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77777777777777
merican Ideals: Founding a "Republic of Virtue"
(12 lectures, 30 minutes/lecture)
Course No. 4855
Taught by Daniel N. Robinson
Philosophy Faculty, Oxford University
Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, Georgetown University
Ph.D., City University of New York
2 DVDs
$199.95
(Std. $199.95)
Add a Transcript for $15.00
6 Audio CDs
$134.95
(Std. $134.95)
Add a Transcript for $15.00
6 Audiotapes
$89.95
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1 Transcript Book
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Transcript Details >
"I have read Thucydides, and have studied and admired the master statesmen of the world—that for solidity and reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, under such a complication of different circumstances, no nation or body of men can stand in preference to the general congress at Philadelphia. I trust it is obvious to your lordships, that all attempts to impose servitude on such men, to establish despotism over such a mighty continental nation—must be vain—must be futile."
—William Pitt, former Prime Minister of Great Britain, in the House of Lords, December 20, 1775
"As the British Constitution is the most subtle organism which has proceeded from the womb and long gestation of progressive history, so the American Constitution is, so far as I can see, the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man."
—William Gladstone, British Prime Minister, writing in the North American Review, 1878
The Gold Standard
The Constitution of the United States remains the "gold standard" as nations proceed to invent themselves, refine themselves, and render themselves fit for the allegiance of the people. For those fortunate to live under a rule of law respectful of the dignity of the person, there is such a feeling of familiarity and naturalness that little attention is paid to the monumental nature of the "invention"—and, therefore, the monumental effort required to preserve it.
As the world’s oldest democracy, the United States stands as the "test case" for those who regard self-government as inherently unstable, inherently self-destructive. Fears were expressed from the first, but so too was unretreating resolve. Writing to his beloved Abigail on July 3, 1776, John Adams offered this sober reflection:
"You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, and that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not."
Ideals
Just which "ideals" were affirmed by the Founders? What lessons of history were closely studied by them? What part did religion take in the entire undertaking and, in light of this, what is the nature of that famous "wall of separation" Jefferson wrote of in his correspondence? How was the institution of slavery understood in relation to the high ideals and aims of the Founders?
This set of a dozen lectures is an invitation to enter this part of the Long Debate; the debate regarding human nature and the conditions right for its flourishing. The lectures are also a tribute to the Founders whose depth of thought, raw courage, persistence, and realism succeeded in moving political philosophy from the schoolhouse to the wider world.
Between the lines of all the lectures there is also a portrait formed of a people striving to preserve and promote lives at once self-determining and consistent with high principles deeply held. Their character was recognized at a great distance.
"This general spirit existing in the American nation… is not new among them; it is, and ever has been their established principle, their confirmed persuasion; it is their nature and their doctrine…. You might destroy their towns, and cut them off from the superfluities… but… they prefer poverty with liberty, to golden chains and sordid affluence….’Tis liberty to liberty engaged, that they will defend themselves, their families and their country. In this great cause they are immovably allied. It is the alliance of God and nature—immutable, eternal, fixed as the firmament of heaven!"
—William Pitt, in the House of Lords, December 20, 1775
The Right People for a Republic
Montesquieu’s widely read Spirit of the Laws described the civic personality that is right for a given form of government. Tyrannies required citizens motivated and guided by fear. The worthy monarchy depends on subjects devoted to honor. A self-governing republic calls for those committed to virtue. But what are the sources of virtue and to what extent were they effective in shaping the character of Colonial America?
Early America was settled by devout Puritan Christians whose successors were attached to the same Christian teachings, now adapted to a New World, rapidly expanding in population and in commerce. It was, however, less the land of "rugged individualism" than of a principled communitarianism focused on the common good. It was precisely this combination of piety and sober deliberation—this immunity to fashionable and abstract philosophies—that preserved it from the excesses that consumed revolutionary France. The humanistic Calvinism that guided so many colonial lives was further enlarged by trust in the common sense and rationality shared by all; a common sense and rationality that would stand as the ultimate arbiter over the claims of authority.
The colonists we discover, were avid readers. In a 1775 speech before Parliament, Edmund Burke pointed out that London booksellers had informed him that they sold more books in the colonies than in all of Great Britain combined. Montesquieu, John Locke’s Treatises on Government, and John Milton on press freedoms—these and scores of works in moral philosophy, history, law, and theology were staples even in the smallest private libraries.
In these carefully crafted dozen lectures, Professor Robinson traces the dominant features of the early American ethos that culminated in declared independence and a constitutional form of government unheralded in political history. The United States of America was, after all, the first nation ever to be created on a date certain by persons whose names we know and on grounds developed through debate and deliberation. As the influential Founder, James Wilson, said during the ratification process,
"The United States exhibit to the world the first instance, as far as we can learn, of a nation, unattacked by external force, unconvulsed by domestick insurrections, assembling voluntarily, deliberating fully, and deciding calmly, concerning that system of government, under which they would wish that they and their posterity should live."
The Founding Documents
Here, then, is an opportunity to trace the manner in which the founding documents of the United States evolved. You examine the early Articles of Confederation as these anticipate the fuller development of fundamental principles during the Constitutional Convention. Notions embodied in earlier colonial laws evolve and are made enduring in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights, for example, asserts that "All men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain rights," including "pursuing happiness." The two lectures on the Constitutional Convention are a highlight of the course. They shed light on the roles specific Founders took in creating the most reasonable plan for ordered liberty ever reduced to writing. The effort was not to create the Garden of Eden, but a nation, populated by persons of diverse interests and needs, abilities and tendencies. The Founders were realists, heeding delegate Pierce Butler's urgings to "follow the example of Solon, who gave the Athenians not the best government he could devise, but the best they would receive."
They succeeded preeminently.
"Should I buy Audio or DVD?"
This course works well in any format. The DVD version includes more than 100 images of people, documents, and events.
