SebastianJer

In Search of Americanism

Posted by: sebastianjer, 12:51 GMT le 07 mai 2012

In Search of Americanism

By Ned Ryun

Republicanism has proved insufficient as a guidepost for American values.

Time and again the progressive Left succeeds in forcing people to play by its rules. We see it in the halls of Congress, in statehouses, and even in school boards, as principled politicians run and hide to escape being labeled with one of the Left’s “ists” or “isms.” By balkanizing the electorate with labels that obscure the basic unifying principles of our Republic, progressives seek to divide and conquer. And they’re winning.

There’s communism, socialism, fascism, authoritarianism, and collectivism, all of which are kissing cousins that originate from a basic belief in the centrality of the state to people’s lives. Under these “isms,” man exists for the state; all of them are therefore antithetical to a country founded on the fundamental belief that government exists for the people. The Left uses other “isms” to drive its agenda through intimidation (like false charges of racism) or misinformation (environmentalism). And then, of course, there’s relativism, secularism, multiculturalism, liberalism, and, yes, Progressivism.

In all the “ism” talk, we lose the most important one, and arguably the only one that really matters: Americanism. For years, academics, philosophers, and political scientists on both ends of the spectrum have argued about how to define Americanism. Progressives believe that Americanism—very loosely understood—is everything we are as a nation. Others on the Left argue that establishing a concrete definition of Americanism is to be jingoistic or insensitive to the larger world.

Further, Americanism has been polluted by other “isms,” and by ideas brought from European nations that don’t seek to empower individuals, as we do. Everything from the welfare state to secular relativism has infiltrated America with help from progressives who stopped believing in the supremacy of Americanism. We feel the sting of their faithlessness every day as we watch our economy weaken, our government expand, our businesses struggle, our taxes shoot higher, and our cultural values become unrecognizable.

The American dream has long been seen in the pillars of our communities, like service organizations, business associations, and religious groups, which today are crumbling along with our bridges, dams, and tunnels. At many local Rotary Club luncheons, for instance, a large percentage of active members have long ago retired or closed their businesses. Younger generations either don’t see the value in such institutions or can no longer afford to take time to participate in their good work. This provides openings for progressives and pro-government forces to tighten their grip on our nation’s communities. Apathy spells the end of the America we love, and, quite frankly, crushes the essence of the American spirit.

IT'S TIME TO FIGHT for the survival of Americanism, and to do that we must understand its tenets. Americanism isn’t all things to all people, nor is it jingoistic. You don’t have to live in America to believe in Americanism; anyone on any corner of the earth can believe in the values that have made us the greatest nation the world has ever seen.

Americanism is freedom founded on the power of the individual, and his ability to achieve without undue government interference. It’s the idea that the state exists to serve man, to protect God-given rights, and to allow the greatest amount of political freedom within the bounds of ordered liberty. It’s the idea that people truly own their property and are not merely renting it, and that they are free to use their talents, initiative, and “can do” spirit to make the lives they dream for themselves a reality.

It is indisputable that the Left has long had better grassroots organization and has pursued its damaging statist agenda relentlessly. After all, if you believe government should be all things to all people, then you’re going to encourage its expansion for your own benefit. Americans need to realize that we are up against a group of agitators that have very well-funded—and consequently very large—platforms for driving political debate: the media, Hollywood, public employee unions, and progressive groups backed by Leftist billionaires.

Meanwhile, the decline of the Republican establishment from coast to coast has been a long-coming inevitability, as officials give lip service to supporters, then vote for more spending, more debt, more borrowing, and higher taxes. Discouraged, aging, and dwindling committee members often lack the energy to run vibrant grassroots campaigns at the local level. When Americans who share our conservative values are content to work hard for an election cycle, then pat themselves on the back and leave the fight to the Washington think tanks, GOP establishment, and television talking heads, they have in effect surrendered to the advancing Left. The Left plays smash-mouth football, while the perceived conservative movement plays tiddlywinks on the sidelines, more concerned with form and appearance than substance.

