Tag: Freedom

  • The Heartbreak of America’s Leadership Decline

    The Heartbreak of America’s Leadership Decline

    I have delayed writing this particular blog for almost a week. Why? I am writing with a broken heart.

    Of course I am writing about the Fiasco on Pennsylvania Avenue.

    The president and the vice-president of the United States shocked the entire world. They dropped their pants and mooned everyone.

    Their invited guest, the elected President of Ukraine, was attacked, belittled, chastised, and bullied. This was part of a plan to give Trump a closer relationship with Russia. It aimed to line his own pockets with Ukrainian minerals.

    Trump’s plan was to reflect strength. He wanted to present power and to show off his negotiation skills. His goal was to prove to the world that he and he alone held the keys to a peaceful Universe.

    Trump had tried to bully Denmark and Greenland. They laughed in his face.
    Trump had tried to bully Canada. Canada continues to laugh in his face.
    Trump had tried to bully Mexico. Mexico laughed in his face.
    Trump had tried to bully Panama. Panama laughed in his face.

    He realized he was running out of countries to bully. So, he went after a desperate people in the throes of a 3-year invasion. What happened? The entire free world laughed in his face. Russia celebrated the dismemberment of the United States as a world power. Americans, true Americans were left heart broken.

    For 45 minutes the Oval Office became a squared circle. An event transpired that need the voice of Michael Buffer and the marketing prowess of Vince McMahon.  Trump and Vance took turns degrading President Zelinski. Like a practiced tag team. They took turns insulting and degrading President Zelinski. It was a relentless attack. Yet nothing actually hit. Nothing hurt. President Zelinski took blow after blow. He countered snark with facts, he ducked lies and responded with facts. The more they missed, the madder and madder Trump and Vance attacked.

    At the end of the day, Trump and Vance were bloodied. The American place as a work leader damaged. Ukraine and their President were stronger. The EU instantly rallied to Ukraine’s aide, providing them the protections the United States had sworn to provide.

    The only winner from this unwarranted scuffle on the Trump / Vance side of the ring was their boss. No not Elon Musk. Russian Evil Doer Valdy Putin.

    Russian news and the those in the Kremlin were celebrating. They knew what they witnessed was the end of a united United States. a weakened United States is no longer a foe. They know that having Trump as a friend gives them the presents they need to take Ukraine. They can take parts of other EU countries. They can also do whatever they want.

    China, without even having a dog in this fight walked away as winners. They know now that anytime they want it, Taiwan is theirs for the taking.

    When the United States aligns more closely with the Axis of Evil, the black hat fits better than the white. In this scenario, the American people are the biggest losers.

    We can look at the Musk transitionary dismantling of the United States with fear and anger. Yet it breaks hearts to see the United States dismantled as the beacon of freedom. Its decline as a symbol of democracy is truly heartbreaking.

  • What Does America Stand For Today?

    What Does America Stand For Today?

    The concern should not be party. The concern should be America. What does America stand for? Does the countries’ world standing matter? Does the Constitution hold water? Is the rule of law still something, albeit not perfect, that America wants upheld? Do we want to be a country that our allies can count on and our enemies guard against? Do the American people want to hold dear the values, morals, common sense thinking that enabled 13 Colonies to become the greatest country in the world? Does America want to remain a free and democratic society?

    Do the American people want their speech to be free? Do they want their representative to be honest? Do they want discourse engaged with intelligent and respectful disagreement?

    Can the American people accept that the monied rule the roost? Can they accept that businesses are more important than people? Is greed valued more than the health and welfare for all?

    Is the population willing to accept that the best of us are no longer interested in leading? Those willing to run are not always the most fit to lead. They are certainly not the most qualified.

    These questions are not to be answered by parties, but by people.

    At night, lights out, kids in bed, spouses in the shower, the dog in its house. If each one of us answered those questions honestly, most of America would share the same understanding. We need to vow to work toward change.

    It is not the Democrats responsibility to fix the Republican party. It is not the responsibility of the Republicans to bail out the Democrats. It is not the responsibility of the Independents to get off their fence and make real choices.

    It is up to all of us, regardless of race, color, or religion, to look inside. We need to explore what we want for our friends, family, and loved ones. We must also consider how we want the next 100 years to look.

    Then with heads clear and hearts aligned, we work towards the America that the vast majority of us want. We strive to be treated with respect. No opinion should matter more than any other. We aim to build a home, a family, and a community where each person is free. Each person can work to be their best. They aren’t swayed by those who think or feel differently.

    The reality is, being an American is a pretty easy job. Wake up each day. Live your own life. Treat others as you want to be treated. Work well. Love with lasting intent. Do the little things that make America America.