MAGA vs MAAG

By Fred Bates - October 2024

 MAGA (Make America Great Again) is a fool's errand - MAAG (Make America America Again) is a more realistic goal

Don't get me wrong. I am in support of the goal of the MAGA movement of Donald Trump. Who could possibly be against making America a great nation again? However, to make America great again is a fool's errand. A more realistic goal would be to make America America again by getting back to basic norms such as border security, sound foreign policy focused on national security backed by a strong military, eliminating waste and corruption in government, protecting voting rights and election integrity, respecting the rights of citizens guaranteed by the Constitution, supporting law enforcement to ensure safe communities, and having respect for our economic system that is based on capitalism. Getting back to these norms will make America America again, but this alone will not make America great again. For America to be great again will require more. To be great again, we need strong and principled elected officials at the national level that are committed to working together to solve problems; and leaders that have absolute respect for the Constitution and the rule of law. Also, our nation must become energy independent or energy dominant again. This will provide for the creation of a strong economy, that ensures low inflation, higher wages, and the opportunity for the average American to achieve the "American Dream." Perhaps the biggest barrier to America being great again is the persistent out-of-control or deficit spending by Congress. Deficit spending by the federal government has led to a staggering national debt of approximately thirty-five trillion dollars and counting. If I had to pick the single greatest existential threat to America's greatness, it would be the national debt. Until we eliminate our national debt, or at least reduce it significantly, our greatness will continue to be diminished.