WHAT'S REQUIRED IS a cultural shift among conservatives. Republicanism has proved insufficient as a guidepost for American values, as is patently obvious from the lack of political courage exhibited by supposedly conservative politicians. Many to this day participate in the expansion of government at a level that threatens our future. We must view Republicanism as little more than an institutional or legal vehicle through which to participate in the political process. Our real platform must be Americanism.

All who appreciate Americanism have to celebrate and defend it in their daily lives. America needs everyday citizens to engage continuously on local, state, and national issues. It can be as simple as talking to your children, colleagues, friends, and neighbors around your dining room table about America, its greatness and its challenges, or as easy as joining existing political or civic organizations and being unafraid to let people know where you stand on protecting America.

Then Americans must reengage in the political process by getting involved in their local committees and campaigns. That’s when real people take back control from the establishment forces and the Ruling Class that have blurred the lines between the parties and brought Americanism to the brink of the abyss.

The magnificent story of America is only over if we choose to let it be. If we’re willing to put our hands to the plow and relentlessly pursue Americanism—and truly fight for it—this nation can be renewed and climb to even greater heights of freedom and prosperity in the 21st century.

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TODAY'S QUOTE
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John E Miller

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1. latitude25 14:15 GMT le 07 mai 2012
.......too funny! Busted: Iran's Jarring Photoshopped Missile Test Image The Atlantic Wire has caught Iran's semi-official Mehrs News Agency (MNA) using another digitally-altered image to depict its missile program. Only this time, the image is even more egregiously Photoshopped. it appears the Photoshopped image MNA picked includes a photo of loathed Star Wars prequel character Jar Jar Binks. Take a closer look: Link Member Since: 24 août 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 3654

2. latitude25 14:16 GMT le 07 mai 2012
Member Since: 24 août 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 3654

3. latitude25 14:16 GMT le 07 mai 2012
Member Since: 24 août 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 3654

4. latitude25 17:01 GMT le 07 mai 2012
Our cultured cousins, the Europeans — role models for higher Dems — hate math. So last weekend they voted against it. Now France is committed to a government that promises to reduce debt by creating more of it Link Member Since: 24 août 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 3654

5. spathy 22:05 GMT le 07 mai 2012
Hi Jer. As I am reading your post. The question came up how do you define Americanism. Before I finish reading I wanted to jump in and state that I would define it as The Worlds best Constitution is our best Americanism. And it alone and what we do with that gift should define the most important part of our Americanismablity struggle :O) Member Since: 8 juin 2008 Posts: 65 Comments: 10474

6. spathy 22:11 GMT le 07 mai 2012
WHAT'S REQUIRED IS a cultural shift among conservatives. Republicanism has proved insufficient as a guidepost for American values, as is patently obvious from the lack of political courage exhibited by supposedly conservative politicians. Many to this day participate in the expansion of government at a level that threatens our future. We must view Republicanism as little more than an institutional or legal vehicle through which to participate in the political process. Our real platform must be Americanism. All who appreciate Americanism have to celebrate and defend it in their daily lives. America needs everyday citizens to engage continuously on local, state, and national issues. It can be as simple as talking to your children, colleagues, friends, and neighbors around your dining room table about America, its greatness and its challenges, or as easy as joining existing political or civic organizations and being unafraid to let people know where you stand on protecting America. Then Americans must reengage in the political process by getting involved in their local committees and campaigns. That’s when real people take back control from the establishment forces and the Ruling Class that have blurred the lines between the parties and brought Americanism to the brink of the abyss. The magnificent story of America is only over if we choose to let it be. If we’re willing to put our hands to the plow and relentlessly pursue Americanism—and truly fight for it—this nation can be renewed and climb to even greater heights of freedom and prosperity in the 21st century. Member Since: 8 juin 2008 Posts: 65 Comments: 10474

