If I weren’t living here, I’d probably be laughing too.
From the outside, America looks like a reality show with too many seasons. The plot twists are absurd, the characters are corrupt, and the audience is wondering how we haven’t canceled ourselves yet.
But I’m not on the outside. I’m in it. And I ask “what the actual hell?” on a daily basis.
We like to think of ourselves as the beacon of democracy. The land of freedom. The world’s moral compass. But from the outside? We look like a cautionary tale.
A recent report from the Eurasia Group called the U.S. “the world’s most divided and dysfunctional advanced democracy,” warning that our internal chaos is now a threat to global stability.
Let that sink in.
We’re not just embarrassing ourselves—we’re destabilizing the planet.
Other countries watch our elections and see chaos. They see a government shutdown over healthcare subsidies while millions go without coverage. They see food assistance programs gutted while billionaires get tax breaks. They see a president sending National Guard troops into cities while Congress plays tug-of-war with basic services.
They see a country that can’t feed its own people, can’t agree on facts, and can’t keep its own lights on.
And they laugh. But it’s not just mockery—it’s fear.
Because when the most powerful country in the world starts unraveling, it sends shockwaves. It emboldens authoritarians. It weakens alliances. It makes the whole global order feel less stable.
And here at home? We’re too busy arguing over party lines and culture wars to notice the foundation cracking beneath us.
We teach our kids that America fought for freedom. That we led the charge for civil rights. That we’re the land of opportunity. But from the outside, it looks like we’ve forgotten what any of that means.
We’re the country that once inspired revolutions. Now we’re the country that inspires memes.
So here’s my Farm Table Talk:
If we want to stop being the punchline, we need to stop acting like the joke.
We need to remember that freedom isn’t just a slogan—it’s a responsibility.
And democracy isn’t just a system—it’s a practice.
Because the world is watching.
And right now?
They’re not impressed.
