Volume 10, Issue 44
Born as infants, we are dependent upon someone for feeding us, clothing us, nurturing us, and teaching us in every capacity of our lives. As we grow, we develop our own personalities and take strides to be self-supporting. Reaching the age of 18 establishes initial independence. Yet true maturity is not achieved until we understand that we are members of a society bound by a common purpose. It is at this point of collective will that we understand the concept of “we.”
And so it is with citizenship.
Often, political leaders talk about individual rights as ordained by God and inalienable. This is a truth. However, ultimate freedom is realized when individuals mature to the point of view that personal liberty is meant to operate within the construct of a greater body. In this universal society of common purpose, freedom and liberty are enhanced and leveraged in benefit through the commitment every member citizen acknowledges to one another in pursuit of transcendent principles.
What creates a flourishing order is the obedience to basic principles through tolerance and acceptance of each other, agreeing on the necessary minimum contribution of every citizen to the national cultural creed.
What does this mean? In Israel, every citizen, when they reach majority age, commits to two years of service in the military. This includes both young men and women. Israel is a diverse culture. As a country, they are as polarized as the United States. They have had five national elections in four years. Until recently, as a parliamentary system, they were unable to elect a large enough majority to form a government. There are Orthodox Jews. There are secular Jews. There are conservative and liberal citizens. None are dominant. Yet all are proud to serve their two years. What is their creed that welds their bond to make them one in purpose? They all believe they have the right to exist as a Jewish state.
This is not based solely on the sacrifices of those who preceded them, even though their ancestors are acknowledged. The creed and purpose are based on a transcendent principle they have a right as Jews to exist in a self-governing state for the determination of their own destiny and the future of their families.
In America, leaders speak of liberty, freedom, and individual rights for every citizen. Yet their pronouncements are silent as to the responsibility of citizens to contribute to the infrastructure of government in its dictate to facilitate democracy.
One of the great overlooked tragedies of the midterm elections is that 52% of eligible adults did not vote. It’s as if some Americans live their lives from day-to-day without expectation for the future or the next generation’s opportunity. By refusing to participate in the great experiment of democracy, they are yielding the outcome of their children’s right to the pursuit of happiness to forces in politics that have no respect for their undeclared intentions, no matter how well-intended. Totalitarianism constantly challenges the naïve heedless.
There are efforts to get people out to vote. Teachers in school conduct mock elections. Celebrities deliver public announcements encouraging people to vote. Candidates running for office herald the virtue that one vote can make a difference. Nothing seems to motivate the electorate. Responsible citizens take the responsibility to vote seriously. Others take government policy for granted. As a nation, we are comfortable, prosperous, and know more freedom than any other country on the planet. The countries with the highest voter turnout are those that have known past oppressive governments. Their citizens know first-hand the results of passivity and lack of defense for freedom. This lackadaisicalness is what empowers political parties through voter manipulation. If the citizens would just take the power granted to them in the Constitution, political parties would become subservient rather than dictatorial, treating citizens as subjects of their dogma.
In a recent national survey commissioned by AmericasOne, the American public clearly stated that the safe harbor into which they have retreated is the authority of their own nuclear family. They ventilate issues around family gatherings of blended generations. They are coming to common sense conclusions that have represented the essence of American values since its founding in 1776. The most astounding number that you never hear on CNN is that 86% of the American public are extremely proud, very proud, or somewhat proud to be an American. And, 69% are more likely to support a candidate who declares he or she will defend American values against the rest of the world rather than capitulate to the values of a one world government. Why? Because Americans believe that freedom, and the right for a family to govern its own moral values, as authorities, have the right to exist.
This is the heart of America!
Politicians and political leaders are totally detached, indifferent, and oblivious to what the American people truly want from their government. Perhaps if government leaders were more in tune with the true wisdom of the American citizen, and respected the authority of the nuclear American family, more people would vote, and therefore respond to the issues presented at the ballot box.
Former President Trump is expected to announce soon his candidacy for President in 2024. Immediately, the presidential cycle will begin with debate on partisan issues. Little discussion will reference the “we” in national creed and purpose.
Senator Rick Scott from Florida, the immediate past Chairman of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, is challenging Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky for the top Republican Senate leadership post.
Republicans are projected to gain control of the House of Representatives by a very slim margin. Gridlock is assured in Congress for the next two years. Special interests will align behind partisan forces in a puerile effort not to build consensus, but to divide and conquer by limiting options to the majority.
Americans must realize that those who hold selfish interest above the common good of the national character will never cease and desist from ignoring the national creed that binds us in our social fabric.
Americans must now, more than ever, be vigilant in spirit to ensure that our leaders do not ignore… the heart of America.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?