Countdown to Independence Day; #9 Return America’s exceptionalism to the schools

Over the next several days leading up to Independence Day I will be posting the 10 steps that must be taken to preserve our great nation and the principles it was established on.  Each day will cover one of the steps as they appear in my book Liberty Inherited.  It is my hope that, in some small way, I can get Americans to start thinking of what they are on the verge of throwing away.  Today's posting covers step number #9.  I recommend reading the previous posts for step #1 through 8.  Please note that any additional comments that I add to the original text will be in italics.

9. Return America’s exceptionalism to the schools

As exposed, America’s exceptionalism has been slowly removed from our schools. Although most Americans sense that there is something special about our country, very few know what makes it so. This is because they were never taught it.  It is truly the history lesson that all Americans should have had but never received. Instead of educating our students on European political philosophies we need to be teaching first and foremost the philosophy that was at the heart of this country until the progressive movement began its campaign to erase it. Americans of all ages need to have well-founded pride in their country but instead our children are being educated to loathe it. By focusing on America’s imperfections, rather than comparing it to its contemporaries, American children are receiving a biased and unjustified view of the nation and its history. It is time that our children are given a more realistic and balanced view of America and her role in the world.  This is not indoctrination for it is based on historical fact, which makes it education.

As I have always stated, I will put America (and for that matter the British Empire) up against any of its contemporaries.  What I will not do is put it up against some ideal of perfection.  Yet, by focusing on what America has done wrong, this is exactly what many schools across the country do.  They focus on America's history of slavery or the oppression of the Native-Americans.  It is true that both of these events (as well as others) are black spots on America's legacy.  But it must be remembered that all societies are comprised of people...imperfect people.  Therefore, any society that has any history at all will have black marks on its record.  As I explained in my book, many bad and horrible actions were done by and in the name of the British Empire.  By today's standards it was barbaric, racists, and oppressive.  But compared to its contemporaries it was very enlightened and civilized.  This is the same for the United States.  While not perfect, it has been the best system man has ever devised.  By removing the chains of bondage it has allowed man to use his creativity and intelligence to their full potential.  And, overall, the world has benefited from its example.  

What many fail to recognize is that before the United States there was no such thing as human rights.  In fact, the Human Rights many take for granted originated with the rights of Englishmen that the original patriots fought for.  This is the lesson schools need to be teaching.  Not only is it accurate but it is also more realistic since it does not compare America to some impossible standard of perfection.  

Countdown to Independence Day: #8 Understand America's Classical Liberal philosophy

Over the next several days leading up to Independence Day I will be posting the 10 steps that must be taken to preserve our great nation and the principles it was established on.  Each day will cover one of the steps as they appear in my book Liberty Inherited.  It is my hope that, in some small way, I can get Americans to start thinking of what they are on the verge of throwing away.  Today's posting covers step number #8.  I recommend reading the previous posts for step #1 through 7.  Please note that any additional comments that I add to the original text will be in italics.

8. Understand America’s classical liberal philosophy

As mentioned previously, classical liberalism was the basic philosophy of this country until the turn of the 20th century when progressivism started to pervert the term “liberal” for its own agenda. It is essential that every American understand what true classical liberalism is and why it was so important in the development of the United States of America. The truth is that classical liberalism has been completely removed from modern America’s political discourse. Most people have never heard of it and are unfamiliar with how it led to America’s exceptionalism. As a result of this ignorance and unfamiliarity, most Americans  continue to allow themselves to have to choose between faux liberalism or conservatism, neither one of which truly fits the American character.

This is a topic that I discuss throughout Liberty Inherited and, as I explain in the introduction to these posts, the above is copied directly from the book.  Thus, being taken out of context, I feel it helpful to explain its meaning.   

It is clear from its founding documents that America is based on a philosophy and principles that evolved in England.  That philosophy is called Classical Liberalism and I believe it to be the apex of the enlightenment that started with the Renaissance.  Lacking an aristocracy, the United States was able to take this philosophy and its principles of limited government, individual rights, private property, and free-market economics to a level not possible in 18th century Britain.  

It may come as a surprise to many Americans that Classical Liberalism not only guided the founding of this incredible nation, but was the the nation's basic political philosophy up to the late 1800s/early 1900s.  Since then it has slowly been erased from America's political conscientiousness to the point that most Americans are completely ignorant of it and its significance for the country.  But I believe that, at heart, the majority of Americans are still Classical Liberals.  After all, it is in their political genes and remains part of America's psyche.  This is why so many are not comfortable with what both political parties have been doing over the last 100 years.