7777
Thoughts on American Ideals
The following article is actually a portion of a journal entry written by a student who went on the field trip to Washington, D.C. last June with Patty Huey and Laurie Akehurst. Each student who went on the trip was asked by his or her teacher to keep a daily journal. Since the students were virtually surrounded with history, patriotism, American monuments and discussions on our Christian American heritage, the teachers encouraged the students to share their thoughts on America, what being an American means and the uniqueness of our country. We urged the students to share their deep innermost thoughts rather than simply writing down the happenings of the day. Eddie Hahn's journal entry, we felt, accomplished this goal. Eddie Hahn, who is 15 years old, has been homeschooled since first grade. - Patricia Huey, Teacher Consultant
By: Eddie Hahn, Student
The American dream: life. "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." These ideals make America unique. The ideals of a country are what drive it towards its destiny. Of course, one country's ideals are affected by another country's ideals, such as the Germany-U.S. conflict of ideals in World War II. The ideals of those countries actually determined the outcome of the conflict. God's will determines all, and God has put into place ideals to influence his people so that they can overcome their adversaries.
This is what separates America from any other nation-- her ideals! America is one of the only Christian nations left on earth; from her beginning she has been shaped and guided by Christian ideals and dreams, by Christian hopes and optimism, by Christian desires for unity between brothers and sisters, by Christian faith that binds together in fighting its enemies, by Christian ideas of justice, equality and mercy, and by Christian ideas of striving for significance in life and love for one another.
These ideals are why America has had such culture clashes in its history. America has gone against communism because communism requires unity of purpose between people who have no real connection and do not care about each other; therefore, there is no real unity. This very idea of not caring for one another is what caused the evil of slavery in our country, which America fought against and continues to fight against. Americans realize that slavery violates human rights. Rights are not guaranteed in other countries. In fact, people can continue to live even without them. But without certain rights, life is not life in the true spiritual sense. The American ideal shows that living without certain rights is not a life worth living. Without these rights, we cease to be truly free.
American ideals allow God to provide for and guide them in the search for true freedom. American ideals and freedom are truly unique on earth. I, for one, am proud to be a part of this great nation.
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© Copyright 2003, Family Academy®. All Rights Reserved.
7777
Collapse of American Ideals
February 02, 2005
Roy Smith
The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad
Fareed Zakaria
Book, Usually ships in 2 to 4 weeks
Buy now from Amazon.com
See also:
» Markos Moulitsas Zúniga: Another Darth Nader?
» On William Jefferson And Office Searches
» Borderline Immigration Policy
First amendment goes "too far", say students in survey. Huh? Whatever happened to the notion of free expression, and of protection of dissent? Our schools (and parents!) must not be doing very well at all at the task of educating our young people to be citizens fit for self-government. This survey is more than a little alarming to me, because attitudes like this and apathy among our citizens is the first step to the end of the "American experiment". As President Lincoln once said, no foreign power could ever defeat us; the death of America would come from suicide.
And that leads me neatly to the next headline, Gonzales confirmation will bring Lincoln prophecy to bear (2nd letter). In my experience, the U.S. Constitution, and in particular the Bill of Rights, has been a statement of ideals larger than just nationalism. As the letter writer says, the Bush administration appears to understand the Constitution as a legal rather than a moral document. Odd, for an administration which spends a great deal of energy talking about the moral basis for its policies, particularly foreign policy. I think that historians will remember these years as the time when the torch of leadership in protection of human rights was passed from the United States to the European Union. Interestingly, the EU's counterpart to the U.S. Bill of Rights is presented as a Charter of Fundamental Rights and states in its preamble: "the Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity". This language, and the public policy of the EU, demonstrates a much more universal concept of the applicability of the principles of human rights than the narrow, legalistic idea endorsed by the administration.
Finally, as if it was necessary to emphasize any more how the United States is moving away from the progressive, liberal ideas that dominate the rest of the fully developed world, consider these two articles: GOP taking aim at health insurance paid by employers, and That darned fiscal crisis shreds the safety net. These discuss how the administration is attempting to destroy what little exists of the social safety net in the areas of healthcare, social security, education, and housing assistance. The assault on all aspects of our civil society is breathtaking to behold, and the prospects of major pieces of this assault succeeding are more than a little frightening.
Why this is all happening? I don't profess to know all (or even maybe any) of the answers, but I think that the root of many of our troubles is this: at its heart, the United States has become a fearful nation. Fear and insecurity drives us to lash out at those who are different and to be more selfish and less generous with others, particularly those who are less blessed than ourselves. Fear is responsible for the idea that security is more important than liberty, as expressed in the USA Patriot Act. Fear is responsible for the acceptance of racial and religious profiling as acceptable, normal ways to enforce laws. Insecurity drives people to be more concerned about lowering their taxes than ensuring equality of opportunity or access to healthcare for all. Fear drives citizens of a democracy to endorse wars of aggression instead of the exercise of diplomatic pressure, consistent policies, and unwavering commitment to justice and human rights.
Unfortunately, I don't really have a happy ending for this piece. Everywhere I look I find discouraging signs. I only hope that the unraveling of America's ideals will be stopped before too much more damage to our nation and the world has been done.
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The Collapse of American Ideals
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#1
Eric Olsen
February 2, 2005
03:30 PM
very interesting thoughts and well written - I'm not sure our current foreign policy is based upon fear or a determination to not be fearful -- I'm inclined toward the latter -- but there is no doubt 9/11 struck fear deep into the heart of the nation. Thanks and welcome Roy!
#2
Ayu
URL
February 2, 2005
03:46 PM
Bravo! If everyone thought they way you do, the world would have been a better place :-)
7777
ebruary 28, 2006
CONTRIBUTOR ARCHIVES
American Ideals
A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
by James Ridout
How can the President of the United States and those that blindly support his actions tell the people of the United States that we do not participate in torture? How can those that make such false statements defend them with any sense of morality? To do so is a sin. To do so is to speak falsely. I challenge those of you that can stare so blankly into the camera or boldly make spurious statements to explain the case of Maher Arar.
