Why The MEAN-ing of America™ Is the Political Reality Check Every American Needs Right Now

 

A Hard Look at a Nation in Decline and a Blueprint for Hope

In today’s climate of political polarization, mass misinformation, and growing hostility, it’s easy to feel like America has lost its way. But Canadian author and educator Gary Screaton Page offers something rare: a deep, compassionate, and honest look at what’s happening, and what we can do about it. His book, The MEAN-ing of America™: How America is Getting Meaner & What to Do About It, is not a finger-pointing rant. It’s a wake-up call.

More than a critique of modern politics, this book is a call to reflect on America’s core values, its founding promises, and the people it’s becoming. Page writes not as a political insider, but as a neighbor who cares. That outside perspective gives his voice both credibility and urgency.

A Mirror, Not a Megaphone

What makes The MEAN-ing of America™ different from most political books is that it doesn’t simply shout about the symptoms, it investigates the cause. Page takes readers on a journey through history, from the ideals of the Founding Fathers to the chaos of Capitol Hill today. He connects dots across decades, showing how civic ignorance, media distortion, and fear-based leadership have slowly reshaped a country known for liberty into one known for division.

Rather than obsessing over headlines, the author gets to the root of the issue: America isn’t just changing, it’s growing meaner. And that meanness shows up everywhere, from political rallies to school board meetings to our social media feeds.

Constitutional Values vs. Modern Realities

Each section of the book is structured around the goals of the U.S. Constitution, justice, tranquility, welfare, liberty, and contrasts them with America’s current reality. Page shows how far the country has drifted from its original intentions and how quickly those ideals are unraveling.

For example, he discusses how “Establish Justice” has come to mean something very different in a nation plagued by systemic inequality, legal loopholes for the powerful, and eroding public trust in courts. Or how “Insure Domestic Tranquility” seems like a far-off dream in the face of mass shootings, police violence, and neighborhood mistrust.

By grounding his analysis in foundational documents, Page brings credibility and clarity to the national conversation.

More Than Trump: A Cultural Reckoning

Though Donald Trump plays a prominent role in the book, he is not portrayed as the cause of America’s problems, but rather a symptom. Page argues that Trump is a reflection of what a large part of the country has become: angry, reactive, and addicted to “alternative facts.” In that sense, the book isn’t about Trump. It’s about all of us.

One of the most powerful themes Page explores is the erosion of truth itself. He exposes how propaganda, misinformation, and algorithm-driven outrage have made honest dialogue nearly impossible. And he makes the compelling case that unless we reestablish a shared reality, democracy cannot survive.

A Canadian’s Perspective with Global Relevance

As a Canadian, Page brings a unique outsider’s lens to American issues. His tone isn’t mocking or arrogant, it’s concerned, respectful, and sincere. He reminds readers that the world is watching, and many still look to the U.S. as a global beacon of freedom. The book asks, “Will America live up to its ideals, or become the very thing it once fought against?”

Practical and Hopeful

Despite its sobering content, The MEAN-ing of America™ doesn’t leave readers in despair. The final sections offer practical steps for reclaiming decency in civic life, from better education to more honest conversations across ideological lines. Page emphasizes that the power still lies with the people, if they choose to use it.

Final Thoughts

This is not a book for one side of the aisle. It’s a must-read for anyone who still believes in America’s promise, and who’s willing to fight for it with truth, integrity, and compassion.

If you’ve been wondering where the country is heading and what role you can play in shaping its future, The MEAN-ing of America™ might be the most important book you read this year.

Because as Gary Page makes clear: democracy only works when we do.