The way I see it, our choices are between a candidate who is globally savvy and a candidate who is America-Centric. As a self-professed Air Force brat turned global citizen, I most identify with and support the views of our globally savvy candidate. I know from experience that globally reared “brats” of any kind are typically misunderstood and sometimes incomprehensible by our fellow citizens.

When I was in high school at Ramstein AFB, Germany, and even upon my return to work and live during the Summer between undergrad and graduate school as part of a German-American Business Exchange program, I recall conversations in which I expressed my view of America as being a spoiled, rich teenager, as in all kinds of power and money though lacking life experience. America is a powerful culture, yet one of the most isolationist in the world. Our general population is one of the least traveled, at least outside our borders, so “we, the people” as a collective have very little idea of what has gone and currently goes before us.  We are a truly independent civilization based on our heritage.  I will concede this may be a fundamental foundation for the valued and admirable creativity we bring the world.  As Winston Churchill described, “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing—after they’ve tried everything else.” Very telling of a need to go it alone, figure it out on our own, because “our parents don’t know crap.”

So, when are we going to grow up and realize that those who have gone before us, some long before us, might have some wisdom to share?  It doesn’t mean we have to become any other country, we will always be America – the free, the brave, the creative.  We might just get farther faster, though, if we were to tap into pearls of wisdom out there that could fit our needs and trajectory.  There is also something to be said for graduating to interdependence, which I see as a natural maturation of our independence in which we appreciate who we are enough to appreciate that we do not and cannot bring it all and need our fellow man.

We have such an opportunity to mature into a respected – not by demand of others but by command of ourselves – effective partner in the world. What say you to taking that bull by the horns?

Sincerely,

~ Jacqueline