It must be obvious from this blog that we travel out of the United States at least once every year. Wherever we go, we experience people who know as much about our country as most Americans know. Time and time again, we meet people who want to talk about our government. I will admit that I almost never know much about their politics although I watch local English newscasts in foreign lands. I may know the head of their government but little more.
Especially the Canadians and Central Europeans know all about us. It may be that our nation effects theirs so much.
We have been overseas in election years and people want to know who we are voting for and why. When George W. Bush was President (and Richard Cheney was Vice President) we were called upon to defend them and their actions. Needless to say, we could not. It was clear that many people did not like them or, because of them, our nation. We have never felt this about President Obama. Nearly everyone we meet seems to admire him and appreciate his term. They may not agree with him, but they seem to like him. This was very clear in the last election.
I suppose that a few people think that what other nations think about us doesn't matter. Those are the same folks that give us the "Ugly American" reputation. It does matter. This world is very small and getting smaller through better communication and transportation. We may wish to believe that isolationism will work, but it will not.
When we get back from our four nation trip this fall. I will report on how Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Trump are perceived. I think it is important.
No comments:
Post a Comment