Mr. Arar is a Canadian citizen who was taken into custody at Kennedy airport in 2002 while returning from a family vacation. As his NAME would suggest he is of Middle Eastern descent. Mr. Arar was then taken to a detention center in Brooklyn. His "truth" was not the truth that this administration and the culture it has allowed to pervade across this land was looking for. They wanted to save America, regardless of the laws that were violated or the American principles that it desecrated. So Mr. Arar was sent off to a rat-infested prison in Syria and subjected to brutal torture techniques for 10 months. It was the United States government that sent Maher Arar to Syria under the auspices of "extraordinary rendition."
Mr. Arar was finally released, because HE WAS INNOCENT!!!! And to add insult to injury, when Mr. Arar tried to sue the United States for his loss and injuries he was denied, because in the eyes of the United States the case would cause harm to our National Security.
Thus when President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice and any others who go before the public and claim that the United States does not participate in torture it is just one more lie, one more attempt to cover up the egregious acts that have taken place under this administration to ignore the very principles on which we were founded.
The horrific attack on September 11th, 2001 did not justify such actions. It is under these very sorts of challenges that our adherence to the ideals and genius of our Founding Fathers should be at our strongest. To be a free people takes courage by both the citizenry and our elected officials. Our elected officials do not have the honor of sitting in Washington DC to simply rubber stamp the ideology of the President, nor are they there as either a Republican or Democrat, they are there as a representative of the people of this Republic for which it stands. I ask them to have the courage of those ideals. Torture is a shameful and UNAMERICAN activity that is the tactic of cowards.
In closing, and on a lesser note, a VA Nurse in Albuquerque, New Mexico has been charged with Sedition simply because she spoke out against the policies of George W. Bush. If this were the 1770's and John Adams was President and the very future of our nation was in question as an infant nation, then, perhaps such an action might be appropriate, but it is not proper in either case. How does the person who levied such a charge remain in the employ of the United States? In any event, I suppose the torture would follow a conviction of Sedition. It is just one more shameful act, and misguided modern ideals of patriotism.
Democracy's Regression (TomPaine)
What those that precipitate such actions misunderstand is that a culture of "my country right or wrong" is not Patriotism, it is "Nationalism." To hold our country liable for the very principles on which it was founded, even if that means speaking out when others are afraid to do so, is an act of Patriotism.
Sincerely,
James Ridout
Albuquerque, New Mexico
A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
777
How Lobbying Destroys American Ideals
george polisner's picture
Submitted by george polisner on Sun, 2006-03-19 09:41.
As I read the story below, and watched the news unfold about Jack Abramoff, with talk of "Sweeping changes with regard to the logistics of lobbying", how many believe with me that the only sweeping that will result will be under the rug? Regardless of political party or side why do we permit lobbyists -or influence peddlers -or underminers of a representative government to exist?
Politicians want to fundamental things, money and votes. They know that money will substantially increase their ability to get votes. And so does business, industry and special interests. We pay the salaries of our representatives. They are supposed to work for us. How many of you reading this are happy with our leadership. How many believe they are representing the interests of our families, neighborhoods, cities, states and country?
The concept of lobbying is largely the root cause of elected officials representing business, industry and special interests instead of "We the People".
the following is from
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=4146
Lobbyists and special interest groups in Washington may be significantly restricted in their future operations following the spectacular Jack Abramoff scandal.
When Congressional lobbyist Jack Abramoff reached a plea deal with federal investigators in January on charges of conspiracy, tax evasion and mail fraud, a collective chill settled over lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Many have close links with the tarnished influence peddler.
It is the biggest lobbying scandal to hit the US capital since 1980, when six members of Congress were caught taking large sums of cash from FBI agents disguised as Arab sheikhs in a sting that became known as “Abscam”.
So most of Washington is holding its breath, waiting for Abramoff to begin naming the names of his co-conspirators in Congress. Meanwhile the rest of the lobbyists on the city’s now infamous K Street, and the special interest groups and businesses they work for, are left to back-peddle and regroup.
There could be sweeping changes to the logistics of lobbying.
Some are calling the scandal “lobbying’s Enron”, but even before Jack Abramoff became a household name in the US, a push for lobby reform had been gaining momentum.
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777
merican Ideals: Founding a "Republic of Virtue"
(12 lectures, 30 minutes/lecture)
Course No. 4855
Taught by Daniel N. Robinson
Philosophy Faculty, Oxford University
Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, Georgetown University
Ph.D., City University of New York
2 DVDs
$199.95
(Std. $199.95)
Add a Transcript for $15.00
6 Audio CDs
$134.95
(Std. $134.95)
Add a Transcript for $15.00
6 Audiotapes
$89.95
(Std. $89.95)
Add a Transcript for $15.00
1 Transcript Book
$19.95
Transcript Details >
"I have read Thucydides, and have studied and admired the master statesmen of the world—that for solidity and reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, under such a complication of different circumstances, no nation or body of men can stand in preference to the general congress at Philadelphia. I trust it is obvious to your lordships, that all attempts to impose servitude on such men, to establish despotism over such a mighty continental nation—must be vain—must be futile."
—William Pitt, former Prime Minister of Great Britain, in the House of Lords, December 20, 1775
"As the British Constitution is the most subtle organism which has proceeded from the womb and long gestation of progressive history, so the American Constitution is, so far as I can see, the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man."
—William Gladstone, British Prime Minister, writing in the North American Review, 1878
The Gold Standard
The Constitution of the United States remains the "gold standard" as nations proceed to invent themselves, refine themselves, and render themselves fit for the allegiance of the people. For those fortunate to live under a rule of law respectful of the dignity of the person, there is such a feeling of familiarity and naturalness that little attention is paid to the monumental nature of the "invention"—and, therefore, the monumental effort required to preserve it.
As the world’s oldest democracy, the United States stands as the "test case" for those who regard self-government as inherently unstable, inherently self-destructive. Fears were expressed from the first, but so too was unretreating resolve. Writing to his beloved Abigail on July 3, 1776, John Adams offered this sober reflection:
"You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, and that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not."
