Fox in the USA: A Lifetime Testimony at the Heart of American Democracy

The question is, what explains someone who has such a strong affection for a country they were not born in? In this reviewer’s case, it’s England. American journalist and correspondent Michael Voss, 53, lost his heart in America, but in his book “Voss in the United States,” he explains that immigrants who become naturalized Americans always remain outsiders, no matter how hard they try to fully assimilate.

“Your mouth is like America”

Foss's dentist explains the two mixed nationalities in one person on the last page of the book: “Your mouth is like America.” Nice on top, shabby on the bottom. [ ] 'This is the country you and I live in!' The dentist also gives his Dutch-American patient good advice to do something very Dutch: Stop trying to fit in, and don't stress about being American enough. Just say no, like your prime minister – what was Ruti's name? Reinvent yourself but at the same time stay yourself. Just as it would be good for this country to have less stress.

love

Vos has proven himself flexible enough to conform to the American way of doing things and make fun of himself in the process. The young Dutch lawyer, originally from Maastricht, came to the United States twenty years ago. His love for director Alexandra Pelosi—daughter of the famous former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi—has kept him permanently in America.

Open doors

After some time, her political background as a prominent member of the Democratic Party seemed to open political doors that were closed to other foreign journalists. This may be an enviable thing, but Voss takes the political relationship between his wife’s family for granted. In an interview with De Volkskrant, he said: “If I am somewhere as a family member, I am not there as a journalist.” So I can use what I see, but if anything worthy of publication is said, I keep my mouth shut.

Presidents

In this way he separates his journalistic work, whether it be for HBO documentaries with his wife or not, and for Dutch and Flemish media.
In his book “Fox in the United States” he presents himself as an observer and interpreter of the American way of life, with the advantage that he can meet US presidents through his “mother-in-law” and can also shake hands with pop stars and Hollywood stars in front of the camera. He describes in soft pen what he feels in light of his background as a European.

exciting times

It is clear from reading the book that many things have remained the same in political and social life in America. Life in Modern America By Professor Peter Bromhead. It was one of the textbooks during my training in English simultaneous interpretation in the 1970s.

This is very clear: if you do not know history, you cannot fully understand the present. In any case, these are certainly interesting times.
Trump and Biden sounded like two old people fighting in the first political debate recently held before the November election. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach Vos via Holland Deb Oetgevers for additional comment on the actions of either gentlemen and the way they are currently running their campaigns.

Leo Trump

At 80, Biden doesn’t yet feel too old to continue in office, and Trump, who is approaching his 80s, seems to be sticking to his roaring lion modus operandi. Voters and senior Republicans seem to think that’s cool. Meanwhile, YouTube is full of videos in which his behavior and actions are not analyzed in Trump’s favor.

The question remains whether the current situation has anything to do with democracy.

Michelle Voss. 2024. “Fox in the USA”. Hollands Diep Uitgevers. Amsterdam, Antwerp. ISBN 97890488715201. 400 pp. 22.99 €

jannykok [at]today and tomorrow[dot] NL

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