From Heather Cox Richardson's excellent Substack "Letters From an American":
On Monday, James Marriott of The Times, published in London, noted that the very stability and comfort of the post–World War II liberal order has permitted the seeds of its own destruction to flourish. A society with firm scientific and political guardrails that protect health and freedom, can sustain “an underbelly of madmen and extremists—medical sceptics, conspiracy types and anti-democratic fantasists.”
“Our society has been peaceful and healthy for so long that for many people serious disaster has become inconceivable,” Marriott writes. “Americans who parade around in amateur militia groups and brandish Nazi symbols do so partly because they are unable to conceive of what life would actually be like in a fascist state.” Those who attack modern medicine cannot really comprehend a society without it. And, Marriott adds, those who are cheering the rise of autocracy in the United States “have no serious understanding of what it means to live under an autocratic government.”
My daughter and I are headed for France tomorrow. I’m thinking we’re going to tell people that we’re Canadian, because it’s embarrassing to be an American right now.
Although I understand what you’re saying 100%, I’m here (France) all the time. Everyone around knows I’m American (ok some mistake me for British). But people don’t make public judgements about it (fortunately!)
Most French folks know that Americans abroad are less likely to be Trumpists. Also French people are generally unlikely to say things about sensitive topics like this to your face anyway. Not in a confrontational way at least. If they do bring it up they are probably genuinely curious and concerned.
And unfortunately, some French people like Trump.
All that to say, from someone living here, there’s no real need to pretend to be another nationality. People are pretty understanding.
I actually said to someone yesterday: it used to be embarrassing to be an American because we were loud and dressed badly. Now it's embarrassing because our government is behaving like a drunken thug in a shitty bar.
and hence I write to you from Toronto Canada where I filed my application for citizenship on February 7th having completed 3 years of residency. We are going to a wedding in Austin in March. I fear for the entire world, our children, grandchildren and friends and neighbors. Currently trying to shore up our potential enclave but not usre how safe we can be in a digital age...
Howdy! Fellow ex-Austinites here in Aix-en-Provence, now in our 2nd year. I weep for what is happening to the U.S. It's kind of unfathomable, even though we expected this admin would be terrible, just couldn't have imagined how terrible! Can't somebody please do something? Gah!
Anyway, every day since we finalized our move, we thank our lucky stars for escaping when we did. Still, I am so sad for all my friends, relatives, and former neighbors!
Well, eat some Franklin's barbeque and some great Mexican food when you go back - the 2 things (besides our peeps) that we miss the most!
The picture of the American soldiers with the French girl and the puppy makes me cry. We have become the bad guy, and Canadians are right to boo the US hockey teams. The slope is steeper and more slippery than we imagined. I thought we had enough smart people to keep this from happening. The fabric is unraveling too quickly, and I’m not sure how or if it can be stopped. 🥺
Agreed. We just returned from France (Perpignan, Marseille, Toulon, and Nice) where we enjoyed civility and respect, including discussing topics with analysis and context. Plus the weather and art! Back in eastern Oregon (70% Trump 2016 & 2020), I struggle with our options: stay with grandchildren, or move to France. Family. Like many others, we are not sure how to fight the War. Resist is the only choice. March. Boycott. Speak Out.
I have to go back for a work conference in June and I am dreading it. Bon courage to you. I’m also in Montpellier and would love to meet up for a coffee sometime!
I agree with all this unfortunately. I need to go to Florida in March and it seems particularly unsettling this time. Although it’s a false comfort to be at a distance to it all, in France… it’s a comfort nonetheless.
Good luck with going back to Austin. Such a well written piece and on target. Thank you. I can’t believe it’s almost time for you to leave… courage et bon retour!
I am heading the opposite way of you in 2 weeks--US to France--and am happy to get the reprieve from the chaos and noise for a few months. There are some uniquely internal American struggles that you will most likely experience when you are back in the states that are not really talked about in France (dismantling of protective health agencies, DEI and education department; personal data being shared, etc.) I find most of the discussions with French (and European) friends revolve around NATO, Ukraine, WHO, and climate change, which are all important issues. However, there are so many more immediate issues for us to tackle internally as Americans in order to secure our individual safety. I'll be interested to hear your perspective after you've been back in the US for a bit. Safe travels!