Ideals
Just which "ideals" were affirmed by the Founders? What lessons of history were closely studied by them? What part did religion take in the entire undertaking and, in light of this, what is the nature of that famous "wall of separation" Jefferson wrote of in his correspondence? How was the institution of slavery understood in relation to the high ideals and aims of the Founders?
This set of a dozen lectures is an invitation to enter this part of the Long Debate; the debate regarding human nature and the conditions right for its flourishing. The lectures are also a tribute to the Founders whose depth of thought, raw courage, persistence, and realism succeeded in moving political philosophy from the schoolhouse to the wider world.
Between the lines of all the lectures there is also a portrait formed of a people striving to preserve and promote lives at once self-determining and consistent with high principles deeply held. Their character was recognized at a great distance.
"This general spirit existing in the American nation… is not new among them; it is, and ever has been their established principle, their confirmed persuasion; it is their nature and their doctrine…. You might destroy their towns, and cut them off from the superfluities… but… they prefer poverty with liberty, to golden chains and sordid affluence….’Tis liberty to liberty engaged, that they will defend themselves, their families and their country. In this great cause they are immovably allied. It is the alliance of God and nature—immutable, eternal, fixed as the firmament of heaven!"
—William Pitt, in the House of Lords, December 20, 1775
The Right People for a Republic
Montesquieu’s widely read Spirit of the Laws described the civic personality that is right for a given form of government. Tyrannies required citizens motivated and guided by fear. The worthy monarchy depends on subjects devoted to honor. A self-governing republic calls for those committed to virtue. But what are the sources of virtue and to what extent were they effective in shaping the character of Colonial America?
Early America was settled by devout Puritan Christians whose successors were attached to the same Christian teachings, now adapted to a New World, rapidly expanding in population and in commerce. It was, however, less the land of "rugged individualism" than of a principled communitarianism focused on the common good. It was precisely this combination of piety and sober deliberation—this immunity to fashionable and abstract philosophies—that preserved it from the excesses that consumed revolutionary France. The humanistic Calvinism that guided so many colonial lives was further enlarged by trust in the common sense and rationality shared by all; a common sense and rationality that would stand as the ultimate arbiter over the claims of authority.
The colonists we discover, were avid readers. In a 1775 speech before Parliament, Edmund Burke pointed out that London booksellers had informed him that they sold more books in the colonies than in all of Great Britain combined. Montesquieu, John Locke’s Treatises on Government, and John Milton on press freedoms—these and scores of works in moral philosophy, history, law, and theology were staples even in the smallest private libraries.
In these carefully crafted dozen lectures, Professor Robinson traces the dominant features of the early American ethos that culminated in declared independence and a constitutional form of government unheralded in political history. The United States of America was, after all, the first nation ever to be created on a date certain by persons whose names we know and on grounds developed through debate and deliberation. As the influential Founder, James Wilson, said during the ratification process,
"The United States exhibit to the world the first instance, as far as we can learn, of a nation, unattacked by external force, unconvulsed by domestick insurrections, assembling voluntarily, deliberating fully, and deciding calmly, concerning that system of government, under which they would wish that they and their posterity should live."
The Founding Documents
Here, then, is an opportunity to trace the manner in which the founding documents of the United States evolved. You examine the early Articles of Confederation as these anticipate the fuller development of fundamental principles during the Constitutional Convention. Notions embodied in earlier colonial laws evolve and are made enduring in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights, for example, asserts that "All men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain rights," including "pursuing happiness." The two lectures on the Constitutional Convention are a highlight of the course. They shed light on the roles specific Founders took in creating the most reasonable plan for ordered liberty ever reduced to writing. The effort was not to create the Garden of Eden, but a nation, populated by persons of diverse interests and needs, abilities and tendencies. The Founders were realists, heeding delegate Pierce Butler's urgings to "follow the example of Solon, who gave the Athenians not the best government he could devise, but the best they would receive."
They succeeded preeminently.
"Should I buy Audio or DVD?"
This course works well in any format. The DVD version includes more than 100 images of people, documents, and events.
7777
Thoughts on American Ideals
The following article is actually a portion of a journal entry written by a student who went on the field trip to Washington, D.C. last June with Patty Huey and Laurie Akehurst. Each student who went on the trip was asked by his or her teacher to keep a daily journal. Since the students were virtually surrounded with history, patriotism, American monuments and discussions on our Christian American heritage, the teachers encouraged the students to share their thoughts on America, what being an American means and the uniqueness of our country. We urged the students to share their deep innermost thoughts rather than simply writing down the happenings of the day. Eddie Hahn's journal entry, we felt, accomplished this goal. Eddie Hahn, who is 15 years old, has been homeschooled since first grade. - Patricia Huey, Teacher Consultant
By: Eddie Hahn, Student
The American dream: life. "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." These ideals make America unique. The ideals of a country are what drive it towards its destiny. Of course, one country's ideals are affected by another country's ideals, such as the Germany-U.S. conflict of ideals in World War II. The ideals of those countries actually determined the outcome of the conflict. God's will determines all, and God has put into place ideals to influence his people so that they can overcome their adversaries.
This is what separates America from any other nation-- her ideals! America is one of the only Christian nations left on earth; from her beginning she has been shaped and guided by Christian ideals and dreams, by Christian hopes and optimism, by Christian desires for unity between brothers and sisters, by Christian faith that binds together in fighting its enemies, by Christian ideas of justice, equality and mercy, and by Christian ideas of striving for significance in life and love for one another.
These ideals are why America has had such culture clashes in its history. America has gone against communism because communism requires unity of purpose between people who have no real connection and do not care about each other; therefore, there is no real unity. This very idea of not caring for one another is what caused the evil of slavery in our country, which America fought against and continues to fight against. Americans realize that slavery violates human rights. Rights are not guaranteed in other countries. In fact, people can continue to live even without them. But without certain rights, life is not life in the true spiritual sense. The American ideal shows that living without certain rights is not a life worth living. Without these rights, we cease to be truly free.
American ideals allow God to provide for and guide them in the search for true freedom. American ideals and freedom are truly unique on earth. I, for one, am proud to be a part of this great nation.
