Volume 6, Issue 5
Initially, the two characters clash. They despise each other. Abby cannot dictate good manners to him. Mike cannot make her recognize basic truths. He calls basic truths “ugly” because people fail, in their denial, to accept them. After they try all other alternatives for lasting relationships, they realize that they both want the same thing, mutual respect and support. They come to the conclusion that it’s OK to be different, that, in a relationship, there is actually strength in diversity.
America is struggling with this same concept today.
For whatever reason, there is an ugly truth that progressives, elites, and the national news media refuse to recognize. America is exceptional. Protecting individual freedom produces a better way of life.
Let’s think about this a minute.
What do immigrants say is the primary reason for wanting to coming to America? The answer is, for a better way of life. Last night on Jimmy Kimmel a segment of the show was dedicated to illustrating the need to support individuals of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Jimmy made the case for sympathy for a family that would be divided if such illegal immigrants were not given a pathway to citizenship. The sympathy has merit. That’s not the point. How to provide a pathway to citizenship by respecting the current laws of the United States is what is essential. In mutual respect of differing opinions, mutual support can be achieved.
What are the ugly truths about the essentials of mutual respect for American exceptionalism?
The Ugly Truth of Border Security
Defined borders of sovereign nations are a natural foundational element of building societies. Throughout history, territories, kingdoms, and sovereign states maintained, defended, and secured borders. This was partly necessary the first 5,000 years of history because the control of land allowed for the control of resources. Resources generated wealth. Wealth funded military activity. Technology and trade across borders has minimized the need to control land. Borders, though, still today, define the extent of enforcement of laws passed by a certain societal jurisdiction. Societies are desirous of living a life pursuant to their national values. In this context, borders are just as important today as they have been throughout history.
A world with no borders would ultimately result in a world with no enforceable laws. A world without enforceable laws would further result in a blended society wherein rogues, dictators, and criminals could not be bound to justice.
The application of government services can only be properly analyzed, funded, and accounted for when the population served is calculable within defined borders.
Yes, America is a country of immigrants. It was not until the 20th century, that all land in the United States was incorporated into republics of statehood. Our national boundaries are now set. This does not mean that, as a compassionate, righteous nation, we do not want immigrants. Of course we do. And, all immigrants allowed should not be admitted solely on the merit of skill. We are still open to the poor and huddled masses, the politically persecuted, and yes of course, those seeking a better way of life. But if we are to protect the state of American exceptionalism, we must, by obligation to principle, secure our borders and measure, with purpose and compassion, immigration.
Tom Brokaw at NBC News recently opined that he supported immigration. What he didn’t understand is why DACA protestors displayed such hateful signs and slogans, demanding citizenship on their own terms, without consideration for the rule of law.
The Ugly Truth of the Rule of Law
It is perfectly appropriate for sovereigns, in pursuit of their national culture and values, to set out rules and laws for citizens to obey. This projects the purpose for individuals to contribute to the greater good of society. For the first 200 years, immigrants coming to this country brought aspects of their culture to America, enriching society and deepening the ocean of our diversity. Yet, they embraced America’s laws as their own. Cherishing the Bill of Rights, the English language, and respecting others was absorbed in their creed. In other words, they assimilated.
The Ugly Truth of Assimilation
Without full conformity of assimilation, we become nothing more than a nation of separate parts, antagonized by identity politics. A container of rock and sand can be used as a weight or counterbalance. But when the container (the border) is removed, the mixture breaks apart into its components of rock and sand. A mixture of gravel, sand, cement and water becomes a new substance (assimilation), concrete. When mature, concrete holds its own borders.
Recently, a lawyer and reporter for the New York Times, complained that she did not feel comfortable as an American with this President because he had made derogatory references to a country from which her relatives had immigrated. Being offended by the President’s comments is an acceptable conclusion for someone to reach. Yet, assimilation means that one does not feel uncomfortable as an American, even when the President says something insensitive about the country from which one’s ancestors came. The essence of the affront should be that the comment is insensitive to what we all believe together as Americans. We are all part of the assimilated concrete. Anyone who chips out a piece of the concrete, damages and mars the entire structure. The foundation of the pursuit of happiness is freedom.
The Ugly Truth of Freedom
They are all American companies.
Why would American companies completely dominate worldwide technology in their sector of the marketplace? It is simple. In America, we are freer than any other country. When we get up in the morning, as citizens, we can do anything we want as long as it is not against the law. In most of the rest of the world, when you get up in the morning and you want to do something, you still have to get the “king’s” (government) permission. Why? Because there is still the mentality that all activity should be managed or controlled for the good of the crown, not the people. Europe’s answer to Amazon, Google and Facebook is to control and regulate them. It does not initially dawn on these governments to first ask, is innovative freedom, in effort, serving the people?
As in the movie, The Ugly Truth, Abby and Mike are completely different souls looking for a lasting relationship, a union of two different people that, when joined, become as inseparable as the components of concrete. They find that together, in their pursuit of a common relationship, they are stronger.
President Trump, in his State of the Union speech last night, said, “So let’s begin tonight by recognizing that the state of our union is strong because our people are strong.” Regardless of your personal opinion of the President, his pointing out the ugly truth that America is exceptional should be the conclusion of our common creed. Our light of liberty is a beacon drawing people worldwide seeking freedom and a better way of life. To protect the infrastructure and foundation of freedom, border security, rule of law, and assimilation are critical essentials.
How we pursue happiness is our own individual mission. Realizing that this pursuit is made stronger when we seek freedom together, while respecting each other’s liberty, is what solidifies our society.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?