The Story of AIMI

THE STORY OF AIMI

My name is John Abood. Growing up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. was a wonderful experience. Such a cosmopolitan environment. Attending Georgetown University is one of the best experiences of my life. Besides a great education, that’s where I met my wonderful wife. The school taught me to be a lifelong learner and to build our community by helping others.

Once graduated, I applied the education my parents provided (knowledge and character) during my first career. Working with the U.S. Department of State (USAID), I had the opportunity to apply my education and provide foreign assistance and sustainable development to other peoples – in the interest of the United States. There are some wonderful people at USAID who work hard to sustain and provide stability to people around the world. Each day they apply their character and knowledge to implement foreign assistance programs in the name of the people of the United States.

About 14 years ago (2002) I began contemplating what I would do during the last 10 to 15 years of my career in the U.S. government. (And, what I would do when I left government service.) My choices were to, 1) apply my skills toward improving government by joining the Senior Executive Service or 2) apply my strengths to develop my own business. Should I apply my sense of community service toward improving the U.S. government, or should I build a business that would more directly help the people of my community? I decided to devote my extra time and effort toward developing a business.

The only trouble was, I didn’t know what type of products or services I wanted to provide. I had always thought about the meaning of life and how to help others – Thanks Georgetown! I knew I wanted to engage with individuals in a manner that would boost their dignity (as USAID had afforded me an opportunity). But, what business venture would be of great service to others? I considered the cornucopia of services and ideals the people of the United States provide as foreign development programs. What do we, as a nation, offer to bring stability and dignity to others around the world? We offer many programs which support improved governance and offer to remove corruption. What product or service could I offer which would help sustain individuals in my U.S. community? What business might actually make the citizens of America stronger?

Because I always enjoy reading political history and philosophy, one of my favorite television shows is, “The West Wing.” In the episode entitled, “Twenty Hours In America,” the character Josh meets a man in an Indiana bar. This “everyman” discusses the work, personal responsibility and self-sacrifice involved in raising his family and sending his oldest daughter to college. He relishes his responsibilities and the sacrifices he makes for his family. After pointing out that life is difficult (and he’s okay with that), he opines, “But, it should be a little easier… [He holds his thumb and his first finger close together] …just a little easier…’cause in that difference is…everything.”

Contemplating what the show’s writers, and so many other authors across the ages (the ancients), offer us about life, character and our individual responsibility for ourselves and our families, the idea of AIMI began to congeal in my mind. The lives of “individuals of character” should be a little easier! Combine that idea with an interest in giving more political influence to moderate individuals…and you have An Independent Moderate Individual, Inc.

AIMI will combine our organizational and product efforts to, 1) provide moderates with more political influence and 2) provide basic life services to individuals of character, and try to make their lives a little easier. The access to pragmatic life services may encourage moderates to take a close look at our creative and balanced political philosophy.

So, I’m creating a business model and method that will accomplish both — Help moderate individuals of character and improve our public sector politics.

Is our AIMI business plan and strategy too disruptive or radical? I think not. We are going to work within our republican Constitutions and our Bill of Rights. Is it daunting to contemplate what is involved? I’d be foolish, and suffer from considerable hubris, if I did not appreciate my vulnerability when putting myself in the public sphere.

I believe George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison are correct in their assessments regarding individual liberty, factions and our republics. Let’s see if, together, we can improve our liberty and our country.