Summary

The text reflects on the state of America, critiquing the nation's political choices and societal values, suggesting a shift towards economic and moral consciousness.

Abstract

The author shares a reflective journey on a flight from Mexico to San Francisco, using the experience to draw parallels with America's current socio-political climate. The narrative highlights the divisive rhetoric prevalent in society, exemplified by a fellow passenger's nostalgic yearning for a time when "men were real men" and the author's contemplation on the nation's self-perception. The essay criticizes the glorification of a macho, gun-toting American archetype and contrasts it with the reality of a diverse and complex society. It also touches on the fear and vulnerability experienced during turbulence, likening it to the nation's uncertainty under questionable leadership. The author likens former President Trump to a magician who tricks the public with illusions of power and control, while the true essence of leadership is rooted in collaboration, expertise, and the ability to navigate challenges. The text calls for a collective reevaluation of values, emphasizing the importance of wisdom, science, and shared prosperity over wealth accumulation and power games. It concludes with a plea for unity and better decision-making to avoid the destructive consequences of economic and ideological wars.

Opinions

The author expresses concern over the divisive and derogatory language used in American political discourse, particularly the stereotype of "real men" and its implications for leadership.
There is a critique of the American self-image, which the author feels is overly simplistic and outdated, focusing on strength and invincibility while ignoring complexity and diversity.
The author uses the metaphor of a magician, specifically referencing former President Trump, to illustrate the deceptive nature of some political figures who manipulate public perception to gain power.
The text suggests that true leadership is about collaboration, expertise, and the ability to handle crises effectively, rather than projecting an image of toughness.
The author argues that the accumulation of wealth and power has led to a nation that is "lost," lacking appreciation for wisdom, science, and technology, and instead, fostering dissatisfaction and anger.
The essay posits that economic factors drive wars and that a focus on conscience and morality is often absent from decisions related to conflict.
The author advocates for a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources, emphasizing that money only has value when it is shared and benefits society as a whole.
The text concludes with a hopeful yet cautionary tone, urging Americans to make better choices and come together to avoid the catastrophic outcomes of polarization and economic disparity.

America, Money, and Madness.

War is an economic decision; voting is believing in magicians.

Photo by Natilyn Hicks (Aubrey Hicks Photography) on Unsplash

On the flight home from Mexico, I had three hours and four extra inches to recline my seat. Of course, everything is relative, a four-inch recline, and a footrest make a big difference to the enjoyment of a flight, but extra space doesn’t lessen the effect of verbal turbulence.

Is this what is happening, America? Are we going through catastrophic verbal turbulence? Are we trying to survive an unseen force that wants to pull us down, smash us, so all that is left is someone’s spit?

The couple sat behind on this flight, were heading back to Texas where their journey ended, and I caught a connecting flight to San Francisco. The man’s accent told me he is a Texan, a little loud, intent on discussing with his traveling companion thoughts about a TV program, 1883, with which I’m not familiar.

“Yes, sir, that was a time when men were real men…” he said.

I’ve heard this cliché many times. Of course, it means nothing, but then the following words that came out of his mouth were, “… that’s what’s wrong with the damn country today. We’ve put a bunch of pussies in the White House.”

Okay, this is not a rant about Texans or Texas; it is about the way we, as a nation, perceive ourselves. If I had to presume how this man wanted his country to be seen worldwide, it would be something related to words like these: strong, invincible, gun carrying, gum chewing, football proud, and…well, that’s about it. But, of course, this is a presumption, and we know where that can lead. But for now, humor me.

Later in the flight, on the approach into Houston, cool air was meeting with warm. Such conditions are not conducive to smooth flight. But look, being afraid, alarmed, or mildly disturbed by turbulence is a natural feeling. Many of us are indeed fearful at such times. We are not in charge of our destiny. It is difficult; the airplane is battered, the sudden drops cause gasps, and even a prayer between pursed lips. We are suddenly confronting our mortality.

The Texan hadn’t stopped talking for the entire flight, until that first bump, then a second, and then quiet. I watched through the gap in the seats as the couple in front held each other’s hands. Love meets fear head-on.

