Volume 4, Issue 43
The last vestiges of European kingdom rule in the early 1900s were met with tumult, culminating in World War I. The following conflict of World War II ended any doubt that future governments would include the participation of the people. Democracy would now be a tenet of the future as the most powerful nation on earth reconciled its new world leadership role. Americans asked, ‘What image should this new identity project?’
In his first inaugural address on January 20, 1953, President Eisenhower paralleled Abraham Lincoln in his effort to make sense of America’s purpose. He sought to explain our destiny through rights of liberty existent as eternal. He sought to validate righteousness through the principles of faith.
“In the swift rush of great events, we find ourselves groping to know the full sense and meaning of these times in which we live. In our quest of understanding, we beseech God's guidance. We summon all our knowledge of the past and we scan all signs of the future. We bring all our wit and all our will to meet the question: …
At such a time in history, we who are free must proclaim anew our faith. This faith is the abiding creed of our fathers. It is our faith in the deathless dignity of man, governed by eternal moral and natural laws.
This faith defines our full view of life. It establishes, beyond debate, those gifts of the Creator that are man's inalienable rights, and that make all men equal in His sight.”
The media is eager to participate in this toxic environment of counterfeit exchange. They seem to have no interest whatsoever in illuminating binding principles that unite us as culture and society. In their elitist attitude, their view of the world is the only standard by which any opinion is measured for worth.
The public inherently knows better.
The average citizen is not selfish, not elitist, and not demanding that their point of view be declared superior. The average citizen simply wants to be included in the definition of the identity of America. The average American simply wants to be recognized as having value “in the deathless dignity of man.”
The shifting political opinions of the American electorate are pitting the blue-collar worker against the more educated of our society. This is not a matter of station in life, but the manifestation of the arrogance of intellectual leaders who proclaim ethereal egalitarianism as paramount to the economic security of the middle class.
Nowhere, to the dismay of the people and to the loss of the great debate of 2016, is there a comparison of principles to purpose. Those who feel strongly about their moral judgment have abandoned any inclusion of principle. Why is this so important? Because in debating eternal principles, we discuss the purpose of humanity, not just government. And in discussing the purpose of humanity, the result is the discussion of the dignity of all peoples. In this pursuit of the application of principles, all are included in the annotation of identity.
In defining the culture of a nation, concern for the needs of all must be recognized. Joint sacrifice to keep each other whole in spirit not only represents compassion, it fulfills completeness.
At the beginning of his address, President Eisenhower asked for the privilege to pray:
“Almighty God, as we stand here at this moment my future associates in the executive branch of government join me in beseeching that Thou will make full and complete our dedication to the service of the people in this throng, and their fellow citizens everywhere.
Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land. Especially we pray that our concern shall be for all the people regardless of station, race, or calling.”
As citizens, we seek leaders who possess the humility to believe in a higher calling. Leaders who believe in a recognition that rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are inalienable. And leaders who believe that we must hold each other accountable for the fair and righteous application of law.
President Eisenhower inspired America with these words,
“We must be willing, individually and as a Nation, to accept whatever sacrifices may be required of us. A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.”
Abandoning principle ends in destruction.
Valuing security at the expense of freedom risks the loss of both for the generations.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?