Yes, we've been keeping up with the news about what's going on in America right now. It's so troubling, and dangerous. At this point I have no idea if the swing voters who went with MAGA are regretting their choice. I remember being a kid and saving my money to order some cool toy from the back of a comic book. The advertising was slick, it looked fantastic and diverting...and of course what showed up was flimsy, gimmicky, not worth the money, and nothing like what was promised in the ad. I hope a big chunk of the MAGA voters feel now like I did then. The damage will be done, but maybe this can be turned around once it gets bad enough.
My family and I left the US in 2009, leaving a country whose regulatory apparatus allowed denial of health insurance to citizens with chronic disease or "pre-existing conditions." While this was a singular and a personal issue, it is consistent with the overall trajectory to the current day, where the well-being of the ordinary citizen is subject to the authority, greed and belief systems of a privileged class. It's true that the current shift is dramatic in its speed and scope--but it was planned over years in plain sight.
True, you are seeing a massive re-alignment, domestically and internationally. I do not know what you will experience in day-to-day experiences returning to the US, other than more of the polarisation that has existed prior to this year. Who among the supporters of the current regime feel empowered by it, and who might be feeling remorse? But expect cost of living to increase; government benefits to decline or shift from being awards to rewards; expect decline of education in general; expect limitation of minority rights and of rights of women; and more. If you eventually move abroad permanently, expect to be disenfranchised and to lose your right to vote in the US, as proposed by the SAVE act. And worry more about how US government policy will impact you living abroad than what your European neighbours will think of you personally. If you seek to integrate linguistically and culturally, they will understand and you will have their respect.
It will be interesting to hear your eventual report on your experience of returning to America. As I wrote in a recent essay posted here on Substack, it is difficult for me to now chart a return home to the US.
Yes, I hear you. I have so many concerns around banking and the security of US held assets going forward. Will "fiduciary" even exist in the future? Will FDIC still exist to protect our savings? They've made no secret of wanting Social Security gone, and my guess is they'll eventually go after it directly.
Thank you for this. I'll read your link, below. Yes - it reminds me of that story about someone asking a rich person how they went broke: slowly, then all at once. Same with this turn, it was first heard rustling in the grass and then there were steps on the porch. Now it's on the sofa, muddy feet on the coffee table, and it won't share the remote control.
From Heather Cox Richardson's excellent Substack "Letters From an American":
On Monday, James Marriott of The Times, published in London, noted that the very stability and comfort of the post–World War II liberal order has permitted the seeds of its own destruction to flourish. A society with firm scientific and political guardrails that protect health and freedom, can sustain “an underbelly of madmen and extremists—medical sceptics, conspiracy types and anti-democratic fantasists.”
“Our society has been peaceful and healthy for so long that for many people serious disaster has become inconceivable,” Marriott writes. “Americans who parade around in amateur militia groups and brandish Nazi symbols do so partly because they are unable to conceive of what life would actually be like in a fascist state.” Those who attack modern medicine cannot really comprehend a society without it. And, Marriott adds, those who are cheering the rise of autocracy in the United States “have no serious understanding of what it means to live under an autocratic government.”
My daughter and I are headed for France tomorrow. I’m thinking we’re going to tell people that we’re Canadian, because it’s embarrassing to be an American right now.
Although I understand what you’re saying 100%, I’m here (France) all the time. Everyone around knows I’m American (ok some mistake me for British). But people don’t make public judgements about it (fortunately!)
Most French folks know that Americans abroad are less likely to be Trumpists. Also French people are generally unlikely to say things about sensitive topics like this to your face anyway. Not in a confrontational way at least. If they do bring it up they are probably genuinely curious and concerned.
And unfortunately, some French people like Trump.
All that to say, from someone living here, there’s no real need to pretend to be another nationality. People are pretty understanding.
I actually said to someone yesterday: it used to be embarrassing to be an American because we were loud and dressed badly. Now it's embarrassing because our government is behaving like a drunken thug in a shitty bar.
and hence I write to you from Toronto Canada where I filed my application for citizenship on February 7th having completed 3 years of residency. We are going to a wedding in Austin in March. I fear for the entire world, our children, grandchildren and friends and neighbors. Currently trying to shore up our potential enclave but not usre how safe we can be in a digital age...
Howdy! Fellow ex-Austinites here in Aix-en-Provence, now in our 2nd year. I weep for what is happening to the U.S. It's kind of unfathomable, even though we expected this admin would be terrible, just couldn't have imagined how terrible! Can't somebody please do something? Gah!
Anyway, every day since we finalized our move, we thank our lucky stars for escaping when we did. Still, I am so sad for all my friends, relatives, and former neighbors!
Well, eat some Franklin's barbeque and some great Mexican food when you go back - the 2 things (besides our peeps) that we miss the most!
