Have you noticed that the simple acronym “MAGA” sends liberals into a frenzy? Somehow MAGA has become a four-letter word spewed from leftwing mouths as if it makes their teeth hurt. Has anyone told them that MAGA simply means “Make American Great Again”?
In 2023, the glass-ceiling-breaking White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was called out for violating the Hatch Act. According to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, her repeated derisive commentary from the White House podium in the fall of 2022, particularly her constant accusatory references to those dastardly “mega MAGA Republicans,” was designed to influence the midterm elections. President Biden himself referred to “MAGA Republicans” as a threat and urged supporters during a speech at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters to vote for Democrats.
Mega-MAGA … a threat to America.
What happened to those halcyon days when political differences did not mean we were not still all Americans, those days when differences of opinion did not destroy the commonality of citizenship and patriotism?
The Nielsen Company is still the world standard for assessing the scope and reception of broadcast capability. Nielsen’s 2021 annual report found that 88% of all Americans are still reached by some form of radio broadcast every week. Radio gave us the very first MAGA — the idea of American greatness.
At the tail end of the Depression, people needed hope and inspiration. Superman’s debut to the comic book world in 1938 came at a time of great unrest in the world. Europe was going to war, the Nazis were posturing for a nationalized version of racial prejudice, and economic instability was rampant. Superman captured more than just the attention of kids needing a hero, quickly becoming one of the top-ranked radio shows in the world in 1940. Families sat listening and imagining as the Man of Steel fought crime.
But in the wake of Pearl Harbor the Superman radio show kicked off its famous byline, recognizable for generations. Superman fought for “Truth, Justice and the American Way!” The mantra was designed to bolster Americans struggling with the effects of WWII.
I doubt if Karine Jean-Pierre is a fan. In 2011, during the Obama era, Action Comics #900 saw Superman renounce his U.S. citizenship to take a more global perspective. In 2021, DC Comics announced that the revised mission statement of Superman was now “Truth, Justice and a Better Tomorrow.” Why? Is it really so wrong to extol the U.S. as a nation?
To liberals it is.
The current administration sees “MAGA” as a threat. I suggest the opposite. Messaging to the world that America is exceptional should be the actual job of the White House.
In 1942, with WWII fully underway, the U.S. decided to message who we are and what we stand for to those living under tyranny and uncertainty. The U.S. established the Voice of America (VOA) broadcasting network, which still exists today under a charter signed into law by President Gerald Ford. The verbiage of Public Law 94-350 requires the VOA to serve as a representation of America and our policies:
“The long-range interests of the United States are served by communicating directly with the peoples of the world by radio. To be effective, the Voice of America must win the attention and respect of listeners. These principles will therefore govern Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts….”
During WWII, VOA broadcast into Nazi Germany. During the Cold War, it was one of the most effective communication tools behind the Iron Curtain. Today, VOA news of the outside world is transmitted to North Koreans, while China does what it can to jam Voice of America. VOA broadcasts around the world in 48 languages and reaches an estimated 326 million adults worldwide with an American perspective.
But liberals can’t let that happen. It might be seen as too, well, “MAGA,” to actually promote American values, culture and policies.
In recent years controversy erupted as VOA became known for injecting liberal bias into its reporting. Michael Park, the Trump appointee who oversaw VOA, was said by the Biden administration to have abused his power in the position. In Park’s words, he had taken the reins to root out corruption at VOA and drain the swamp. He actually fired editors who promoted an anti-American agenda. That whole MAGA thing was rearing its ugly head.
The new head of VOA appointed by the Biden administration is Michael Abromowitz, who previously served as an editor for the uber-liberal Washington Post and the left-leaning think-tank Freedom House. Let’s see how that goes.
Here's the bottom line: The messaging of American interests is supposed to be one that advances American interests. Set aside whether you personally like Trump or Biden/Harris. What are they are saying about us? What is the message sent to the world about the United States of America by either administration?
Their job is to protect and defend the United States of America, to advance its interest, to serve its people.
With that said, which messaging do you prefer? The one that uses “make America great again” like an insult? Or the one who says, “Make America great again,” meaning making, keeping and preserving the greatness of our nation?
It should be a simple answer.
As for me, well, I’m with Superman. I’m all for “truth, justice and the American way!”
To contact Phil or request him for a speaking engagement, go to www.rightsideradio.org. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
