The real America isn’t at war... it’s too busy working
IF YOU believe the news headlines coming from across the pond, one would come to the conclusion that America is at war with itself, committing some sort of societal suicide of self-harm and destruction. While yes, sadly that currently exists in some of America’s major cities, that does not paint a fair and complete picture of America as a whole in 2020.
Nor does it illuminate the reality of the rest of America – those who populate the nation coast to coast in places the elites and the media often consider undeserving of recognition or representation.
Quite often, the rest of America is not validated in their opinions or deemed worthy of having a voice.
And while America is a beautiful melting pot of ideas and backgrounds, experiences and hopes, some voices are silenced while others are amplified. The amplified ones, though more evident externally, are no more valid or supported internally by the citizenry.
And while mainstream outlets give credibility to those with the loudest megaphones, the media isn’t telling the reality – the story of the rest of America.
The rest of America is patriotic and hard working. They don’t care much about politics but care what politics does to their daily life.
The process of policy-making may not be of interest but they will mobilise en force when they know a policy decision is being made which will affect their business or their way of life.
The rest of America isn’t obsessed with headlines or tweets or polling data because they get up while it’s still dark and open their shop or tend to their livestock or pack their lunch for a day of work, which doesn’t include being glued to the TV in an air-conditioned office or having the luxury of monitoring social media all day long.
The rest of America showers at the end of their work day, not before it. They work hard.
And work long days. Often into the night. They count pennies and make sacrifices for their children and their futures. They welcome regulations being repealed and celebrate tax cuts – regardless of which party or person grants them.
They desire results. They want to feel heard. And helped. And valued.
The rest of America knows what’s best for themselves, their families and their communities, and prefer that Washington DC, legislates less and trusts them more.
The irony is that the rest of America doesn’t need the surrogate father of Washington DC to dictate their every move. The opposite is true – Washington needs the rest of America to bring balance, initiative and innovation to the marble floors of the Capitol.
DC WOULD benefit from listening more to those who wear muddy boots and grease-stained uniforms, the men and women who roll up their sleeves and don’t complain, they just work hard.
These are the people who don’t follow the news or make the news, they just make America who she is – a beautiful place of diversity, industry, creativity and enthusiastic optimism for the future.
Like most of the world, America was hit by coronavirus. We experienced sickness, hospitalisations and deaths, predominantly affecting our elderly and those who were already medically compromised.
We had shutdowns, shortages, layoffs, closures and unemployment. And, while we have been challenged, it wasn’t a fatal blow. Signs of recovery are all around – in some areas more than others. Places that promote self-reliance and responsibility have begun to flourish while those dependent on failed policies flounder, burn and struggle. The rest of America wants peaceful streets while protecting the freedom to protest.
They want the freedom to live where they choose, how they choose, and the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness in whatever way they choose, not how Washington DC does.
America is not defined by who legislates in Congress, sits in the Oval Office or presides over the Supreme Court.
The greatest truths reside and are cherished and defended in the hearts and minds of the rest of America, where people live, work and prosper despite government, not because of it.
Perhaps those ignored and deemed irrelevant by the mainstream media should instead be given credence and respect. They are the real difference makers and the true, untold story every day.
The rest of America may not be listened to right now but they will be heard again soon. The nation, and the world, are waiting to hear what the rest of America has to say.
US media gives credibility to those who are loudest, ignoring the rest