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What are the 3 Most Urgent Issues Facing Americans?
August 1, 2014
As I am writing this short piece, a Malaysian airliner was downed by a missile strike, and Israel launched a ground invasion of Gaza. These two news stories seem unrelated, but they actually illustrate the changing global paradigm. The United States is struggling to deal with a recalcitrant Russia, violent Hamas, and rising China. President’s Obama’s strategy of leading from behind has emboldened our enemies and discouraged our allies.
Assad continues to terrorize the Syrian people, and the situation in Iraq is disintegrating less than three years since the US turned over control to the Iraqi government. Russia has essentially annexed Crimea and has proposed to reopen a Soviet Era spy post in Cuba as it continues to expand its influence in Latin America.
China continues to grow as a hegemonic power in Asia and has recently increased military spending suggesting an interest in becoming more of a global player. The United States needs to define its role internationally or face the consequences of inaction and nuance.
On the home front, the United States economy continues to be anemic. Nineteen million Americans are unemployed, underemployed, or have given up looking for work. The number of Americans in the labor force is at a low not seen since the Carter administration. Americans seem to agree that the economy is not heading in the right direction.
According to Gallup, 57 percent of Americans say the economy is getting worse. In addition, to high unemployment and general dissatisfaction with the economy, the rising national debt (now at $17 trillion) is an albatross around our necks. In order for the United States, to continue to be a major global player we must reinvigorate our economy and get our fiscal house in order.
On a personal level, it is disheartening to observe how misinformed the average millennial voter actually is. We are probably the best connected and technologically advanced generation in history, but we have a very limited understanding of the workings of government.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill said, “The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.” Democracy works best when citizens are informed and are civically engaged. Regardless if you vote Republican, Democrat, or Independent, we must be informed and be part of the process.
The unfortunate truth is America will continue to face these issues well beyond 2014. The political, economic, and social significance of not addressing these problems will jeopardize the interests of not only the United States, but our allies around the world, because as goes America goes the world.
