For us Americans to reclaim our leadership role in the world, we need to root out the failings listed in yesterday’s blog post and form a more perfect union. But efforts to be more equal are regularly frustrated by those in the minority who benefit most from the inequity, namely, the Republicans. In December, 2020, Gallup polling found that 31 percent of Americans identified as Democrats, 25 percent identified as Republicans, and 41 percent as Independents—with most Independents leaning toward the Democratic side. The Republicans, greatly outnumbered by the Democrats, know they can only win elections only if fewer Americans vote. So they work hard to make voting more difficult, especially for racial minorities. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, in 2021, at least 19 states passed 34 laws restricting access to voting. More than 440 bills with provisions that restrict voting access were introduced in 49 states. Legislators introduced bills to allow partisan actors to interfere with election processes or even reject election results entirely. And the worst part is that the instigators are targeting Black and Brown communities.
The situation grew far worse during the presidency of Donald Trump who sullied our reputation with other nations and worked to reduce equity and strengthen the power of the rich minority. Trump’s actions substantially weakened the reputation of the U.S. around the world. Biden’s first year in office has turned the tide, but much work remains to be done to restore us to a leadership role.
As a result of our failure to maintain political and financial equality among our citizens, the rest of the world looks up to us less each year. I am persuaded that we American citizens must work together to achieve a more perfect union, reduce inequities, and reestablish our world leadership.
Tom Glenn, Writer 