I was at a family event about a week ago and a cousin said this to me: "Don't you think the American Experiment has failed?, we should just give up."
My immediate answer was "No, I think the tree of liberty just needs a little water and fertilizer." The conversation went on for a bit and then moved on to other things without any resolution to our differences on that topic.
I thought about that conversation on the trip home. This cousin had lived out of the country at one point, for his employment. Not too long after his return, he had commented to us that America is definitely the best place to live and that we don't really appreciate the lifestyle and freedom we have here.
Given his experience, I have to wonder about his willingness to throw in the towel. If he thinks the American experiment has failed, where would he rather live? If, as I suspect, he would prefer to live here, then shouldn't he be looking for things that he can do to help to revive the American experiment rather than lamenting it's loss?
Perhaps that's the view that conservatives need to embrace. We need to look at the alternatives to the United States. Then we need to renew our commitment to preserving what we have and making it better. We need to use that view of the alternatives to inspire one another to step up to those duties of citizenship which have been sadly neglected and shamefully disrespected.
"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. "~Luke 17:10
Thursday, July 10, 2008
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9 comments:
Nice post, Mom. I take it your cousin ain't no Patrick Henry. ;-)
I imagine we all have relatives like that. I certainly do. It seems to me, though, that it's a pretty convenient excuse for being less than vigilant. But you know, as passionate as people are about "saving the environment" and whatnot, they can't get excited about saving their country. What good is it to save the environment if you have no country, no freedom? I just don't get that type. (not saying your cousin's one of 'em)
Anyway, I saw your latest comments over at Bad Eagle. Well said!
P.S. Your reading your entry put me in mind of the opening paragraphs of Federalist no. 1.
-Terry
oops!
In the post script I meant to say: "Reading your entry..."
Mr. Morris, you're making me blush!
To have a bit of my writing compared to that of those fine gentlemen is much too kind. I thank you.
This cousin is a very likeable guy and no slouch intellectually, but, let's just say there are a lot of teachers in both my husband's family and my own and leave it at that. I've noticed that those to whom we have given the responsibility of teaching our children tend to be thoroughly liberal.
Mom,
As far as I'm concerned our founding fathers answered, in the affirmative, the question of whether "societies of men can really be governed by reflection and choice, or..." But each succeeding generation is tasked with answering that question for themselves, not for past or future generations. The question has already been answered in the affirmative, as I said. The question now is whether our generation can, or more precisely will do so.
Very interesting. What was your cousins reasoning behind thinking the American experiment had failed? What had caused him to change his mind?
Tom,
I can only speculate that it is his constant exposure to the liberal point of view.
Thank you for stopping by.
"Perhaps that's the view that conservatives need to embrace. We need to look at the alternatives to the United States. Then we need to renew our commitment to preserving what we have and making it better. We need to use that view of the alternatives to inspire one another to step up to those duties of citizenship which have been sadly neglected and shamefully disrespected."
I couldn't agree with this statement more. This is exactly what we need. We (U.S. citizens) have become complacent. We are resting on our laurels. We are riding on the coat tails of what was a once great nation.
We have believed, for far to long, that we are a beacon of light to the world. In the mean time, our light has begun to flicker and fade.
T.L.C, that is all that is required.
Nice to see you here F-Squared. Makes me think I need to post more often.
Post away!
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