No to Extremism...
Yes to Progress
FGG focuses on domestic issues, for international influence depends on a vibrant economy and democracy. Here are several suggestions.
Valued influence ceases when we cease to be a vibrant democracy, economic powerhouse, and staunch promoter of human dignity and the right to live in safety and decency. To accomplish key goals, foreign policy must emanate from a strong economy and democracy of integrity. Add the dollar as the international currency reserve, for without this our economic power will be diminished. This, too, is under threat.
Our focus should be on restoring economic independence, supply chains (like rare earths), and domestic manufacturing from semiconductor to emerging clean energy industries to medical supplies (as exposed during Covid) - at minimum, importing key products from friendly and trustworthy countries.
Influence also lies in healthy government rather than dysfunction of present. Hothead politicians paralyze progress and create the perception that we can not be relied upon. Countries breaking treaties command little respect.
Lastly (and critically) it is important to address problems comprehensively. Illegal immigration is a good example. Millions leave their countries because of corrupt governments dominated by criminal drug cartels. Drug gangs earn billions of dollars from nationwide drug addiction, causing the death or ruin of millions of lives. Our healthcare and mental health facilities are inadequate. The drug epidemic fuels the problem at the Southern border. People by the millions flee dangerous narco states fueled by billions of dollars flowing from American drug addicts.
Economic assistance and destruction of drug gangs can diminish Central/South American poverty and the widespread obsession to flee. It sends a message to millions of people that they are better off building a stronger homeland and America will help.
Foreign and domestic policies do not handle this comprehensively. Dysfunctional politics blocks even minimal legislation. There are crises worldwide, from Ukraine to Israel to Central/South America, where comprehensive planning will better serve our interests.
American foreign policy could sponsor foreign economic growth; governments free of criminal drug cartels; and a cleaner environment under threat from pollution, warming and rising sea levels.
Anger and dysfunction breed poor policy. The world economy and environment are a singular unit, and we cannot escape this reality. Intervention could have prevented two disastrous World Wars and Nazi Germany. Let’s embrace a pivotal role.
Foreign
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