Leader of the free world and Super Power are lofty self-proclaimed titles for a relatively young nation. The character of the American citizen is unusual. We are brash, aggressive, driven, inventive, curious and compassionate. But should we act as disciplinarian. The stern parent of a reckless world. Absolutely.
We are not a perfect people. No nation possesses perfection. Our form of government and its leaders, like our citizens are flawed. We are a forgiving people, blessed with great compassion. Our history has earned us the role we play on this increasingly smaller planet. Although we have foibles, our founders and our elected leaders, the men and women we have put into the decision and influence making positions, whether through the ballot or through public interest, have sustained, tweaked, fiddled and continued to improve a very basic principle that has served humanity well. All men are created equal. Liberty and freedom bring out the best of people’s minds and abilities. The consequence is that it can also bring out the worst, which is why such a high price is placed, justly on values.
Values are intimate to each human being. However all citizens of a community must share some unifying values, whether that community be a family, a corporation, a nation or the world. The people of the United States of America value life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our constitution is our guide. Like the Bible and many other great works, the contents are open to interpretation. America also values the right to debate, to criticize and to disagree. Many of our citizens have lived with our freedom for so long that they forget, sadly, that much of the world does not have it in the dawning years of a new millennium.
We are not a perfect people. No nation possesses perfection. Our form of government and its leaders, like our citizens are flawed. We are a forgiving people, blessed with great compassion. Our history has earned us the role we play on this increasingly smaller planet. Although we have foibles, our founders and our elected leaders, the men and women we have put into the decision and influence making positions, whether through the ballot or through public interest, have sustained, tweaked, fiddled and continued to improve a very basic principle that has served humanity well. All men are created equal. Liberty and freedom bring out the best of people’s minds and abilities. The consequence is that it can also bring out the worst, which is why such a high price is placed, justly on values.
Values are intimate to each human being. However all citizens of a community must share some unifying values, whether that community be a family, a corporation, a nation or the world. The people of the United States of America value life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our constitution is our guide. Like the Bible and many other great works, the contents are open to interpretation. America also values the right to debate, to criticize and to disagree. Many of our citizens have lived with our freedom for so long that they forget, sadly, that much of the world does not have it in the dawning years of a new millennium.
Until the entire world can appreciate freedom and is united in defeating oppressors of that inalienable human right, someone must stand up for it consistently. Because we are the freest of nations we must defend all other nations and people pursuing liberation regardless of its tactical importance to our national security. For the biggest thereat to our national security is the loss of liberty. That is why the words of John F. Kennedy still ring true today and should serve as a reminder until the world achieves peace.
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
If we do not believe those words today we are not entitled to the freedom our predecessors fought so hardly for and we should be ashamed.