Top of Page
© Copyright 2003, Family Academy®. All Rights Reserved.
7777
Collapse of American Ideals
February 02, 2005
Roy Smith
The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad
Fareed Zakaria
Book, Usually ships in 2 to 4 weeks
Buy now from Amazon.com
See also:
» Markos Moulitsas Zúniga: Another Darth Nader?
» On William Jefferson And Office Searches
» Borderline Immigration Policy
First amendment goes "too far", say students in survey. Huh? Whatever happened to the notion of free expression, and of protection of dissent? Our schools (and parents!) must not be doing very well at all at the task of educating our young people to be citizens fit for self-government. This survey is more than a little alarming to me, because attitudes like this and apathy among our citizens is the first step to the end of the "American experiment". As President Lincoln once said, no foreign power could ever defeat us; the death of America would come from suicide.
And that leads me neatly to the next headline, Gonzales confirmation will bring Lincoln prophecy to bear (2nd letter). In my experience, the U.S. Constitution, and in particular the Bill of Rights, has been a statement of ideals larger than just nationalism. As the letter writer says, the Bush administration appears to understand the Constitution as a legal rather than a moral document. Odd, for an administration which spends a great deal of energy talking about the moral basis for its policies, particularly foreign policy. I think that historians will remember these years as the time when the torch of leadership in protection of human rights was passed from the United States to the European Union. Interestingly, the EU's counterpart to the U.S. Bill of Rights is presented as a Charter of Fundamental Rights and states in its preamble: "the Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity". This language, and the public policy of the EU, demonstrates a much more universal concept of the applicability of the principles of human rights than the narrow, legalistic idea endorsed by the administration.
Finally, as if it was necessary to emphasize any more how the United States is moving away from the progressive, liberal ideas that dominate the rest of the fully developed world, consider these two articles: GOP taking aim at health insurance paid by employers, and That darned fiscal crisis shreds the safety net. These discuss how the administration is attempting to destroy what little exists of the social safety net in the areas of healthcare, social security, education, and housing assistance. The assault on all aspects of our civil society is breathtaking to behold, and the prospects of major pieces of this assault succeeding are more than a little frightening.
Why this is all happening? I don't profess to know all (or even maybe any) of the answers, but I think that the root of many of our troubles is this: at its heart, the United States has become a fearful nation. Fear and insecurity drives us to lash out at those who are different and to be more selfish and less generous with others, particularly those who are less blessed than ourselves. Fear is responsible for the idea that security is more important than liberty, as expressed in the USA Patriot Act. Fear is responsible for the acceptance of racial and religious profiling as acceptable, normal ways to enforce laws. Insecurity drives people to be more concerned about lowering their taxes than ensuring equality of opportunity or access to healthcare for all. Fear drives citizens of a democracy to endorse wars of aggression instead of the exercise of diplomatic pressure, consistent policies, and unwavering commitment to justice and human rights.
Unfortunately, I don't really have a happy ending for this piece. Everywhere I look I find discouraging signs. I only hope that the unraveling of America's ideals will be stopped before too much more damage to our nation and the world has been done.
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The Collapse of American Ideals
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* » Published on February 02, 2005
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#1
Eric Olsen
February 2, 2005
03:30 PM
very interesting thoughts and well written - I'm not sure our current foreign policy is based upon fear or a determination to not be fearful -- I'm inclined toward the latter -- but there is no doubt 9/11 struck fear deep into the heart of the nation. Thanks and welcome Roy!
#2
Ayu
URL
February 2, 2005
03:46 PM
Bravo! If everyone thought they way you do, the world would have been a better place :-)
7777
ebruary 28, 2006
CONTRIBUTOR ARCHIVES
American Ideals
A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
by James Ridout
How can the President of the United States and those that blindly support his actions tell the people of the United States that we do not participate in torture? How can those that make such false statements defend them with any sense of morality? To do so is a sin. To do so is to speak falsely. I challenge those of you that can stare so blankly into the camera or boldly make spurious statements to explain the case of Maher Arar.
Mr. Arar is a Canadian citizen who was taken into custody at Kennedy airport in 2002 while returning from a family vacation. As his NAME would suggest he is of Middle Eastern descent. Mr. Arar was then taken to a detention center in Brooklyn. His "truth" was not the truth that this administration and the culture it has allowed to pervade across this land was looking for. They wanted to save America, regardless of the laws that were violated or the American principles that it desecrated. So Mr. Arar was sent off to a rat-infested prison in Syria and subjected to brutal torture techniques for 10 months. It was the United States government that sent Maher Arar to Syria under the auspices of "extraordinary rendition."
Mr. Arar was finally released, because HE WAS INNOCENT!!!! And to add insult to injury, when Mr. Arar tried to sue the United States for his loss and injuries he was denied, because in the eyes of the United States the case would cause harm to our National Security.
Thus when President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice and any others who go before the public and claim that the United States does not participate in torture it is just one more lie, one more attempt to cover up the egregious acts that have taken place under this administration to ignore the very principles on which we were founded.
The horrific attack on September 11th, 2001 did not justify such actions. It is under these very sorts of challenges that our adherence to the ideals and genius of our Founding Fathers should be at our strongest. To be a free people takes courage by both the citizenry and our elected officials. Our elected officials do not have the honor of sitting in Washington DC to simply rubber stamp the ideology of the President, nor are they there as either a Republican or Democrat, they are there as a representative of the people of this Republic for which it stands. I ask them to have the courage of those ideals. Torture is a shameful and UNAMERICAN activity that is the tactic of cowards.
In closing, and on a lesser note, a VA Nurse in Albuquerque, New Mexico has been charged with Sedition simply because she spoke out against the policies of George W. Bush. If this were the 1770's and John Adams was President and the very future of our nation was in question as an infant nation, then, perhaps such an action might be appropriate, but it is not proper in either case. How does the person who levied such a charge remain in the employ of the United States? In any event, I suppose the torture would follow a conviction of Sedition. It is just one more shameful act, and misguided modern ideals of patriotism.
