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Some Empire…
Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal ran a feature piece called "Americans Are Leaving the US
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We have the best empire ever, but we are so used to the freedoms we enjoy, that we take them for granted. Coming home from overseas business trips was always my favorite part of that trip.
I think that’s valid for most people, regardless where they live.
I’ve updated that to “If you don’t like it here, grow a beard and move to Iran!”
I vividly recall those bumper stickers in the late 60s when they were aimed at anti-war protesters. They replaced the always popular “Get US out of the UN”
As you noted, these sentiments are not new. Hell, do a little reading about George Wallace.
Maybe the best way to navigate not only what is going on in the USA, but also in Europe and throughout the world is to adopt the mindset of a rambler. That way, one can enjoy so many beautiful and amazing places and if “things” stop being agreeable in one location; simply move on.
Your lead reminds me of a family living in southwest VA that cut “Pence” out of a Trump-Pence campaign flag in Jan 7. Then raised it up and let it fly for years. If you don’t love it, leave it. Thx for building a high level piece on that opening.
W called the peak with the Iraqi adventure post 9-11.
Yep. I mention that in the new Monthly, which is nearly done.
During Revolutionary War times some 20-30% of the colonist-americas were Loyalists (to the Crown) while somewhere near that percent were Patriots (revolutionaries), the remainder being on the fence or too busy with life to worry about such things. Apparently there was both a rhetorical (Fox news vs CNN perhaps) and sometimes physical battle between the two extremes. Eventually a third or so of the Loyalists left our new country and headed mostly to Canada or Britain.
It is just hard to reconcile differences. Half the marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. And even inside my own head, if I weren’t permanently attached to my self I would have up and left a long time ago.
The USA is great for many reasons and I am happy that I am an American and grew up in the golden age of Pax Americana. However, there are now many other places I prefer to live due to various reasons such as quality of life, safety and affordable healthcare. America is now a great place to visit for me but I wouldn’t want to live there.
Yes it is happening indeed, and although it certainly started prior to 2016 the deterioration of Empire and the increasing exodus of American citizens to other lands has certainly accelerated post Trump, so it is fair to categorize it as a “Trumpexit.” I write this comment from a Pescheria in Napoli while sipping wine, I now live in Italy part time, likely to be full time when Trump enters his third term. I could list many reasons for leaving the US and while Europe certainly has its issues, suffice it to say everything here is cheaper and the food is superior. Add to that Trump and well, the balance tips towards leaving for me, but I do understand it is not an option (or the best decision) for everyone.
IMHO the Supreme Court 5-4 commandeering of the 2000 Presidential Election has been the turning point of the American Empire…
…though I’ve wondered since if Ford’s pardoning of Nixon was the exact moment when the Empire turned…
That, 9/11, two ill-advised wars, the housing collapse, and then the GFC. Could Al Gore have saved us? Perhaps, but the real lesson there was that being leader of the free-world is a damned serious job, and it should never — under any circumstances — be handed-over to a fool. (Sound familiar?) And recall, George “W.” actually won his second term: that one is on us (as it always is!)