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MAGA Finally Makes Sense
Just because it began silly, does not mean it will always be so.
When Donald John Trump was on the political stump in red gimme hats inscribed MAGA, for “make America great again,” some of us were puzzled about when our national status slipped so far that the slippage should be a national political issue.
We still had the world’s most robust economy. The U.S. dollar was the sole reserve currency since Bretton Woods I and Richard Nixon kissed the gold standard goodbye. The primary means of projecting military power had become the carrier battle group, of which we had 11, more than the entire rest of the world combined. We have won more Nobel prizes than the next 10 nations put together.
While the United States does not give as much per capita as many other nations, the sheer size of our contributions combined with our logistical ability means that food and medicine and building materials with U.S. markings show up at the scene of most international disasters.
All is not puppies and kittens. The U.S. is the biggest dealer in military arms. The U.S. has long ago lost its status as the nation with the most social mobility. We have the most expensive health care in the world while remaining far from the top in health outcomes.
