Volume 5, Issue 46
The great American Experiment has always embraced the unorthodox societal concept that a multitude of cultures could be blended into one American spirit. All Americans have a diverse heritage. The census would indicate that literally no one is of one ethnically pure blood line. Yet we still live and think along the divisive lines of some ethereal mirage of our past existence. It is not so much that Americans cannot find common purpose. But a great void has manifested an open wound that can’t be treated by normal medical protocol (politics). Why?
Because we have lost any vision of identity that, by its definition, comforts us in the storms of cultural and political idealism.
We seek the ancient roots of both biblical and historical coalescing sinew. We seek to belong to a tribe.
By our Declaration of Independence in 1776 from the then hereditary and tribal order of the world, Americans were left to politics and political movements to address their needs for tribal identity. Political parties have become so corrupt and dysfunctional that they are tainted beyond their ability to provide simple identity. There was a day when one could say they were a New Deal Democrat, and later, a Reagan Republican. Since the 1980s, tribal identity has been served through catch-phrase movements, like the New Right or the Gay Rights Movement. We now find ourselves uncomfortably clinging to associations with inadequate explanation for desired future societal destination. These movements are more at war with each other for present control. They fail to engage all people in aspirations for an inclusive future hope. Said movements include the Progressives, the Establishment, and the Rebellion.
Progressives are determined to double-down on more government and more regulation. The reason socialism hasn’t worked, in their view, is that it has never been tried and implemented in purity. The Establishment is the political movement of the status quo. They solve problems by kicking the can down the road, hoping for a better outcome in time. They will offer to cut taxes and increase the deficit in the argument that the current debt is not a crisis. They further argue that if we unleash the economy, in time, it will grow to absorb the debt. The Rebellion operates under the premise that you can drain the swamp without stranding any boats on dry land. This movement ignores the fact that, regardless of whose fault it is, 20% of the American public needs government support. Without it, those in need will perish. None of the current movements available for charter cast a vision for the future of sustainable prosperity. What then is the answer?
A Fourth Way
A new movement is emerging based on time-honored and proven principles. In previous Nuttle Reports, we have discussed the fourth turning. The first turning was the Declaration of Independence. The second turning was the Civil War. The third turning was the culmination of World War II. And the fourth turning is America’s unique position in the world today to defend the values of freedom worldwide economically. At each turning, the country reflected upon its founding values. Each crisis necessitated change in the current societal system, relying on those values to maintain freedom for all. So, the fourth turning is no different. It also stands in such need.
In foreign policy, the U.S. should promote rule of law, due process, independent courts, free press, and transparency as national objectives. Democracy, in and of itself, is less important than the principles it represents. We believe that democracy is the best vehicle for the maintenance of freedom. But it is the principles that must be advocated and protected. This should be our stated purpose in our foreign relations with every other sovereign government.
In domestic policy, as it relates to every citizen, the U.S. should embrace constitutional freedom, economic sensibility, local control of government by the people, and a commitment to citizen responsibility. These axioms illuminate, in their definition, the goals of a balanced budget, protection of the Bill of Rights, states’ rights, and a citizen’s obligation to serve their country.
In this new movement, each citizen defines for themselves the answer to this question – what is it that I believe is critical for our culture to prosper, and for the next generation to inherit from my generation? Once the answer to this question is memorialized, a participating member will commit to defend and communicate that truth to their fellow citizens.
Too simplistic? Never! All belief systems begin with a simple definition of Truth.
The President’s recent trip to Asia achieved some positive results. However, stating to each leader of each country visited the five principles of American foreign policy would have clarified America’s intentions for interaction in the future. This would include trade negotiations, military authority, the limits of dictatorships, and hope for the citizens of the world. Freedom belongs to every citizen of every country, not just Americans.
The United States is not in a trade war with China. It is, in fact, at the point of economic ideological conflict. The Chinese system is communistic with socialistic application. They have grown in enough size and economic power that surrounding nations in their sphere must either choose to follow their practices, or seek the United States for help. Satellite countries in the Pacific Rim cannot stand on their own economically. This economic conflict between the U.S. and China will be resolved by one system dominating the world. There is a point where the world cannot maintain equilibrium economically in a half-communist, half-capitalistic world. The balance will ultimately tip to a specific ideological order.
The United States should form the Alliance of Freedom and the League of Free Enterprise Nations. Any nation could join these organizations if they commit to the five principles of foreign policy and the principles of free enterprise and free trade. Many developing nations would welcome such a league.
Why?
Because free enterprise allows for freedom of thought, freedom of choice, and …. the exercise of freedom of will. Dictatorships and totalitarian governments restrict freedom of thought and choice to meet the standardization of lifestyles to support the governments’ needs. Since 1776, the United States has been the standard bearer of the ideal that freedom of thought, supported by a government that facilitates the people’s freedom, is the best formula for prosperity and the individual pursuit of happiness. Socialism has never worked in 6,000 years of recorded history.
Domestically, the U.S. government should establish the Department of Generational Transition. A new government agency might appear like added government. Its purpose, however, would be to challenge every government agency in existence to cut itself substantially or be eliminated altogether in deference to the same government activity at the state level. Further, it would be charged with the initiative to enable every American to serve their country in their unique capacity as a volunteer for at least two years. Citizen responsibility means taking care of oneself and one’s family as best one can. In this effort, therefore, one gives back to the country that protects one’s freedom. Anyone who has served in the military, police force, first responder or the classroom of primary education has already served and is to be exempted. In doing this, every American honors all who have gone before them, and binds the generations for the future.
The fourth turning will result in a transition. In this transition, no program for the truly needy should be cut or restricted. The opportunity of the transition, though, must be to change the mindset of the citizenry that welfare is a career choice.
What then do we call this new movement? Perhaps the IDP -- In Defense of Principle. In this fourth turning, as in the past, we look to the preeminence of our national purpose in 1776. As this is summarized by our national motto on the dollar bill, Novus ordo seclorum, a new order for the generations.
In these times, may we all commit to the Truth and Honor of such a movement, a movement in our fourth turning that once again reestablishes the principle that Freedom is the essence of human spirit and progress.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?