Governing Ourselves

I have intentionally stayed away from discussing politics in this blog, because we all need a place in which we can contemplate light-hearted topics such as the worst baseball uniforms or unintelligible song lyrics.  This entry will also avoid the topic of politics, but it is impossible to avoid the topic of governing, in light of yesterday's events.  We the people had better begin taking seriously our jobs as the overseers of our elected representatives before the American Dream becomes nothing but a memory.

What is the American Dream?  Simply put, it is the fact that every individual American has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  That is not only the simplest answer, it is the best answer.

Every debate on policy and legislation should center around whether or not that policy or legislation enhances the American Dream.  That means that every debate must be grounded in the philosophy of America and not grounded in who "wins and who loses."  It doesn't matter one whit which "side" wins the debate; it matters completely whether America wins the debate.  Every Congressman must stand on his or her principles, which should include the ability to say, "You're right; I was wrong" as well as, "I don't know."

We can expand the categories of life, liberty, and happiness (as conservatives tend to do) and we can expand, as we have historically done, those in our society who can and should be allowed to participate in the Dream (as liberals tend to do).  If we change the definition itself, however, then logically, it is no longer the American Dream.

I will speak only for myself:  I greatly fear that the definition is being changed right before me.  I fear that the American Dream of individuals free to pursue life, liberty, and happiness, is being subverted and perverted by those who don't trust us as individuals.

Interestingly, a number of the founding fathers were distrustful of "the rabble" though one could argue that "the rabble" and their champions, Sam Adams and Patrick Henry provided the psychic energy--and the men in the ranks--that won our freedom from Great Britain.

Indeed, it was Henry who argued that America must be a nation of laws and not of men (what we in the 21st century might call the "cult of personality") because otherwise, we would endure "the worst of mischiefs" if our leaders were bad men.  (For the Henry's complete remarks click here.)

The fundamental laws of human nature know not the bounds of a political party.  To quote one last time from Patrick Henry:  If you give too little power today, you may give more tomorrow.  But the reverse will not hold.  If you give too much power today, tomorrow will never come.

Comments

[renaissance costume]

I don't know but for me. There is no American dream.. It's not that I have lost hope.. But "American Dream" is just a phrase we are made to believe. Democracy has long died. We just don't know it.

[Austin]

Thanks for commenting! First time, I believe? I understand your despondency regarding the American Dream, but from Ben Franklin to Elvis, it comes true often enough to provide real hope. And we all have to believe something in the same way that we all must eat. Democracy is dead or dying because there has been a concerted effort in this country to kill individualism.