POLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS versus POLITICAL CORRECTNESS Transatlantic Views from a Generation X Special Federal Express Voter

I usually refrain from sharing and writing political posts on Facebook or Linkedin. I don’t think these social media platforms are suited forums for that and I prefer to discuss things that I am really passionate and also more knowledgeable about such as music, cinema, risk management or waterskiing…. So please take this column with a grain of organic seal salt and view it as a rare diversion from me into that dangerous territory (Twilight Zone theme music playing in the background).

As a dual French American citizen presently living overseas, I already sent my absentee ballot and cast my vote for the imminent presidential election. This has been made possible thanks to an efficient and reliable long distance voting system New York Board of Elections put in place as well as precious assistance provided by the Union of Overseas Voters. Great job, guys. This is the second time I have been eligible to vote as a US citizen. I was naturalized in July 2012 a few months before Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term. Prior to that, I spent 15 years legally residing and working in the US on various L.1 and H.1.B visas, then on a permanent resident green card, all sponsored by a major American financial institution that initially imported me from my hometown Paris in the with a risk analyst job back in the late 90's. Before receiving my citizenship. I paid US taxes just like a local resident but simply did not have the right to vote. Thanks to a precious bilateral treaty, I was able to also keep my French citizenship. Over the past 20 years, I have voted at four French presidential elections so far, ironically all of them “long distance” too as I was based in the U.S. the whole time. I feel blessed to have the privilege to vote in two countries geographically separated by an ocean but united in spirit as respectively considered to be the birthplaces of modern democracy. This has “stretched” the spectrum of my political and geo-political consciousness quite a bit both in the literal and metaphorical sense of the word.

I have seen a plethora of posts on social media pertaining to the election. Some were elaborate and articulate, providing substance, valid and nuanced points of references. Other posts were entertaining but rather simplistic, focusing more on sensational rather than true intellectual content, dishing the dirt about either one or the other equally controversial candidates, and recycling statements often enhanced by photoshopped graphics, edited videos and cryptic hashtags. These latter posts seem to invariably end up creating endless, unproductive, at times offensive comments leading to arguments versus actual debates. A collective agenda is at stake in this pivotal election, but voting remains, after all, a personal choice and experience. I believe that political preferences and differences should not be such a divisive factor in everyday’s life. At least, I don’t want to see it happen among my immediate circle of relatives, friends and social and professional connections. If your opinion differs from mine, I am not going to condemn or shame you publicly, trying to make you feel guilty and “uncool.” Unless you feel the need to share and consult with me in private and I will be there for you the best I can, I am not going to tell you what you should do or not do, or even worse threaten to "unfriend" you. It would be condescending and intrusive of me as a friend and as a fellow citizen. You are an experienced and intelligent grown-up with most likely a wider (US) voting experience than mine, at least this is how I perceive you. Those who feel entitled to write off a connection because that person is endorsing their least favorable candidate and consider they are 200% “politically correct” about it, are missing a point, I think. They are being “incorrect” about one thing: their attitude is not quite consistently in line with the progressive, inclusive and tolerant ideas they are supposedly supporting.

As the ultimate date is now imminent, I would suggest that perhaps you should stop posting last minute election-oriented material on this platform and really disconnect from social media for a while at least as regards to exercising your right to vote and performing your citizen’s duty. Instead take some time to reflect, read reliable trusted sources (newspaper, books not just blogs…), have real and meaningful conversations with your family, loved ones, close friends, your mentors etc… Brush up on some acute economic and societal issues of the political agenda, read about the respective influences of the executive power versus the judiciary power (Supreme Court) and vice versa … and make the best informed and educated decision. Think also about prior generations who fought so we can have this privilege today. They did not have social media to distract them and give them the illusion that their message can become “viral” by just a few clicks on a keypad. They were too busy working, assimilating and creating real content, risking their jobs, businesses and lives sometimes to get their voice heard, shaping and building hopes of a better future for the next ones to come.

I doubt many read this post all the way through or just don't quite understand where I am "getting at" or even "coming from." Some may feel rubbed the wrong way by a couple of my earlier comments. They might think that I am actually turning into a closeted member of the party they despise or worse a travesty “Trumpette-player.” If, as a consequence, they want to unfriend me from their social network, that is their choice and perception. I will leave it to their political conscience. I cast my vote, I am not chasing theirs or anyone else’s, I am not running for an election or a popularity contest to increase my digital presence. But I will be present for them to the best of my availability if they want to engage and further discuss with me. It is quite ironic to claim to be “present” while, at the same time, sending an “absentee” ballot, but that is, I guess, what makes me a “Special Federal Voter” as stated on the official return envelope that flew across the ocean less than two weeks ago, “Fedex voter” would be a more appropriate and cooler term actually. For now I will let you all vote in peace and with total freedom of mind. God bless America. Cheers to that. Love.

Pascalito El Franco Americano 

Paris, November 6, 2016