I think to myself, is this the time to turn and tell the Texan that our pilot is a vegetarian, gay, or won’t drive above 40 mph on the highway. Or what if the pilot happens to be Texan? Will he be happy to go down with guns blazing?

Or is it a man called on to act on his training, experience, willingness to accept the help of their co-pilot? Together land the plane under control with deft touches of aileron, a little more right rudder, a couple of degrees of sideslip, and be exact about making the decision to land or go around? You know what I mean, be a man’s man.

Having landed in San Francisco, I rented a car. Get behind a driving wheel, and everything becomes some sort of crazy. It’s not a gender thing anymore if it ever was. I forget how many middle fingers I’ve been given by teenage female drivers. Perhaps they are giving back a little of what they’ve received. On the highway, there were the usual crazies. Weaving in and out, sitting so close if I farted, they would smell it. And I’ve heard people ask why real estate is so expensive in California because it seems everyone else on the highway wants those twenty-some feet in front of you.

I was only going as far as Sausalito, checking on the boat, sleeping on it until the morning and then heading back to SFO for the London flight, leaving around 11:00 a.m.

Having parked the car, I took a walk along the front and came across a magician. A child magician, one where we as adults know all the tricks. This particular magician wasn’t perfect; in fact, he was terrible. But the children gathered around him were amazed. As I walked away, I realized I’d just watched ex-president Trump doing his magic thing. An evil magician: one quickly being caught onto.

You know what I mean, right? The kind of magician who will show you a small bird in his hand, one that is chirping, then close his hand gently and ask if the bird is dead or alive. We heard the bird; alive! Of course, the magician Trump cannot lose. He squeezes his hand on the bird crushing it to death. Now we believe Trump has magical powers. But only if you’re not in on the act.

You see, some people do nothing for this country. One can be happy, generous, compassionate, fair, trustworthy, work hard, raise a family, and the government will be more prosperous for you living in it. But that’s not a person America will get behind.

To my horror and disbelief, America got behind a magician who fooled the people. These people believed in his cunning and ability to lead because he showed you that he was such a man. That trick. His enjoyment in life is winning over others. He is a connoisseur of fine fast food, soft drinks, a glutton for the attention of women, never depriving himself of extra-marital relationships. A man who never thought of suffering throughout his life, not his, and not anyone else’s.

He believes the world is here for his own delectation. Living high up, radiant inside his structures of deceit, loving himself a little too much. The only thing the man has kissed with any passion is his own ass. There are no rules in his word, no trust, no laws by which he feels obliged to abide. No game is played other than the way he wants it played. He has never seen himself as a half-wit, only a saint, never as a sinner, just another guy in the changing room. People close to him act like puppies. If Trump sticks his leg out, those same people must hump it. He believes wars should be fought, not by him.

This magician was found out not to be a magician at all. A lifelong con artist who fooled too many Americans too late to save America.

I’m no moralist, no hero, saint, or martyr. But, bloody hell, I’ll be happy to get another ten years before I’m blown away in ashes. Can’t we begin by making better choices? Is there a way we can come together without the politicians dividing us? The dilemma we find ourselves in today is that no matter how much money we have, how much power, how much influence we can exert, we are a nation lost.

We do not appreciate wisdom, science, good technology, prayer. So we live on tenterhooks, dissatisfied, confused, angry, in a country where wealth is overthought instead of bringing health, knowledge, happiness, and pride in our own satisfaction.

The country with great wealth will live with that wealth its conscience, how to build it, increase it. The land that lives with poverty is wondering how to get it and what could be done. And so here we are, my friends, every war is a matter of economics. Therefore, choosing to act out of conscience and morality is not a choice.

To suppose a time will come when there is worldwide economic peace is the delusion of idealists. Unfortunately, I am such a person.

That’s the America I want to live in. Why has it become so impossible? Polarity is established. If not leading to a world war, then a Cold War will be far more serious and destructive than before. Money has velocity only when it is shared.