The Vision Thing

Listening to a discussion of the Republican candidates on Tim Russert's talk show on MSNBC, I was struck by the comparison of Fred Thompson's sober view of America - things are ok now but could get worse, that's why we need his leadership - vs. that of Ronald Reagan in 1980 (morning in America, etc.). The comparison is interesting for two reasons. First, Thompson is marketing himself as the reincarnation of Reagan - a larger-than-life former actor with a vision - the visions are so different in tone and even substance in many ways. Russert and Co. point out that Romney's vision is more Reagan-esque.

But I also found it interesting to take a step back and think about the vision I'd like to see guide America well into the 21st century. With the major candidates reluctant to get specific on their vision or detailed policies, the campaign is a bit frustrating. Chuck Todd of NBC noted how voters and focus groups want "authenticity" - for candidates to talk candidly about who they are, what they believe, and what they will do if elected. Me, too!

Let's take foreign policy. There have been strains of isolationism, protectionism, and nativism throughout our country's history - and we've seen those ideologies of fear, insecurity, and distrust in policies that avoided confronting the aggression and genocides of Hitler and Milosevic, raised tariffs that sparked reciprocal barriers to American companies trying to sell abroad, and established discriminatory and harsh immigration quotas that separated families and legitimized prejudices.

But America became the world's superpower - defeating the two greatest evils of the 20th century, fascism and communism - and grew an economy that not only dominates the new globalized world but also brought enormous wealth and hope to millions of Americans in an expanding middle class by demonstrating strength, courage, and persistence in confronting its enemies and challengers; promoting free trade; and harnessing the hard work and innovation of immigrants.

In The World Is Flat, Tom Friedman frames the choice for America as choosing between seeing the new "flat" world as one of challenges and opportunities or one full of threats, whether they be from new economic challengers in India and China or terrorists from al Qaeda and other extremist organizations.

It is my hope and belief that we will embrace this new world as one that presents vital challenges and opportunities. That we will tap into that great tradition of innovation and hard work - and, dare I say, sacrifice? - to seize the moment and solve our problems and lead the world into a new era of peace and prosperity.

That doesn't mean we should not press China to improve its labor and environmental laws and regulations or design a sensible immigration policy that will reduce the number of illegal immigrants while providing new workers and opportunities for family reunions. But it means that when we encounter problems and challenges we don't revert back to the failed ideologies of the past that were based on fear and prejudice. We need solutions that will be consistent with our time-hnored traditions and values and will make America even stronger in the coming decades.