Corn chips and queso make a pretty good salve for a few days, right?! Let us know if you're ever passing through Montpellier!
Will do, we spent a few weeks there a few years back. Great city!
The picture of the American soldiers with the French girl and the puppy makes me cry. We have become the bad guy, and Canadians are right to boo the US hockey teams. The slope is steeper and more slippery than we imagined. I thought we had enough smart people to keep this from happening. The fabric is unraveling too quickly, and I’m not sure how or if it can be stopped. 🥺
Agreed. We just returned from France (Perpignan, Marseille, Toulon, and Nice) where we enjoyed civility and respect, including discussing topics with analysis and context. Plus the weather and art! Back in eastern Oregon (70% Trump 2016 & 2020), I struggle with our options: stay with grandchildren, or move to France. Family. Like many others, we are not sure how to fight the War. Resist is the only choice. March. Boycott. Speak Out.
I have to go back for a work conference in June and I am dreading it. Bon courage to you. I’m also in Montpellier and would love to meet up for a coffee sometime!
Lori - that would be great. Can you PM some contact information? Let's try to make that happen before we head back!
I agree with all this unfortunately. I need to go to Florida in March and it seems particularly unsettling this time. Although it’s a false comfort to be at a distance to it all, in France… it’s a comfort nonetheless.
Good luck with going back to Austin. Such a well written piece and on target. Thank you. I can’t believe it’s almost time for you to leave… courage et bon retour!
Thank you for the nice words about my writing, Jeneva.
I am heading the opposite way of you in 2 weeks--US to France--and am happy to get the reprieve from the chaos and noise for a few months. There are some uniquely internal American struggles that you will most likely experience when you are back in the states that are not really talked about in France (dismantling of protective health agencies, DEI and education department; personal data being shared, etc.) I find most of the discussions with French (and European) friends revolve around NATO, Ukraine, WHO, and climate change, which are all important issues. However, there are so many more immediate issues for us to tackle internally as Americans in order to secure our individual safety. I'll be interested to hear your perspective after you've been back in the US for a bit. Safe travels!
Yes, we've been keeping up with the news about what's going on in America right now. It's so troubling, and dangerous. At this point I have no idea if the swing voters who went with MAGA are regretting their choice. I remember being a kid and saving my money to order some cool toy from the back of a comic book. The advertising was slick, it looked fantastic and diverting...and of course what showed up was flimsy, gimmicky, not worth the money, and nothing like what was promised in the ad. I hope a big chunk of the MAGA voters feel now like I did then. The damage will be done, but maybe this can be turned around once it gets bad enough.
My family and I left the US in 2009, leaving a country whose regulatory apparatus allowed denial of health insurance to citizens with chronic disease or "pre-existing conditions." While this was a singular and a personal issue, it is consistent with the overall trajectory to the current day, where the well-being of the ordinary citizen is subject to the authority, greed and belief systems of a privileged class. It's true that the current shift is dramatic in its speed and scope--but it was planned over years in plain sight.
True, you are seeing a massive re-alignment, domestically and internationally. I do not know what you will experience in day-to-day experiences returning to the US, other than more of the polarisation that has existed prior to this year. Who among the supporters of the current regime feel empowered by it, and who might be feeling remorse? But expect cost of living to increase; government benefits to decline or shift from being awards to rewards; expect decline of education in general; expect limitation of minority rights and of rights of women; and more. If you eventually move abroad permanently, expect to be disenfranchised and to lose your right to vote in the US, as proposed by the SAVE act. And worry more about how US government policy will impact you living abroad than what your European neighbours will think of you personally. If you seek to integrate linguistically and culturally, they will understand and you will have their respect.
It will be interesting to hear your eventual report on your experience of returning to America. As I wrote in a recent essay posted here on Substack, it is difficult for me to now chart a return home to the US.
Yes, I hear you. I have so many concerns around banking and the security of US held assets going forward. Will "fiduciary" even exist in the future? Will FDIC still exist to protect our savings? They've made no secret of wanting Social Security gone, and my guess is they'll eventually go after it directly.
The post I referred to : https://leavingamerica.substack.com/p/is-there-a-road-home?r=1u1uw5
Thank you for this. I'll read your link, below. Yes - it reminds me of that story about someone asking a rich person how they went broke: slowly, then all at once. Same with this turn, it was first heard rustling in the grass and then there were steps on the porch. Now it's on the sofa, muddy feet on the coffee table, and it won't share the remote control.