In her opening remarks in her recent speech before the UN General Assembly, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley said the world of nations needs “a reset and we need to reset.” These are very profound words, as the world seems increasingly to be going off its tracks and needing to be reset. Prime Minister Mottley’s words are also very relevant to the United States which is in desperate need of a reset as it faces an extremely important presidential election.
Of course, people who come from respective Caribbean countries to live in the USA are immigrants coming to enjoy and experience the so-called American Dream, not unlike the Biblical Israelites who left Egypt to live in the “Promised Land.”
The American Dream consists of a land of political tolerance, unlike some of the political tribal lands people were leaving. The dream also includes a land of racial harmony and equal opportunity where one can improve their educational standard, find rewarding career and job opportunities, affordable and comfortable housing, secure, violent-free communities, access to good and affordable healthcare, and financial security in retirement. And, probably most importantly. realistic hope for their children and grandchildren.
For Caribbean nationals who migrated to the US from the late ’60s, throughout the ’70s to the early 2000s, this Dream may have been realistic in most instances, but as the years progressed in the 21st century, the dream has been turning into a nightmare. Increasingly it seems America is losing its way, veering badly off its original tracks, and is badly in need of a reset and to be reset.
One of the primary causes of America’s seeming derailment is the absence of a leader, a president with the ability and strength to unite a woefully divided nation. America has become a nation of two ferocious, warring tribes, unlike the former nation of two prominent political parties which used acceptable democratic processes every four years for the right to govern the nation.
November 5, the date of the 2024 presidential election is rapidly approaching. As it approaches will be bombarded with flowery campaign rhetoric, advertisement, slogans, and the assorted bells and whistles traditionally used to persuade voters to vote for one presidential candidate over the other. Each candidate is being positioned to be able to improve the lives of American citizens if he or she is elected.
But, as a growing, aspiring community Caribbean Americans should apply utmost objectivity in making the decision about which presidential candidate they plan to vote for and not be merely influenced by the usual campaign hype and noise.
America is desperately in need of a reset, and voters must carefully assess which of the two candidates can best lead and accomplish such a reset.
Which candidate is best to appreciate and respect immigrant communities, and the contribution these communities are making to America’s development? Which candidate is best suitable to establish a pragmatic, just system to create a transition for undocumented immigrants to documented status, and which is able to secure the American borders from illegal immigrants who pose a threat to the domestic security of American communities?
Which candidate will be able to reset the American economy to ensure a sound foundation is maintained; improved and equal opportunities are open for employment in which workers can earn living wages; where prices of food, shelter, and childcare are closely monitored so they are affordable; and an economy in which citizens irrespective of class pay their fair share of taxes.
Which candidate seems best able to reset America’s healthcare system ensuring Americans, irrespective of class and race, have access to competent, affordable healthcare?
Which of the candidates shows the ability to improve safety and security in American communities, quell criminal activity and gun violence, and influence the implementation of sensible gun laws so American children can attend schools, and citizens can shop, worship, and seek to be entertained, free of the fear and risk of gun violence.
Which candidate can reset America’s leadership and respect in world affairs and be the mediator in world disputes assuring global conflicts are settled diplomatically, and military interventions averted?
Most importantly, which candidate is likely to have the ability to reset America to be the united country the founding fathers envisaged? Which leader can bridge the dangerous, yawning political and racial divide and motivate the US Congress and other chambers of national and local governments to work in a bipartisan manner for the general good?
The approaching presidential election is critically important. It offers a unique opportunity for voters to correct the very destructive path America has been taking. America badly needs to reset.
To reiterate, America needs strong leadership. America needs leadership with sound character, able to implement a national reset. Voters have awesome power to select the right leader. No voter should take this power lightly, but need to think very carefully before voting, to make sure they vote for this reset.
