It has been clear for some time that the crumbling economic trajectory of middle income Americans, uncontrolled floods of illegal and legal immigration, and the devastating effects of trans-national, one-sided trade deals that have ransacked Middle America, were going to be the driving forces for the 2016 elections.
Many commentators, including myself, have written extensively on this convergence of events and the political fallout we have witnessed for decades now (most recently here).
Regardless of what you think of them politically, Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, each in their own way, are the reactions to this upheaval, not the cause.
The nub of this election, at least subliminally, is this:
What will America look like a generation from now? Do we want it to look like the old world order that we have avoided becoming part of for the last three centuries?
Or do we choose the America that has marked the assent of human dignity and individual freedom in the new world through ordered, constitutional government?
That’s the question everyone seems to be dancing around in an attempt to present themselves as finessed and less dangerous to the boiling mad electorate. But cloistered Washington should make no mistake, the middle of productive America is mad, getting madder, and all with good reason. The only surprise is that it has taken so long.
Long time Washington observer and analyst, Richard Falknor of the Blue Ridge Forum, sums this angst up succinctly:
It is the titanic struggle of perspective – globalism vs nationalism – and many conservatives have become confused and lost about what conservatism even means.
Which brings me to a public confession. If I ever was one, I hereby resign my position as an internationalist – a globalist. I’m a constitutional conservative; an old Reaganite. I’m an honest to goodness free trader and a “real†capitalist. I believe American foreign policy must first and foremost be in our self-interest. Especially when it comes to using force.
Yes, I admit it, I’m an American nationalist.
I am politically, economically and emotionally interested in what’s best for this country first – believing that in serving American self-interest, we actually help other nations and the world the most. We add, not subtract from the whole.
Even more urgently, this self-interested nationalism has historically allowed the United States to become the primary transmission belt of the Judeo-Christian ethos that has saved the world from totalitarian darkness, prospering humanity intellectually and economically; and writing as a Christian, supplied the wealth and energy that has promoted and distributed the Gospel message of individual salvation and hope.
All of those concepts are at war with galloping growth of “crony capitalism,†“managed economies,†and the group dementia that has taken root in the ruling class that has dominated big, trans-national businesses, politicians and religious leaders in the United States for several decades.
Call it internationalism or globalism, there is no greater threat to the American way of life.
I’m glad this discussion is happening, even if it is a buried underneath the mess of this election cycle. It is time for a focused debate about America – and whether she can even exist within an international system swiftly being erected (especially as presented in the new Trans Pacific Partnership, as one example); one that promotes in a larger sense everything that is antithetical to the American experiment in human freedom. Religious freedom. Freedom of thought, and speech. Economic freedom. Self-determination.
This isn’t an argument about isolationism; it’s not jingoistic; nor is it chauvinistic.
It’s an argument about whether we will define or redefine ourselves and our God-given freedoms; whether we will preserve or dismantle the last, best hope of mankind.
5 comments
Didn’t Dena Espensheid { of Trump Camp } write about these sorry trade deals here on the Bull Elephant?
Hi all, this is my first comment, and am I glad that it is on this article. Thank you Mr. Giere for reporting on American Nationalism.
After all these years, Pat Buchanan’s main thrust has come to the fore.
Now the phrase has entered into the American political conversation. Because of alternative news, and Donald Trump, the mainstream media, including the frauds at Fox, will have to start reporting on it. Of course the reporting will all be negative; all the networks support the globalist Hillary, and Fox support the globalist Rubio.
Speaking of anti American globalism, the disgraceful Trans Pacific Partnership which is being censored by the media, hasn’t gotten “real” air time; unless you listen to Laura Ingraham. She speaks eloquently, and with force on the danger the TPP is to normal Americans.
Again, bravo Mr. Giere.
Mr.Giere,
Thank you for writing this piece.
United We Stand
Good play, Michael. That was a long gain and you moved our team into field goal range. But to score a TD you have to provide the names of this International Globalist Oligarchy that is dead set on running up the debt, silencing and disarming conservative Americans, and importing tens of millions of woefully educated, easily manipulated, and ultimately compliant workers.
Right on, Michael! The small booklet, “Grit to Win”, written by the founder of Grassfire.com, Steve Elliott, also makes the great case that of the characteristics for success in any endeavor, character development, based on the Judeao-Christian ethos, is the most critical and provides a great manual for nurturing that characteristics in our U.S. youth.