This is what the Progressives understood when, after years of failed policies, the Progressive title became unpopular and they rebranded themselves as 'Liberals.'  But, as I explain in the book, their policies had and still have nothing to do with the principles of Classical Liberalism.  In fact, they envision the opposite.  They are, in reality, wolves in sheep's clothing.  That is why I call their version of  Liberalism 'FAUX LIBERALISM.'  It is nothing but a fraud....a very dangerous fraud.

Now, 236 years after the Declaration of Independence, America is on the verge of losing its political identity, its political soul.  I strongly believe that only by reconnecting to our political roots can this country be saved and that is why I wrote "Liberty Inherited: The untold story of America's exceptionalism."  It is my attempt to play my part in saving this great, and ,yes, exceptional country.

Countdown to Independence: #7 Continue to educate yourself

Over the next several days leading up to Independence Day I will be posting the 10 steps that must be taken to preserve our great nation and the principles it was established on.  Each day will cover one of the steps as they appear in my book Liberty Inherited.  It is my hope that, in some small way, I can get Americans to start thinking of what they are on the verge of throwing away.  Today's posting covers step number #7.  I recommend reading the previous posts for step #1 through 6.  Please note that any additional comments that I add to the original text will be in italics.

 

7. Continue to educate yourself

Remember that ignorance and neglect are one of the causes of the rotting that is afflicting the roots of the Liberty Tree. As James Madison wrote in a letter he penned in 1822, “What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonable, than that of Liberty and Learning, each leaning on the other for their mutual & surest support?” This is what this book attempts to achieve. It was designed to be an introductory course to a part of history that many have been deprived of. Its purpose was to provide an informative and educational book that is easy to read. It is by no means an exhaustive piece of work. Therefore, I urge you not to take everything you read within these pages at face value. Instead I ask you to start your own journey of discovery. In doing so, I believe you will discover that the arguments I put forth within these pages are true and accurate. 

With that said, the biggest fear people have with studying history is trusting the accuracy of the facts they are reviewing. To this I reply, “If you read one book on a topic you get one opinion, the author’s. But if you read four books on the same topic you get five opinions - those of the four authors and then your own. Once your opinion is established, you will be able to discern what rings true and what rings false.”  This is the reason why it is not enough to rely on the history you were taught in school, even if you were one of the few who paid attention.  In many cases it is nothing but the point of view of the teacher and, as Daniel Hannan told me, “When history is taught, it is taught badly.” So go out and educate yourself!

Countdown to Independence Day: #6 Respect individual sovereignty

Over the next several days leading up to Independence Day I will be posting the 10 steps that must be taken to preserve our great nation and the principles it was established on.  Each day will cover one of the steps as they appear in my book Liberty Inherited.  It is my hope that, in some small way, I can get Americans to start thinking of what they are on the verge of throwing away.  Today's posting covers step number #6.  I recommend reading the previous posts for step #1 through 5.  Please note that any additional comments that I add to the original text will be in italics.
 

6. Respect individual sovereignty

In his book The 5000 Year Leap Skousen explains that respect for individual rights has two parts. The first is that an individual receives those rights and the second is that other individuals are obligated not to trample on the rights of others.  It is one thing to complain that the government is trampling on your individual rights and freedoms but we need to recognize that we as individuals can sometimes step on the rights of other individuals. Therefore, I recommend that you practice the philosophy of share but respect. In other words, feel free to share your opinions and your views with others but be respectful of their views and opinions. If we believe in the freedom of speech then we must allow those who have opposing opinions the same freedom. If we believe in freedom of religion then we must allow those who practice different religions the same freedom. If we believe in private property we must allow others to enjoy their private property. Whatever we demand for ourselves we must allow for others. 

Unfortunately too many of us remember the first part but forget the second. Where I live I have seen Christian churches that demand the freedom of religion for themselves while simultaneously attempting to stop the establishment of a mosque in their area. Likewise, progressives who demand the freedom of speech and expression often fall short on tolerance when that same freedom of speech and expression is extended to views they disagree with. Individuals who claim to support private property are sometimes the first ones to tell someone else what to do with their property. In my opinion, the biggest threat to private property is not imminent domain but the self-appointed busybodies who go around telling other people what to do with their property. Yes, these actions may be done with good intentions but the more that we accept them the more we allow our freedoms to be eroded. As John Stuart Mills put it:

The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it. Each is the proper guardian of his own health, whether bodily, or mental or spiritual. Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to themselves, than by compelling each to live as seems good to the rest.

