Americans, who are you?

I lived 20 years in the USA and I have learnt to treasure and appreciate the ordinary Americans. They are people who do their job and are content with the fruits of their labour. They are politically aware, particularly on local issues. They vote. They share opinions and ideas. The ordinary Americans enjoy life.

            The crowd I used to hang out with was probably more idealistic, more opinionated than most of the people I meet in Norway. It has to do with the kind of direct democracy which is active in regular elections, where you have to vote on issues – like raising taxes to pay for the Zoo, the local schools, the sports stadium to keep the pros in town, etc. It has to do with caring for your district, you neighbourhood, your family and friends. They also believe in democracy.

The ordinary Americans are painfully aware of the US foreign policies, as they are the families who see their young teenage sons enter into military training. They are the mothers and fathers, the sisters and brothers who learn to live with fear and patience, who need to find courage to back up their own offspring, as they are sent into the war zones of this world.

            US military are called upon to provide brute force, to deal with disturbance of confusing conflicts and forces of evil in different part of the world. Whatever they do, they will be criticized. I think it gives off a rather bad odour when Norwegians find it necessary to mouth off a sour criticism. They do not send their loved ones into harms way; they sacrifice nothing.

            To me, the ordinary Americans are decent people, willing to give and share, willing to help where needed.

This past election was complicated for most of these ordinary people. The Democrats ditched Bernie Sanders and promoted Queen Hillary. It seemed like she had earned her right to be first. Although I disagree with Bernie on many issues, I value his contribution to the political scene. He is real, has always been an idealist, and he is willing to work democratically and politically in order to solve problems.

            Hillary lost the game to the most unlikely Republican candidate ever. It makes me wonder if many had the sentiment like: Anything but Hillary, even Trump.  Whereas the press gave the impression that Hillary was entitled to become the next president of the USA, the ordinary Americans revolted and decided the better bet for them was on the self-made billionaire with brash manners, unschooled in political correctness, unskilled in debate technique, and with little traditional political experience. Since the choice is really only between two, one will be preferred over the other.

            In Norway, not surprisingly, all the Christian leaders interviewed in the newspaper Dagen would have voted for Hillary Clinton. This generation of Norwegians are not used to think much on an independent level. Most people have the same opinion.  Ok, I must admit that I was no Trump-fan, and I would have voted for a third-party candidate, sort of in protest. It puzzles me that peace-loving Norwegians would unilaterally go for a power hungry, aggressive warmonger with a rather careless treatment of classified material. Her name is associated with fraud, cover-up, people committing suicide in the wake of misconduct in the Clinton trust fund, but Norwegian Christian leaders must not consider such things as too bad, I guess.

So, Trump won the election with 306 electorates vs. 232 for Clinton. A map provided by Pamela Geller shows the red blanket of the US map in counties where Trump won.

            I spoke with an older couple in the Mid-West, a retired couple in their 80-ties. They have worked hard all their lives. Lately they have had some challenges with the health care since the introduction of the new health reforms under Obama’s administration.  Their benefits were down and the health care costs were up.

They were happy to see a guy like Donald Trump come on the scene. There was a new sense of optimism. He is a pragmatic and has good negotiating skills, which he has used in business.

I admire the old couple. I have deep respect for them. So, they welcome Trump: interesting. It does not make them racist or sexist, nor greedy or pretend-Christians. It does not make them ignorant, easily fooled, self-interested or isolationist. They are ordinary Americans embracing new trends. What makes America great are people just like them, and the citizens of America will always be their best resource. Only Americans can make America great again – and, by God's grace, power and love,  I think they will.

For us Christians, it is a good time and opportunity to pray. God may move the hearts of men and women. Politicians are ordinary people, but they carry the responsibility for the common good of  citizens and for opportunities these people have to contribute. It is a good time and opportunity to do what is good in our communities and to live peacefully with all as far as we can.