We have unsustainable National Debt accumulating by the nanosecond.
There is gender confusion with ten family systems operating in our nation.
Anarchy reigns concerning citizenship and voting.
Porous borders.
Academic, media and political elites despise “flyover country” with its folks “clinging to their guns and religion.”
Reliable allies are disdained and “outreach” to terrorists yields displacement for millions and martyrdom for thousands.
Islamist neighborhoods grow in the midst of urban blight and suburban apathy in the USA.
Conservative Jews and devout Christians are open season for scurrilous attacks while even feminists rarely confront radical Islam.
What is America’s future? Will her two-and-a-half centuries of self-correcting representative government continue? Will the freedoms of conscience/religion, assembly, redress and speech continue or will current prosecution of dissent devolve into chilling restraints of investigative journalism and open access to information? Will citizenship cease having meaning?
This is the first of several posts articulating the values, vision and particular personal and public actions needed for the American Experiment to continue and thrive.
The USA is at a historical tipping point. Then next decade will determine whether or not this unprecedented experiment in human liberty – founded on first principles affirmed by most people of conscience – self-corrects to descends into anarchy and totalitarianism. Amidst all the (necessary) debates on debt, foreign policy and immigration, there is one crucial factor that if ignored, will be the undoing of a great (if quite imperfect) nation.
One Thing
All of America’s institutions, liberties and prosperity are grounded in a virtuous citizenry. A Republic with democratic principles requires enormous amounts of personal responsibility and implied consent on what constitutes the common good. Until the past half-century, most Americans – people of all faiths or none – held tacit agreement on the precepts needed for ordered liberty. These God-given or Natural Rights are the foundations for ethical expectations, reasonable legislation and enforcement of the rule of law. The “one thing” was not a particular religious affiliation or ethnic heritage. It was implied agreement on the timeless ideals that inspire the discipline, hopefulness and sacrifice ensuring opportunity for the next generation.
A First Step
The road to renewal begins asking the most important question: What are the principles for sustained flourishing? From this one questions comes one more: On what basis do we affirm these principles? Are they merely subject to elite agitation-propaganda or momentary majorities?
The answer lies in distinguishing timeless truths from timely opinions. Our Founders and Framers believed that God Almighty was the Source of human rights and responsibilities. Human failure was not a reason to reject standards that engender humility and service. It is time again for open public discussion of the cornerstones of a free and virtuous society. In between theocratic control and secular totalitarianism lies the golden mean of freedom rooted in a moral consensus.
It is time for a civil, lively and open discussion for the sake of future generations.