Donald Trump says he wants to “make America great again.” It’s an effective catchphrase, because who doesn’t want America to be great? It raises, however, several questions.
First, is America no longer great? In his unsuccessful 2014 gubernatorial race, Bob Beauprez had a similar slogan: “Let’s build a stronger Colorado.” The message ultimately didn’t resonate, in part because most Coloradans believed our beloved state was already pretty strong. Similarly, many Americans still believe this is a great country, as — and Trump supporters may find this ironic — do the many immigrants looking to live and prosper in the US.
With his slogan, Trump defines the group to whom he appeals: Those who have not prospered in recent years, and those who fear America is not on the right path. Despite Trump’s use of the word “great,” this slogan defines his campaign by negativity.
Second, the word “again” is tricky. It says: America was once great; it is no longer. Let’s go back to when it was. When was that? It seems that when people utter this slogan they are harkening back to an idealized view of the 1950s, when the United States was riding a crest of post-war productivity, technological advancement and peace.
Yet, we had also just come out of a world war, were living under the specter of nuclear attack, the South was still segregated and most women did not work. Not to mention, America was at war on the Korean peninsula with the foreshadowing of further military engagement in southeast Asia.
So when was this ideal period of “greatness?” Any period following WW I cannot qualify, as it informed the upheaval of the entire 20th century, up to today. That war also destroyed the idea that the US could exist in an isolationist bubble, free to manifest its destiny without having to take any global responsibility. Leading up to that period, there was slavery, Civil War and rampant racism. Rose-tinted spectacles filter all that out. On the other hand, Trump’s spectacles emit a shining light on points of American history many would like to think we’ve moved past, such as nativism, jingoism and xenophobia. These were big in the 1890s and 1920s, two periods often associated with “greatness.”
Which leads to the third question: How is “great” defined? Is it merely economic prosperity? It is global influence? Does one ignore social unrest, poverty, gender inequality, anti-Semitism, etc.? Even if one focuses solely on financial prosperity, does one ignore the devastating busts that followed unpre- cedented booms? The Great Depression obviously comes to mind.
Ultimately, like so many political slogans, “Make America great again” is just an empty phrase. Doesn’t mean it isn’t darn effective!
Copyright © 2016 by the Intermountain Jewish News