7. theshepherd 23:16 GMT le 07 mai 2012
@ 5&6 That pretty much boils it down in a few words spathymon. Good job. Member Since: 11 septembre 2008 Posts: 9 Comments: 8191

8. CosmicEvents 23:49 GMT le 07 mai 2012
Americanism.....sounds kinda' protectionist and isolationist. But it's a nice idea, and I have to admit I would have been all for it 120 years ago...railing against unfettered immigration and proposing a slower pace...there really are just so many people that can be productive American citizens...after a point unless you slow down immigration you're going to have a growing dependant class no matter who's in power, be it a thug, a Republican, or an Americanist. And what's done is done. We can't ship back the dependant descendents already here. . Even nowadays I like the Americanism this author describes though. I'm all for citizens joining civic and political organizations. Maybe this will come about more than it is now someday. We can hope. So, what have we all done beyond talking around the dinner table and being keyboard cowboys? Let's start a list of all the civic and political organizations we all belong to. I'll start with none for me, in all honesty. I have a feeling Jer can add to a list but I'm not so sure beyond that. I hope we get a nice long list but if we don't what does that tell you? Member Since: 3 août 2005 Posts: 10 Comments: 5093

9. latitude25 00:19 GMT le 08 mai 2012
TULSA, Oklahoma - Tulsa Police have confirmed to News On 6 that an elderly man, who with his wife was brutally beaten by intruders to his home in March, has died. Bob Strait, 90, was critically injured in the March 13 assault, which took place in the 3300 block of East Virgin Street. The couple were married 65 years before Nancy Strait, 85, died at a Tulsa hospital from wounds sustained in the beating. 3/14/2012 Related Story: Elderly Couple Found Badly Beaten In North Tulsa Home Tulsa Police have named 20-year-old Tyrone Woodfork the principal suspect in the case. He was booked into the Tulsa County Jail and faces several charges, including first-degree murder for the death of Nancy Strait. Police said in addition to being beaten, Nancy Strait had been sexually assaulted, and Bob Strait had wounds to his face from a BB gun. TPD said the body of Bob Strait has been transferred to the medical examiner, who will determine an official cause of death. If it is determined his injuries played a part in his death, more charges could be added to Woodfork. Member Since: 24 août 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 3654

10. latitude25 00:20 GMT le 08 mai 2012
Member Since: 24 août 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 3654

11. spathy 00:58 GMT le 08 mai 2012
@8. CosmicE Every sentence after your first is palatable and for the most part fine. But your first sentence is objectionable. Ridicule Mexicos stance on illegal immigration. Ridicule Australias stance on illegal immigration etc... Then tell me how we are so awful and cruel. When the heck has patriotism become taboo? Pride objectionable? Common sense controversial? Listen to this and tell me what Nation in its correct state of balance would put up with this. Mexico? Iran? Egypt? China? ???????? Just whom? Link Can you afford this? Its your money! When does this and many other obvious problems even start to end? Ryan Budget ... Controversial. Upholding standing immigration laws Controversial. Reducing INCREASES in Spending by 1% When increases in spending have been near ten fold!controversially Draconian? Really????? Requiring a frikin ID to Vote. Outlandish and racist! Really? Really????? Just how small of a return to normal ways of living is too controversial to consider? No return? Member Since: 8 juin 2008 Posts: 65 Comments: 10474

12. spathy 01:01 GMT le 08 mai 2012
Give me a break! Any cut in spending is catastrophic. Any attempt by a State to uphold Federal law is controversial. What has become of common sense? Member Since: 8 juin 2008 Posts: 65 Comments: 10474

13. Ossqss 01:13 GMT le 08 mai 2012
http://obamaisntworking.com/ Member Since: 12 juin 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 8154

