The Foundations of the American Republic
Many of the ideas below came from an article I read but sadly lost. Though I may not lay claim to everything below, it is never-the-less, full of important things needed to be said! Enjoy.
The Foundations of the American Republic
10 Foundational Principles held by the Founding Fathers and most colonists at the time of the Revolution, created a free, prosperous and just nation unlike any other. Those Foundational Principles are:
Liberty – that all men are created free by their Creator and have the right to choose their own destiny.
Equality – that all men are equal, no one is superior or more worthy of life or privilege simply by birthright or race (though not all are necessarily equal in their abilities).
Natural rights – that all men everywhere have the same rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These are not new rights or ideas, they are part of the human condition.
The consent of the governed – that government can only happen when those that are to be governed consent. Anything less is tyranny and intolerable.
Religious freedom – the right to worship or not worship God as dictated by the conscience of the individual. No one can compel another to worship in any way contrary to his or her conscience. It was also commonly understood by all that religious beliefs would certainly influence individuals as they participate in government (they were counting on it to help curtail the dangers of power!), but the government must not seek to influence religious beliefs in any way unless there is some great danger to the majority if they do not do so. This was one of the core reasons many initial settlers came to these shores for in the first place.
Private Property – the right to own, sell and use private property is inviolate not only to a capitalistic society but to a nation of freedom and liberty. No one can rightfully compel another to sell or dispose of his own property. The roots of this concept extend all the way back to ancient Israel.
The Rule of Law – an established and written body of law, approved by common consent of the majority is to govern the affairs of the nation not the opinions of unelected men nor the momentary whims of the electorate.
Limited Constitutionalism – the government is to only act in the areas delineated by the Constitution and should not intrude into any areas not mentioned, nor should the federal government infringe upon the rights and sovereignty of the states or families.
Self-government at home – each home is it's own sovereign unit and must be free to carry out it's affairs w/out undue interference from anyone else. It was understood by all that individuals should strive to practice self-discipline and self-control over their various appetites and freedoms.
Independence in the world – America should not seek to become dependent upon any other nation nor should it surrender any of it's sovereignty while cooperating with other nations.
These core principles have long served as the unchanging standards that guide America in changing times. They define what makes us different from the countries that we all came from. However, these principles came under attack at the start of the twentieth century. So called progressive thinkers sought to re-invent America according to ideals outside of those held by our Founding Fathers (i.e. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton and Madison etc.). While claiming to be in the mainstream of American political thought, these "progressives" actually reject the Founders' principles, believing that there are no self-evident truths, not in the Declaration of Independence nor anywhere else, there are only relative values. They declare that there are no permanent rights with which man is endowed by his Creator, but only changing rights held at the indulgence of government (since there is no Creator in their world view).
In this progressive world view, we must be governed by a "living" Constitution that constantly changes and evolves. Progressives believe that what the Founding Fathers thought is increasingly irrelevant as time moves on. This “progressive” view, imported from German and other European philosophers, shaped American politics and the rise of big government throughout the 20th century. And it still is the dominant view of the media, intellectual elites and critical portions of the leadership in both political parties.
Make no mistake, Progressives openly declare that they mean to fundamentally transform America with a new form of government that will engineer a "better" society by assuring equal outcomes (or rewards). They would redistribute wealth through a distant, patronizing welfare state that regulates more and more of the economy, politics and society. President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal and President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society were first steps toward instituting this progressive platform. President Obama firmly intends to push even farther still towards this “new America.”
However, we don't need to remake America, or discover new and untested principles. We need a new American revolution. Not an overthrow of the government, or a great social upheaval, but a great renewal of the true roots of American greatness and a radical reapplication of America's core principles to the great questions of our day.
Private Property is still the necessary foundation of free markets and widespread prosperity. The rule of law still means everyone--especially judges--must act within the confines of constitutional government. Self-government requires a radical decentralization of government. It requires a vast expansion of the authority of family, community, schools, churches and the marketplace. Independence means a commitment to national sovereignty and defense. It means renewed confidence in upholding our principles in the world.
These core principles can be the source of a renewed and unified American political landscape, one that reminds us that morality and self-reliance are essential to limited government, reminds us that unlimited government threatens moral self-government, and reminds us that energetic but responsible government is the key to safety at home and prominence in the world.
In a world of moral confusion, of an arbitrary and ever growing government bureaucracy, these American founding principals are our best access to permanent truths and common sense. It's our best ground from which to launch a radical questioning of the whole progressive project.
We must rediscover America's principles as a people, teach them in our schools and give voice to them in our politics and public square. We must recover a popular understanding of constitutional government, and develop leaders who will revere and abide by the principals (as well as the letter) of the Constitution.
Our purpose must be to conserve the principles of liberty (true liberty and not some progressive redefinition of liberty) and make them the central pillar of our political activities once again. They must become again, as Jefferson said, "an expression of the American mind."
posted by Ericosborneo | 3:38 PM
|
0 comments