Democracy's Regression (TomPaine)
What those that precipitate such actions misunderstand is that a culture of "my country right or wrong" is not Patriotism, it is "Nationalism." To hold our country liable for the very principles on which it was founded, even if that means speaking out when others are afraid to do so, is an act of Patriotism.
Sincerely,
James Ridout
Albuquerque, New Mexico
A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
777
How Lobbying Destroys American Ideals
george polisner's picture
Submitted by george polisner on Sun, 2006-03-19 09:41.
As I read the story below, and watched the news unfold about Jack Abramoff, with talk of "Sweeping changes with regard to the logistics of lobbying", how many believe with me that the only sweeping that will result will be under the rug? Regardless of political party or side why do we permit lobbyists -or influence peddlers -or underminers of a representative government to exist?
Politicians want to fundamental things, money and votes. They know that money will substantially increase their ability to get votes. And so does business, industry and special interests. We pay the salaries of our representatives. They are supposed to work for us. How many of you reading this are happy with our leadership. How many believe they are representing the interests of our families, neighborhoods, cities, states and country?
The concept of lobbying is largely the root cause of elected officials representing business, industry and special interests instead of "We the People".
the following is from
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=4146
Lobbyists and special interest groups in Washington may be significantly restricted in their future operations following the spectacular Jack Abramoff scandal.
When Congressional lobbyist Jack Abramoff reached a plea deal with federal investigators in January on charges of conspiracy, tax evasion and mail fraud, a collective chill settled over lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Many have close links with the tarnished influence peddler.
It is the biggest lobbying scandal to hit the US capital since 1980, when six members of Congress were caught taking large sums of cash from FBI agents disguised as Arab sheikhs in a sting that became known as “Abscam”.
So most of Washington is holding its breath, waiting for Abramoff to begin naming the names of his co-conspirators in Congress. Meanwhile the rest of the lobbyists on the city’s now infamous K Street, and the special interest groups and businesses they work for, are left to back-peddle and regroup.
There could be sweeping changes to the logistics of lobbying.
Some are calling the scandal “lobbying’s Enron”, but even before Jack Abramoff became a household name in the US, a push for lobby reform had been gaining momentum.
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7777777777777
merican Ideals: Founding a "Republic of Virtue"
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Course No. 4855
Taught by Daniel N. Robinson
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Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, Georgetown University
Ph.D., City University of New York
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"I have read Thucydides, and have studied and admired the master statesmen of the world—that for solidity and reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, under such a complication of different circumstances, no nation or body of men can stand in preference to the general congress at Philadelphia. I trust it is obvious to your lordships, that all attempts to impose servitude on such men, to establish despotism over such a mighty continental nation—must be vain—must be futile."
—William Pitt, former Prime Minister of Great Britain, in the House of Lords, December 20, 1775
"As the British Constitution is the most subtle organism which has proceeded from the womb and long gestation of progressive history, so the American Constitution is, so far as I can see, the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man."
—William Gladstone, British Prime Minister, writing in the North American Review, 1878
The Gold Standard
The Constitution of the United States remains the "gold standard" as nations proceed to invent themselves, refine themselves, and render themselves fit for the allegiance of the people. For those fortunate to live under a rule of law respectful of the dignity of the person, there is such a feeling of familiarity and naturalness that little attention is paid to the monumental nature of the "invention"—and, therefore, the monumental effort required to preserve it.
As the world’s oldest democracy, the United States stands as the "test case" for those who regard self-government as inherently unstable, inherently self-destructive. Fears were expressed from the first, but so too was unretreating resolve. Writing to his beloved Abigail on July 3, 1776, John Adams offered this sober reflection:
"You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, and that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not."
Ideals
Just which "ideals" were affirmed by the Founders? What lessons of history were closely studied by them? What part did religion take in the entire undertaking and, in light of this, what is the nature of that famous "wall of separation" Jefferson wrote of in his correspondence? How was the institution of slavery understood in relation to the high ideals and aims of the Founders?
This set of a dozen lectures is an invitation to enter this part of the Long Debate; the debate regarding human nature and the conditions right for its flourishing. The lectures are also a tribute to the Founders whose depth of thought, raw courage, persistence, and realism succeeded in moving political philosophy from the schoolhouse to the wider world.
Between the lines of all the lectures there is also a portrait formed of a people striving to preserve and promote lives at once self-determining and consistent with high principles deeply held. Their character was recognized at a great distance.
"This general spirit existing in the American nation… is not new among them; it is, and ever has been their established principle, their confirmed persuasion; it is their nature and their doctrine…. You might destroy their towns, and cut them off from the superfluities… but… they prefer poverty with liberty, to golden chains and sordid affluence….’Tis liberty to liberty engaged, that they will defend themselves, their families and their country. In this great cause they are immovably allied. It is the alliance of God and nature—immutable, eternal, fixed as the firmament of heaven!"
—William Pitt, in the House of Lords, December 20, 1775
The Right People for a Republic
Montesquieu’s widely read Spirit of the Laws described the civic personality that is right for a given form of government. Tyrannies required citizens motivated and guided by fear. The worthy monarchy depends on subjects devoted to honor. A self-governing republic calls for those committed to virtue. But what are the sources of virtue and to what extent were they effective in shaping the character of Colonial America?
Early America was settled by devout Puritan Christians whose successors were attached to the same Christian teachings, now adapted to a New World, rapidly expanding in population and in commerce. It was, however, less the land of "rugged individualism" than of a principled communitarianism focused on the common good. It was precisely this combination of piety and sober deliberation—this immunity to fashionable and abstract philosophies—that preserved it from the excesses that consumed revolutionary France. The humanistic Calvinism that guided so many colonial lives was further enlarged by trust in the common sense and rationality shared by all; a common sense and rationality that would stand as the ultimate arbiter over the claims of authority.
The colonists we discover, were avid readers. In a 1775 speech before Parliament, Edmund Burke pointed out that London booksellers had informed him that they sold more books in the colonies than in all of Great Britain combined. Montesquieu, John Locke’s Treatises on Government, and John Milton on press freedoms—these and scores of works in moral philosophy, history, law, and theology were staples even in the smallest private libraries.
