Today I read that yet another wealthy celebrity left the U.S. after Trump’s election. Now, I don’t really care who lives where and there were plenty of celebrity ex-pats around the world already. What starts to itch at my brain parts is the ones who left specifically because of the state of American politics. I have a few reasons why.
#1 The privilege of wealth
You know the song “Wooden Ships” by Crosby, Stills, and Nash? The song, released in 1969, is about a group of people leaving the U.S. because of fallout after a nuclear war. They sail away to be “very free and easy, you know, the way it’s supposed to be.” I always liked the song itself and didn’t think too much about the subject matter until I heard Jackson Browne’s answer to “Wooden Ships” in the form of his song, “For Everyman:”
Everybody I talk to is ready to leave with the light of the morning
They’ve seen the end coming down long enough to believe that they’ve heard their last warning
Standing alone, each has his own ticket in his hand
And as the evening descends, I sit thinking ’bout everyman
Seems like I’ve always been looking for some other place to get it together
Where, with a few of my friends, I could give up the race and maybe find something better
But all my fine dreams, well thought-out schemes to gain the motherland
Have all eventually come down to waiting for everyman
Waiting here for everyman
Make it on your own if you think you can
If you see somewhere to go, I understand
Waiting here for everyman
Don’t ask me if he’ll show
Baby, I don’t know
Make it on your own if you think you can
Somewhere later on, you’ll have to take a stand
Then you’re gonna need a hand
Everybody’s just waiting to hear from the one who can give them the answers
And lead them back to that place in the warmth of the sun where sweet childhood still dances
Who’ll come along and hold out that strong but gentle father’s hand?
Long ago, I heard someone say something ’bout everyman
Waiting here for everyman
Make it on your own, make it if you think you can
If you see somewhere to go, I understand
I’m not tryin’ to tell you that I’ve seen the plan
Turn and walk away if you think I am
But don’t think too badly of one who’s left holding sand
He’s just another dreamer, dreamin’ ’bout everyman
© 1972 Jackson Browne
There are people like Ellen DeGeneres who have the means to hop on out, find a nice castle, and forget about everything they left behind. Isn’t that nice for her? And hey, if you can do that, fine. Just, you know… keep quiet about it. No one wants to hear how great you have it while we’re all here living through what you couldn’t handle.
#2 Our rights
Speaking of what you can’t handle, Rosie O’Donnell recently commented that she would return to the U.S. “when everyone has equal rights.” I respect Rosie and I enjoy how she baits the Orange One, but on this one I have to call for an umpire.
If everyone left the U.S. until all rights are restored, who would be here to fight for them? And as far as everyone who cares about this being able to leave, I refer you to #1 above.
#3 It’s our country, dammit!
If we all — and by “we” I mean everyone who is horrified and angered by the injustices being carried out in 2025 — start leaving, isn’t that handing the MAGA people what they want? Won’t they be tickled to death to see the “losers” leaving this country all to them?
I can’t do that. MAGA does not own patriotism. And as a veteran and a patriot, it’s my duty to at the very least stay here and be a citizen on my terms.
“If you see somewhere to go, I understand.
(I’m) Waiting here for everyman.”
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