiring access to the US were mandated to complete appropriate forms and pay the correct dollar amounts for entry into the US. Those who entered the US border without adherence to current US immigration law(s), broke the law – they are illegal immigrants. This practice cannot be sustained and is erred. The US borders must remain closed and only appropriate access allowed through means defined in legal immigration processes. Neither GA US Senator advocated for a secured US border.
  3. Parental Involvement – Children cannot become wards of the state. Parents are solely responsible for every aspect of rearing their own children and must be involved in their health care, education and other fields of influence external to the home. When parents failed, remedies are available through local and state agencies. PROBLEM: Certain bureaucrats have fought to maintain illicit books in libraries for children, attempting to exclude parents from engaging in transgender decisions of their own children, and punishing parents for disagreeing with states’ initiatives regarding children.

9. U.S. National Security

The Biden administration displayed a consistent ineptness in building/applying a cogent National Security and National Military Strategy. In execution, the Department of Defense became a social experimentation resulting in decreased ability to recruit in preparation to fight our nations’ wars – and win! PROBLEM: Neither of Georgia’s current US Senators displayed and understanding or National Security, and were complicit in supporting the strategies of the Biden Administration.

  1. Afghanistan Withdrawal Debacle – The Biden Administration provided an order to depart Afghanistan without an appropriate Evacuation plan. As a result, 13 US military perished in a suicide bombing at Kable (August 2021). Many Afghan citizens who assisted US forces were left without appropriate coordination. Billions of dollars of equipment remained, as well. Once departed, Afghanistan slowly returned to its previous state. PROBLEM: Neither Georgia US Senator protested this course of action nor provided closure with Georgians.
  2. The ultimate goal of the US Military is to FIGHT and WIN! The U.S. military became a test bed of wokeness under the Biden Administration. The main effort to fight and win seemed mired in certain members desire to serve as transgenders while mandating US tax payers pay for their transition. Taxpayers were forced to pay for abortion of military members to include travel to obtain abortions. Leaders were seemingly selected and promoted based on criteria other than merit. Recruitment became an extraordinary challenge coupled with the Biden Administration forcing military personnel’s removal from service for not taking the questionable COVID vaccine. PROBLEM: Neither GA US Senator challenged the Biden Administration’s strategies in executing the Defense of our Nation.
  3. The Biden Administration failed to support our greatest and longstanding ally in the Middle East, Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu did not receive the open hand of a friend from the US. In spite of the unwarranted attack by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) on an Israeli party (October 7, 2023), in which 1200 primarily Israelis (accompanying foreign nationals) were killed and 240 were taken hostage in Gaza Strip. Even today, Jews in the US are facing existential dangers from universities and other crying the likes of, “from the river to the sea”, a diabolical rant that insists on Jews being wiped off the map from the Jordon River in to the Mediterranean Sea. PROBLEM: Neither GA US Senator provided systemic and relative data showing support of Israel. Neither downplayed the raucous claims from those supporting the “free Palestine movement”.

10. Freedom to live

The US is the most positive (nation state) force for good operating throughout the world. Having lived and traveled in more than 13 countries and several continents, I have witnessed the power of US influence. As a result, I can clearly declare, one will not find another country in the world that allows for freedoms to pursue one’s own happiness without overwhelming governmental overreach.

11. Private – Public – Partnerships (PPPs)

In order to improve life for all who wish, I contend that government must not be the only or sole solution. Great leaders seek valued alternatives to create private, public, partnerships throughout communities to resolve problems. Where problems exist, I would seek the help of churches, universities, hospitals, home building and enhancement stores, restaurants, and other profit and non-profit organizations as resources to repair local problems in Georgia.

12. Support For Israel

The most printed and read book (The Holy Bible) highlights my support for Israel. It states, “…and I will bless those who bless you (Israel), and the one who curses you, I will curse” (Genesis 12:3) and “…blessed is everyone who blesses you (Israel), and cursed is everyone who curses you” (Numbers 24:9). I support Israel.