In these carefully crafted dozen lectures, Professor Robinson traces the dominant features of the early American ethos that culminated in declared independence and a constitutional form of government unheralded in political history. The United States of America was, after all, the first nation ever to be created on a date certain by persons whose names we know and on grounds developed through debate and deliberation. As the influential Founder, James Wilson, said during the ratification process,
"The United States exhibit to the world the first instance, as far as we can learn, of a nation, unattacked by external force, unconvulsed by domestick insurrections, assembling voluntarily, deliberating fully, and deciding calmly, concerning that system of government, under which they would wish that they and their posterity should live."
The Founding Documents
Here, then, is an opportunity to trace the manner in which the founding documents of the United States evolved. You examine the early Articles of Confederation as these anticipate the fuller development of fundamental principles during the Constitutional Convention. Notions embodied in earlier colonial laws evolve and are made enduring in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights, for example, asserts that "All men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain rights," including "pursuing happiness." The two lectures on the Constitutional Convention are a highlight of the course. They shed light on the roles specific Founders took in creating the most reasonable plan for ordered liberty ever reduced to writing. The effort was not to create the Garden of Eden, but a nation, populated by persons of diverse interests and needs, abilities and tendencies. The Founders were realists, heeding delegate Pierce Butler's urgings to "follow the example of Solon, who gave the Athenians not the best government he could devise, but the best they would receive."
They succeeded preeminently.
"Should I buy Audio or DVD?"
This course works well in any format. The DVD version includes more than 100 images of people, documents, and events.
7777
Thoughts on American Ideals
The following article is actually a portion of a journal entry written by a student who went on the field trip to Washington, D.C. last June with Patty Huey and Laurie Akehurst. Each student who went on the trip was asked by his or her teacher to keep a daily journal. Since the students were virtually surrounded with history, patriotism, American monuments and discussions on our Christian American heritage, the teachers encouraged the students to share their thoughts on America, what being an American means and the uniqueness of our country. We urged the students to share their deep innermost thoughts rather than simply writing down the happenings of the day. Eddie Hahn's journal entry, we felt, accomplished this goal. Eddie Hahn, who is 15 years old, has been homeschooled since first grade. - Patricia Huey, Teacher Consultant
By: Eddie Hahn, Student
The American dream: life. "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." These ideals make America unique. The ideals of a country are what drive it towards its destiny. Of course, one country's ideals are affected by another country's ideals, such as the Germany-U.S. conflict of ideals in World War II. The ideals of those countries actually determined the outcome of the conflict. God's will determines all, and God has put into place ideals to influence his people so that they can overcome their adversaries.
This is what separates America from any other nation-- her ideals! America is one of the only Christian nations left on earth; from her beginning she has been shaped and guided by Christian ideals and dreams, by Christian hopes and optimism, by Christian desires for unity between brothers and sisters, by Christian faith that binds together in fighting its enemies, by Christian ideas of justice, equality and mercy, and by Christian ideas of striving for significance in life and love for one another.
These ideals are why America has had such culture clashes in its history. America has gone against communism because communism requires unity of purpose between people who have no real connection and do not care about each other; therefore, there is no real unity. This very idea of not caring for one another is what caused the evil of slavery in our country, which America fought against and continues to fight against. Americans realize that slavery violates human rights. Rights are not guaranteed in other countries. In fact, people can continue to live even without them. But without certain rights, life is not life in the true spiritual sense. The American ideal shows that living without certain rights is not a life worth living. Without these rights, we cease to be truly free.
American ideals allow God to provide for and guide them in the search for true freedom. American ideals and freedom are truly unique on earth. I, for one, am proud to be a part of this great nation.
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7777
Collapse of American Ideals
February 02, 2005
Roy Smith
The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad
Fareed Zakaria
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See also:
» Markos Moulitsas Zúniga: Another Darth Nader?
» On William Jefferson And Office Searches
» Borderline Immigration Policy
First amendment goes "too far", say students in survey. Huh? Whatever happened to the notion of free expression, and of protection of dissent? Our schools (and parents!) must not be doing very well at all at the task of educating our young people to be citizens fit for self-government. This survey is more than a little alarming to me, because attitudes like this and apathy among our citizens is the first step to the end of the "American experiment". As President Lincoln once said, no foreign power could ever defeat us; the death of America would come from suicide.
And that leads me neatly to the next headline, Gonzales confirmation will bring Lincoln prophecy to bear (2nd letter). In my experience, the U.S. Constitution, and in particular the Bill of Rights, has been a statement of ideals larger than just nationalism. As the letter writer says, the Bush administration appears to understand the Constitution as a legal rather than a moral document. Odd, for an administration which spends a great deal of energy talking about the moral basis for its policies, particularly foreign policy. I think that historians will remember these years as the time when the torch of leadership in protection of human rights was passed from the United States to the European Union. Interestingly, the EU's counterpart to the U.S. Bill of Rights is presented as a Charter of Fundamental Rights and states in its preamble: "the Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity". This language, and the public policy of the EU, demonstrates a much more universal concept of the applicability of the principles of human rights than the narrow, legalistic idea endorsed by the administration.
Finally, as if it was necessary to emphasize any more how the United States is moving away from the progressive, liberal ideas that dominate the rest of the fully developed world, consider these two articles: GOP taking aim at health insurance paid by employers, and That darned fiscal crisis shreds the safety net. These discuss how the administration is attempting to destroy what little exists of the social safety net in the areas of healthcare, social security, education, and housing assistance. The assault on all aspects of our civil society is breathtaking to behold, and the prospects of major pieces of this assault succeeding are more than a little frightening.
