This is a love letter.
America,
I have been watching you from afar for decades. I’ve been at times almost entranced by your beauty and promise: your Pledge of Allegiance, your Declaration of Independence, your "American Dream." The Statue of Liberty, the moon landing and your iconic heroes that not only shaped your history... but that of the entire world.
America, your innovation and opportunity seemed to know no bounds and I could only wish that my own country would embrace the same spirit of creativity, enthusiasm, bravery and boldness that the USA dared to reach for.
But now, on November 4, 2008, I worry for you.
I see your financial system crumbling. I see criminals in leadership roles escaping prosecution. As I look on, I watch your freedom of speech evaporating, regular citizens being detained without charges, ever expanding police powers, and people dying or losing everything due to medical treatments that they can’t afford. All of this and more makes me worry that the country that built itself on a foundation that rejected tyranny has let it sneak in the back door.
On September 11, 2001 I watched in horror as the planes flew into the towers. I felt physically ill and terrified. My heart ached for your people in a way I’ve never felt before. Soon enough, the news showed me that the ache I felt was shared by people in all countries of the world. The goodwill that flowed in the immediate aftermath of that most devastating tragedy was so strong that I was moved to tears while watching millions of demonstrators from Canada to Lebanon to Australia and everywhere in between holding up candles and messages of hope for you. I feel something similar now.
The emotions generated by this election, America, are palpable beyond your borders. The world watches anxiously to see which direction you will go. If we ignore the bombastic media it is obvious that voters across the political spectrum are feeling an optimism that hasn’t been felt in many years. And for your sake, because I hold you so close to my heart, I wish for that optimism to be rewarded. Maybe it will be.
Maybe in a new government the elected representatives will remember that they are there to do the will of their constituents. Perhaps, after the election, people who work hard all day everyday will have the money they need for medicine, food, shelter, and even a little more. Maybe under a new government journalists can get back to investigating stories that matter and maybe they won’t be arrested or harassed for doing their jobs. Perhaps, after you have a new leader, your education system will start producing top students again instead of students that are ranked near the bottom in math and science on international tests. Perhaps lobbyists won’t call the shots by waving money at members of the senate and broken voting machines won’t leave you questioning who really won the most votes. Maybe with a new administration people will have their honest questions about Katrina, about September 11th, and about the financial crisis answered. Maybe the new leadership will think harder and more soberly about sending Americans off to kill in foreign lands, and to die there. Maybe the new government will relinquish some of the dictatorial powers the last government siezed for itself, privileges that are hostile to civil and human rights and to the Constitution.
I hope all of this comes true.
But it might not.
And if it does not, America, if the new guy treats you badly, remember who you are. If you continue to be ignored, impoverished, spied on, stolen from and lied to I implore you to look back in your own history to the rights you built your country to preserve and the heroes who fought to preserve them.
Each one of you has the power to stand up, to demand better. Have you forgotten that? Do you know that you have leaders among you? That you, yourself are capable of great things? Best of all, you have the numbers. There are so many of you that if you were to speak with one voice I know that change isn’t only possible, it’s guaranteed! As soon as you let go of the meaningless political divisions that tear you apart you will see clearly that all of you want the same thing: To experience joy, to have a full stomach and a warm bed, to feel love, to live a peaceful life, to pursue your dreams, to engage in meaningful work, to enjoy a healthy body and mind, and to have friends & family that support each other. Across the world, this is what we all want. Across the world, we are pulling for you.
If this election does not deliver the promises it is making, take it as proof positive that change can’t come from on high. If, after the votes are counted, neither audacious hope nor maverick outsiders deliver the revolutionary change that they promised I hope that you will finally turn away from this politics of division forever and turn towards one another.
It is the only way. Unite with each other and reject the promises from the left and from the right. Govern yourselves the way the founding fathers wanted you to. Take back your liberty.. show the world you are worth all the adoration I feel.
Yours truly.