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From Arnold Schwarzenegger
From The Economist, January 5th 2021
People who read my unapologetically opinionated pieces know that I’m far more likely to parody or mock aged Hollywood celebrities than to respect them. But today, as the US government gathers to preside over a count of Electoral College votes, I’m simply going to reproduce in full an interview the former Governor of California gave to The Economist this week:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA was my first love. I fell for this country long before I was lucky enough to live here. From the moment I was exposed to my first images of skyscrapers, huge bridges, Cadillacs, beaches and Hollywood in grade school, I felt that I belonged here.
And as I learned more about the founding of America, about the vision of the founding fathers, about this land of opportunity, I fell deeper and deeper under its spell. By the time I was lucky enough to move here more than 50 years ago, I was obsessed.
Today, I’m deeply concerned for my country. As an immigrant, as an American and as a Republican, it is my duty to speak up.
I grew up in the ruins of a country that gave up on democracy and faced the consequences. You may think I’m being overly sensitive about this — but when you’ve lived through the aftermath as I did, trust me, you worry.