Why this is all happening? I don't profess to know all (or even maybe any) of the answers, but I think that the root of many of our troubles is this: at its heart, the United States has become a fearful nation. Fear and insecurity drives us to lash out at those who are different and to be more selfish and less generous with others, particularly those who are less blessed than ourselves. Fear is responsible for the idea that security is more important than liberty, as expressed in the USA Patriot Act. Fear is responsible for the acceptance of racial and religious profiling as acceptable, normal ways to enforce laws. Insecurity drives people to be more concerned about lowering their taxes than ensuring equality of opportunity or access to healthcare for all. Fear drives citizens of a democracy to endorse wars of aggression instead of the exercise of diplomatic pressure, consistent policies, and unwavering commitment to justice and human rights.
Unfortunately, I don't really have a happy ending for this piece. Everywhere I look I find discouraging signs. I only hope that the unraveling of America's ideals will be stopped before too much more damage to our nation and the world has been done.
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The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad
Fareed Zakaria
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The Collapse of American Ideals
Article
* » Published on February 02, 2005
* » Filed under:
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.
Author: Roy Smith
* » Roy Smith's BC writer page
* » Roy Smith's personal weblog
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#1
Eric Olsen
February 2, 2005
03:30 PM
very interesting thoughts and well written - I'm not sure our current foreign policy is based upon fear or a determination to not be fearful -- I'm inclined toward the latter -- but there is no doubt 9/11 struck fear deep into the heart of the nation. Thanks and welcome Roy!
#2
Ayu
URL
February 2, 2005
03:46 PM
Bravo! If everyone thought they way you do, the world would have been a better place :-)
7777
ebruary 28, 2006
CONTRIBUTOR ARCHIVES
American Ideals
A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
by James Ridout
How can the President of the United States and those that blindly support his actions tell the people of the United States that we do not participate in torture? How can those that make such false statements defend them with any sense of morality? To do so is a sin. To do so is to speak falsely. I challenge those of you that can stare so blankly into the camera or boldly make spurious statements to explain the case of Maher Arar.
Mr. Arar is a Canadian citizen who was taken into custody at Kennedy airport in 2002 while returning from a family vacation. As his NAME would suggest he is of Middle Eastern descent. Mr. Arar was then taken to a detention center in Brooklyn. His "truth" was not the truth that this administration and the culture it has allowed to pervade across this land was looking for. They wanted to save America, regardless of the laws that were violated or the American principles that it desecrated. So Mr. Arar was sent off to a rat-infested prison in Syria and subjected to brutal torture techniques for 10 months. It was the United States government that sent Maher Arar to Syria under the auspices of "extraordinary rendition."
Mr. Arar was finally released, because HE WAS INNOCENT!!!! And to add insult to injury, when Mr. Arar tried to sue the United States for his loss and injuries he was denied, because in the eyes of the United States the case would cause harm to our National Security.
Thus when President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice and any others who go before the public and claim that the United States does not participate in torture it is just one more lie, one more attempt to cover up the egregious acts that have taken place under this administration to ignore the very principles on which we were founded.
The horrific attack on September 11th, 2001 did not justify such actions. It is under these very sorts of challenges that our adherence to the ideals and genius of our Founding Fathers should be at our strongest. To be a free people takes courage by both the citizenry and our elected officials. Our elected officials do not have the honor of sitting in Washington DC to simply rubber stamp the ideology of the President, nor are they there as either a Republican or Democrat, they are there as a representative of the people of this Republic for which it stands. I ask them to have the courage of those ideals. Torture is a shameful and UNAMERICAN activity that is the tactic of cowards.
In closing, and on a lesser note, a VA Nurse in Albuquerque, New Mexico has been charged with Sedition simply because she spoke out against the policies of George W. Bush. If this were the 1770's and John Adams was President and the very future of our nation was in question as an infant nation, then, perhaps such an action might be appropriate, but it is not proper in either case. How does the person who levied such a charge remain in the employ of the United States? In any event, I suppose the torture would follow a conviction of Sedition. It is just one more shameful act, and misguided modern ideals of patriotism.
Democracy's Regression (TomPaine)
What those that precipitate such actions misunderstand is that a culture of "my country right or wrong" is not Patriotism, it is "Nationalism." To hold our country liable for the very principles on which it was founded, even if that means speaking out when others are afraid to do so, is an act of Patriotism.
Sincerely,
James Ridout
Albuquerque, New Mexico
A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
777
How Lobbying Destroys American Ideals
george polisner's picture
Submitted by george polisner on Sun, 2006-03-19 09:41.
As I read the story below, and watched the news unfold about Jack Abramoff, with talk of "Sweeping changes with regard to the logistics of lobbying", how many believe with me that the only sweeping that will result will be under the rug? Regardless of political party or side why do we permit lobbyists -or influence peddlers -or underminers of a representative government to exist?
Politicians want to fundamental things, money and votes. They know that money will substantially increase their ability to get votes. And so does business, industry and special interests. We pay the salaries of our representatives. They are supposed to work for us. How many of you reading this are happy with our leadership. How many believe they are representing the interests of our families, neighborhoods, cities, states and country?
The concept of lobbying is largely the root cause of elected officials representing business, industry and special interests instead of "We the People".
the following is from
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=4146
Lobbyists and special interest groups in Washington may be significantly restricted in their future operations following the spectacular Jack Abramoff scandal.
When Congressional lobbyist Jack Abramoff reached a plea deal with federal investigators in January on charges of conspiracy, tax evasion and mail fraud, a collective chill settled over lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Many have close links with the tarnished influence peddler.
It is the biggest lobbying scandal to hit the US capital since 1980, when six members of Congress were caught taking large sums of cash from FBI agents disguised as Arab sheikhs in a sting that became known as “Abscam”.
So most of Washington is holding its breath, waiting for Abramoff to begin naming the names of his co-conspirators in Congress. Meanwhile the rest of the lobbyists on the city’s now infamous K Street, and the special interest groups and businesses they work for, are left to back-peddle and regroup.
There could be sweeping changes to the logistics of lobbying.
Some are calling the scandal “lobbying’s Enron”, but even before Jack Abramoff became a household name in the US, a push for lobby reform had been gaining momentum.
add new comment | previous forum topic | next forum topic
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© 2005 alonovo.com
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