So if we want our rights as individuals to be respected then we must also respect the rights of other individuals.

Since the writing of this part of the book several disturbing events has transpired.  One of the most shocking was the recent assault on Christians by Muslims in Dearborn, Michigan.  The fact that the police, whose first priority should be the preservation of one's rights, gave into the unprovoked aggression being committed by the Muslims makes the whole episode even more disturbing.  At one point a young Iraqi man angrily preached about the freedom of religion while, ironically, supporting the suppression of a religion that he does not agree with.  This is the prime reason I came up with point number six.  If we only demand rights for ourselves while using government to suppress the rights of those we disagree with, then we are as guilty of tyranny as the police officials who, in Dearborn, turned a blind eye to the violation of a fundamental American right.  


Although guilty of denying the Christians their freedom of speech I will give the Dearborn police the benefit of the doubt and accept that they erred on the side of safety,  But I cannot emphasis strongly enough how essential the principle of respecting individual sovereignty is.  It needs to be preserved at all cost and any attempt to suppress it should be met with the full force of the law. 

Above I mention that I am in disagreement with the automatic anti-Muslim response some have to the establishing of a Mosque in their community.  I also respect the right of the Arabs/Muslims to have a fair.  But they must show the same tolerance to those they disagree with.  To do otherwise crosses that line and any individual that does so needs to be prosecuted.   

As I state in the Liberty Inherited (and restate in Step 2 of this series) it is not race, religion, or even country of origin that makes someone an American.  It is the belief in certain core values and the value at the core of America's exceptionalism is respecting the rights of others.  

Anyone doing otherwise, regardless of where they were born or what papers they have, is, in my estimation, being un-American. 

Countdown to Independence Day: #5 Be proud of being American

Over the next several days leading up to Independence Day I will be posting the 10 steps that must be taken to preserve our great nation and the principles it was established on.  Each day will cover one of the steps as they appear in my book Liberty Inherited.  It is my hope that, in some small way, I can get Americans to start thinking of what they are on the verge of throwing away.  Today's posting covers step number #5.  I recommend reading the previous posts for step #1 through 4.  Please note that any additional comments that I add to the original text will be in italics.
 

5. Be proud of being an American

At times it may feel awkward to display how proud we are to be Americans. I believe this to be for two reasons. The first is that we are often kept ignorant of the greatness of our country and its people. More often than not we are taught to be ashamed of what America has done wrong rather than celebrate what it has done right. But we need to recognize that this version of our history is incomplete at best and fraudulent at worst. I believe this is done as a step to internationalism.  Proponents of that philosophy know that they must destroy our sense of national pride before they can get us to give up our national identity. The second reason is that, for many Americans, pride is seen as a form of conceit. That would hold true for false pride but there is nothing wrong with being proud of your accomplishment or those of your country as long as that pride does not turn into arrogance. So I urge each of you to hold your head up and proudly proclaim that you are an American. America and the patriots who have sacrificed so much to make United States exceptional deserve no less.

In the book I warn against confusing arrogance with pride.  So when I encourage Americans to be proud, I am not encouraging them to disparage others from being proud of their nation.  It needs to be remembered that pride is not a competition.  Every nation and culture has something to be proud of and I love experiencing the pride that others have in their own nation and the achievements of that nation.  (For example, today is Canada Day and I am thrilled seeing our northern neighbors waving the Maple Leaf. The same goes for the Queen's Jubilee in the UK.  It was very heart-warming watching Britons showing of the Union Jack)  It is when we start trying to compete on whose pride is more justified that our pride turns to arrogance.  (Real pride never need justification.  It always speaks for itself). People rightly deserve to be proud of who they are and we as Americans need to accept that right for ourselves and respect it for others.  

Countdown to Independence Day: #4 Understand what America means to people around the world

Over the next several days leading up to Independence Day I will be posting the 10 steps that must be taken to preserve our great nation and the principles it was established on.  Each day will cover one of the steps as they appear in my book Liberty Inherited.  It is my hope that, in some small way, I can get Americans to start thinking of what they are on the verge of throwing away.  Today's posting covers step number #4.  I recommend reading the previous posts for step #1 through 3.  Please note that any additional comments that I add to the original text will be in italics.

