By John Johnson
America has always been concerned about its image both at home and abroad. But why has this always been so important? Astonishingly, America’s image is important because it’s supposed to galvanize the support and respect of its people towards its government.
Further, it demonstrates throughout the world the strength of its democracy, illuminates the integrity of its public elections, and reinforces its adherence to the rule of law.
If all the above is true, the following questions must be raised: 1) why was the previous president allowed to decimate the Nation’s image both at home and abroad? 2) why did the Republican party and its base of supporters revel in America’s first rhetoric? and 3) why has the Republican party continued to kowtow to a twice impeached former president who yet peddles false claims about having lost because of a fraudulent election?
It must be noted that should any Republican attempt to offer a rational answer to any of these questions would demonstrate that they represent a clear and present danger to our democracy. Strange as it may seem, the dangers are happening daily in state governments throughout America. Voters’ rights are continuously being threaten and CDC guidelines are being negated by conservative governors. Sadly, these unprecedented changes are being drown out by news coverage of mass killings throughout the Nation.
Yes, while news headlines in Colorado have chronicled mass murders at a birthday party and Chicago reported 24 shootings and five murders in one weekend, state controlled Republican legislators are relentlessly passing voter suppression legislation to literally strangle voters’ right to vote. Voters will again have to organize and protest against their disenfranchisement.
Let’s speed forward and examine another unfolding hypocritical image of America’s fragile democracy being exposed by the Republican party at home and abroad. Senator, Liz Cheney is literally standing on the gallows of censorship awaiting to be stripped of her leadership position. Why?
This is solely being done because she refuses to stop acknowledging Trump’s role in inciting the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol Building. Why is unmitigated support of an unpatriotic former president so important to the Republican party? At this very moment in history, Republicans don’t give a damn about its image at home let alone abroad.
They’re happy with their image of catering to their conservative base which is inundated with white supremacists. It’s their belief that with Trump at the helm, they can reclaim the Senate and House during the 2022 elections.
Herbert M. McLuhan, a noted Canadian philosopher, once famously stated, “The Medium is the Message.” Thus, interpreters have proffered that societies have been shaped more by mediums, such as Facebook and Instagram, rather than the content of the communication. Now, the persona of the communicator, like Trump, using the mediums must also be considered.
America’s image currently is a byproduct of the undemocratic voter suppression legislation passed by Republican legislators. Mediums, like Fox, used to communicates falsehood/propaganda, often laden with nonsensical sensationalism, also negatively impacts America’s image.
Consequently, a combination of Republicans’ continuing legislative attacks against voters and colossal media corporations’ unfettered news have not only the power to reveal America’s image of hypocrisy, but to exacerbate as well, its growing divide as a Nation.
