Today's MOZEN: Me First!

F LoBuono

AMERICA FIRST.

On the surface, it's a solid campaign slogan. Strong. Bold. 'Merican. After all, don't we want what's best for ourselves, our families, and our Country? It is certainly understandable.

It is also terribly flawed.

This "in your face" attitude will certainly appeal to many. They make no excuses. It is their vision of the American Way. And, it's been with us since the inception of this Nation - think Monroe Doctrine - it is our right and DUTY to take whatever is in our best interest. This philosophy has involved us in countless conflicts in nameless countries around the world for centuries. And, THIS is why it will never work.

At it's very core, it lacks another, even more powerful (hopefully) American ideal - COMPASSION. And, it is compassion that wins us lasting friends on both a personal and political level. If you had a friend who was brilliant and powerful, but only acted in their own best interest, I believe that they wouldn't be your friend for very long. I can certainly speak for myself and say, I do not associate with such people for long.

So, why should it be any different with Nations?

Nations who bully never win in the end. Never. History has shown us that those who act solely in their own interests are destined to collapse - think Persia, Rome, the Ottomans, Mongols, etc. Yes, they had glory. But, ultimately, they met their ends violently.

Why, then, would so many resist the inevitable? When we do, when we isolate and put ourselves above the good of others, we may win in the short term. However, the future holds far less promise.  An attitude like that simply creates bitterness that spawns an endless cycle of strife - between people and Nations. The carrot ultimately gets us much further than the stick.

And, it has nothing to do with so-called patriotism. REAL patriots want what's best for their country. And, that means keeping an open mind and heart. This should NOT be seen as weakness! Quite to the contrary; if we have no fear and embrace the diversity that comes with openness, we strengthen ourselves. Borders create isolation. Isolation fosters ignorance. Ignorance breeds fear. Fear leads to violence.

So it is today. The Internet, high- speed air travel, and super highways have connected people like never before. And, I believe, this has frightened many. Alvin Toffler, in his seminal book, Future Shock, predicted that this would happen - technology would develop faster than our ability to absorb it, causing a certain malaise. So, people pull inward and create their own boundaries. And, these limits have found voice in President Trump.

The President, who champions AMERICA FIRST, was recently reported to have said during a meeting on immigration, "why are we having all these people from shithole countries coming here". He was referring to certain African and Central American countries, as well as Haiti, i.e. black or brown nations. This is the kind of narrow-minded bigotry that comes from the attitude fostered by ME FIRST - ME ONLY! Furthermore, it does not make us GREAT. In fact, it potentially makes us weaker because, instead of being a beacon of freedom and opportunity, we are seen as a selfish oppressor. This has NEVER gotten us anywhere. And, it never will.

RESIST BIGOTRY. SAY NO TO HATE.