Mixed Signals

The world community has evolved over a very long time. As communication technology has morphed into instant messaging – all forms of technology – we are all closer than ever. It takes seconds to share a thought, feeling or revolutionary idea.

With technology has come both intended and mistaken communication. The ‘open mike’ issue has many instances in other forms of communication. A simple TV ad tells the world how Americans live, and how Americans think of people living elsewhere. Are those messages good, bad or otherwise?

The message America sends to the global community is fairly consistent. Ours is a democracy on full display. The good, bad and ugly have equal roles in forming what others think of us. Intended or not, we live with those impressions others have of us.

The question is, what impression do we hope to share with the world?

I doubt it is the self-absorbed persona of Trumpists. I doubt we wish to demonstrate our wish washy approach to international relations. How well we live, or don’t live, with contractual agreements is on full display. NATO membership or leadership? You decide what others think of our current role? Safety of international military balance around the globe? You decide how we appear. Sharing the good our economy produces? Well, that has limits, doesn’t it? And do we really have an image of effective sharing of food and healthcare? We certainly work hard at doing that and paying for it. But if the world sees our selfish nationalism, they will likely see all of our international work as manipulation and power seeking.

I doubt Americans really seek domination of the world stage. I don’t think we want ultimate power over anyone. We want to be left alone to live as we want, responsibly and humanly. We hope to help others less fortunate than ourselves, and share influence with other nations, seeking common solutions to common problems. Peace is the hoped-for outcome. Has been the hope for generations. It is so much nicer than war, and much less costly.

In recent years, however, we Americans have allowed our image to sink low. The very roots of democracy have been shaken. Our generosity of spirit has been demeaned. The idea of justice and fairness is now held in deep distrust.

We – you and I – are responsible for who we are, what we are, and what we intend within the global community. We do not live in isolation from other nations. We live and die as others have before us. We prosper or suffer according to the same forces of history. We need to attend to our own nation as though we care how it is perceived and how it actually is. Do not assume all is well. It is not.

The 2024 election is a critical point in history. Work to maintain America’s experiment in democracy is needed. It cannot and must not deteriorate or else we will lose it.

Step up, stand up and do whatever is necessary to preserve our democracy and form of government. It is not perfect, but it has accomplished a great deal in much less time than our international brother/sister nations.

Forget party politics. Vote the issues, all of them. Prepare now to understand them all and how they interact with the others. Now is no time to dither about details.

March 15, 2024

  

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