14. Ossqss 01:41 GMT le 08 mai 2012
Ya might want to pay attention to some of this also..... Dig into it and you will find some eye opening info via the internet on the Treaty process and commitments discussed. Yep, via CO2 measures taken upon the shared/use benefit of our oceans. Kinda got LOST through the back door. http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/ 46501 What the heck is next. Are they going to take music away from us? VOTE! Member Since: 12 juin 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 8154

15. sebastianjer 02:02 GMT le 08 mai 2012
Re 5 I agree Spathy. Americanism has nothing to do with ethneticity or culture, in this sense we are a uniquely diverse nation and society unlike any other in the world. What makes us Americans is our form of government, olain and simple. Re 8 I would say that the Tea Party Movement is not only a civic organization, it basically defines Americanism which has little to do with patriotism and is mostly about maintaining the rule of law, which is the highest form of civic duty. Member Since: 26 août 2005 Posts: 1030 Comments: 11197

16. CosmicEvents 03:14 GMT le 08 mai 2012
Jer...I'd definitely consider the Tea Party a political organization. And while there's times I disagree, sometimes vehemently, I respect your passion but I'm not sure if the civic function is as pure as you'd like it to be. To tie Spathy's thought into this, what's the Tea Party's stance on voter ID's? I'll give you my thought. That is that it makes all the common sense in the world, but it's not constitutional on Federal voting rights anyway. I suppose you could have state rights supercede, but not on national elections. I don't think anybody wants to deny a valid citizen the right to vote for POTUS because they face in effect a poll tax. It's a political thing in that it favors the Dems, who have more low-income voters. It's an edge, and the Republicans exploit there edges as well, and their opinion would be 100% different if the ID thing favored them, as would the Dems if it didn't. Fraud or fraud prevention is a 2 way street....just in my lifetime I've seen the 1960 election turned around by the Dems I would consider the true thugs, and the 2000 election turned by a different type of thuggery. . And yes...I understand about the electoral college being the real vote. I don't think it was intended to over-turn the public vote. Member Since: 3 août 2005 Posts: 10 Comments: 5093

17. sebastianjer 04:05 GMT le 08 mai 2012
Re 16 States determine their voting rules as long as they do not violate individual rights, they are free to do as they please the Feds have no say in it. Do you go to the Federal Building for your voter registration? SCOTUS has ruled over and over again that states may require Photo ID for elections. You seem to think that the federal govt supersedes states rights, they do not either constitutionally or as a matter of precedent. There is only one Federal election and that is for Pres and VP which are also handled by state election officials not federal. Only if a Federal case can be made that someones civil rights are or will be violated does the Federal Govt. have any say in elections at all Please click this link and you will see that many states have voter ID laws and many have photo ID laws. It is so far removed from being a poll tax as to state it as such is pathetic. Thirty states presently have laws in place that will require all voters to show ID at the polls this November. That number could rise; a total of thirty-two states have passed voter ID laws. I have never been a Republican and I do have common sense and people who argue against voter ID are either in favor of fraudulent elections or totally without common sense if that applies to you so be it. I was here in 2000 and the only thuggery was the Democrats who attempted to hijack the election through the most blatant of shenanigans. All studies and recounts done by all parties have shown that Bush won Florida. This silly ongoing mantra that Bush somehow stole the election is the most childish of things that leftist have used for years to divide this nation and frankly I'm sick of it and those that use it as a wedge to hurt this nation. From that right wing publication the New York Times: Study of Disputed Florida Ballots Finds Justices Did Not Cast the Deciding Vote By FORD FESSENDEN and JOHN M. BRODER George W. Bush would have won even if the Supreme Court had allowed the statewide manual recount that the Florida court had ordered to go forward. ....For example, if Florida's 67 counties had carried out the hand recount of disputed ballots ordered by the Florida court on Dec. 8, applying the standards that election officials said they would have used, Mr. Bush would have emerged the victor by 493 votes.... Member Since: 26 août 2005 Posts: 1030 Comments: 11197

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