4. Understand what America means to people around the world

If you were to pay much attention to the mass media or believe the anti-American rhetoric of so-called experts you may think that America is no longer admired in the world. This may be true for the elites and those who follow them but for the majority of people – the silent majority – America is still a special place. Just the amount of people that want to come to this country is evidence of this being true. Of even greater significance is the popularity of American culture around the world. The anti-Americans complain about its influence on their culture but the reality is that American culture would not have the influence it has if it was not for the common people embracing it. And the reason they embrace it is because they are trying to capture a little bit of America’s exceptionalism for themselves.

More significantly we need to note how important America is for the oppressed people of the world. It is no coincidence that the first countries to support the United States in its war on Iraq were the Eastern European countries that were recently liberated from the oppressive rule of Soviet communism. This is because for oppressed people the United States has always inspired hope and faith. If anybody can rescue them from their desperate lives it will be the Americans. Who else is there? The Germans? The French? The Chinese? The fact is that there is no other country that can match the United States’ history of liberating oppressed people all over the world. It is these oppressed people who truly recognize that America is indeed exceptional and they know that if America were to stop being that “shining city on the hill” a dark and sinister shadow would cover the globe. But we must believe this ourselves for as Hannan points out, “as long as Americans believe in themselves, others will believe them, too.”

Ever since 1776, oppressed people have attempted to recreate the American Revolution for themselves.  This was the case for the French in 1789, the Russians in 1917, and the Cubans in 1953.  It is also the dream of many who are taking part in the revolutions that are currently spreading throughout the Middle East.  While all those revolutions ended in tyranny (and the current Middle East revolutions appear to heading the same way) it is important to note that there were/are significant segments of those societies that believe in America and what it stands for.  It is for these people that America must stay exceptional, must stay the 'shining light on the hill.' For without the USA and what it symbolizes any hope of freedom that these people have will be forever extinguished. It is these people, and not the American-haters, that we must keep in our hearts and our minds.  

Countdown to Independence Day: #3 English must be the official language of the USA

Over the next several days leading up to Independence Day I will be posting the 10 steps that must be taken to preserve our great nation and the principles it was established on.  Each day will cover one of the steps as they appear in my book Liberty Inherited.  It is my hope that, in some small way, I can get Americans to start thinking of what they are on the verge of throwing away.  Today's posting covers step number #3.  I recommend reading the previous posts for step #1 and 2.  Please note that any additional comments that I add to the original text will be in italics.

3. English must be the language of the United States

I have always thought interesting that Winston Churchill would name one of his greatest works The History of the English-Speaking Peoples. The book could have easily been called "The History of the English Peoples" or even "The History the English Race," which would have been perfectly acceptable when it was written in the 1930s. But Churchill, who was a famed orator and had won a Nobel peace prize for literature, understood the power of words. 

I believe that he chose the term “English-speaking peoples” because he understood that principles, values, and ideas must be communicated for them to have any significance. For Churchill the English language was the media by which English principles have been spread around the world. He understood that this goes beyond skin color and bloodline and directly into the hearts and minds of the recipients. Recent history proves him to be correct as countries such as India, Singapore, and Hong Kong, all of which have retained English as their language, have prospered even though the British no longer govern them.

This does not mean that speaking another language, especially of one’s heritage, should be discouraged. On the contrary it should be encouraged but not at the expense of learning to effectively communicate in the English language. This will not only be beneficial to America but also to the individual. In regards to the Turkish population in Germany Turkish President Abdullah Gul commented, “When one doesn’t speak the language of the country in which one lives it doesn’t serve anyone, neither the person concerned, the country, nor the society.” 

This is especially true in for a country that is based on an idea. By not learning English individuals are limiting their ability to become Americans in their hearts and minds. This can lead to a crisis of identity in which the body is physically in one country while the heart and mind are in another. Interestingly, this identity crisis often afflicts the children of immigrants who have had difficulty adjusting to living in the new country.  As a result as these children grow up they become susceptible to the philosophies of radicalism or extremism. Yes, it would be difficult for some of them and a few of them will never become competent in the language. But for those who do the reward of becoming an American in body and soul will be well worth the struggle.