THE BASIS FOR A STRONG NATION --series

THE BASIS FOR A STRONG NATION By R.J. Godlewski © March 2, 2008, All Rights Reserved

1. A Return to American basics

Change. It is a descriptive bantered about as if it were a pagan idol newly minted from gold. It is heralded as a portent of our nation’s future; a representative of fresh ideas and long-awaited opportunities. Those who espouse its conjuring implore us to recognize all that’s bad with our nation and its people. Yet, America is the epitome of change – and always has been. Our nation was the first to demand the inalienable rights of the individual and fight wholeheartedly for them. Our nation was the first republic created solely from a menagerie of non-indigenous peoples. America, the much maligned target of seemingly an entire planet, is the only nation on earth that’s come to the rescue of the others and not hang around as a despotic land-grabber. Our people – the very essence of America itself – are the most compassionate and generous people ever known to grace God’s good earth.

From the first “shot heard around the world” America has always been known as a nation of ideas and challenges, but never one of oppressed peoples, despotic leaders, and renegade militaries. Our nation represents every culture, every ethnicity, every religion, and every thought. Our presidents have ascended from log cabins, from peanut farms, and even from the silver screen. Our citizens have conquered the Atlantic from the air and the Moon from through space. We’ve fought to end slavery, to end imperialism, and to end genocide. Amongst our greatest symbols is a lady in New York harbor – received as a gift to our greatness – beckoning all who care to come here legally with open arms, not a man thrusting his AK-47 skyward in defiance. What, then, does “change” represent?

Do we care to divert from our time-honored belief that “all men are created equal”? Do we want to dispense with a government “of the people and by the people”? Is the concept of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” such an abomination? If we answer ‘yes’ to any of these, then we merely want to change America into some other nation. If we sacrifice our beliefs regarding equality, then we run the risk of becoming Saudi Arabia – a homogeneous culture where women are cloistered and opposition is brutally beaten down. If we destroy our concept of government by the people, then we may become Iran where ruling clerics will determine which president is worthy of our vote. If we abandon our personal liberties then we may become Sudan where mere existence is the goal of a lifetime.

Those who hurl demands of change at us say that all is wrong with the direction of our nation. They say that the economy is weak, that our nation is struggling within an “unwinnable” war, and that personal liberties have been sacrificed needlessly. Is it our nation’s fault that people choose to live beyond their means? Is it wrong to challenge tyrants militarily and aim to instill a sense of dignity and integrity upon a previously oppressed people? Is the wanton destruction of the most innocent of human lives really a personal liberty? I think not.

What has made America great – and will continue to keep our country revered at the top of the pantheon of historical superpowers – is that we’re a nation patterned upon the family and corralled by our Creator. We feed the world, welcome invited guests here with open arms, and continually give thanks to God for all that he has placed into our care. Each one of our ‘children’ has every opportunity to become successful – even becoming our highest elected official. When things go bad, we are able to voice our own opinion out in public without fear of retribution. When we go bad, we have the right to be tried by our peers and another Constitutional guarantee against unjust punishments.

So what do the ‘quick change’ artists wish to impose upon America? First, they want the ability to end the lives of the unborn without representation. Second, they want to destroy the existence of our Creator, imposing a government-mandated secular life upon us. Third, they want to diminish the integrity of the family; sacrificing the inherent value of the historical marriage between “one man and one women.” Fourth, they want to deny the individual of the right to protect themselves and the country the greater obligation of national security. Fifth, they want to eliminate our borders so that “American” becomes the identity of whoever wishes to invade our sovereignty. Lastly, they want local judges to become the absolute overlords of the law – where legislation by way of gavel becomes embedded in stone. I’d laugh if these weren’t so serious.

These people who orchestrate orgasmic crowds with promises of change are no different than the tyrants of old and they shall be discharged with by the same voters who sent forces against the Kaiser, the Fuehrer, Tojo, and the “Butcher of Baghdad.” Main Street America is not interested in chaos; they simply desire a return to the days of a good five-cent cigar, a car in every garage, and a chicken in every pot. They want their families healthy, happy, educated, and fed – not poisoned, depressed, indoctrinated, and starved. They want to be able to feast on rare steaks, watch quality movies, and kick back and down a cold one during the weekend ‘big game’.

Americans want to be able to drive whatever automobile they can afford, travel to whatever destination they can imagine, and undertake any discipline which suits their fancy. They don’t want committees telling them where to live, politicians telling them they cannot arm themselves, and educators telling them what to believe. They want the right to choose or not to choose their religion -- not an overbearing government that shields all religion from their eyes. Most of all, however, they want to live in the same America that was experienced by their forbearers. They don’t want recent arrivals sneaking past our established laws for personal gain – or worse. They want their children to learn in school those subjects that will grant them a brighter and more secure future – not indoctrinated into a way of life not approved of by their parents. They want America to be a singular example of hope and opportunity; we can always decide to leave if we’re not satisfied with our nation.

Change, in the current campaign season, merely represents a desire to fashion America into something of a New- France, Great Britain, Germany, Venezuela, or Iran. Yet, if these nations were so great then their citizens would desire to remain at home with their families instead of embarking upon often troubling and dangerous journeys to our shores. Change, in the context of the current election year, merely translates into conversion – the conversion of a proud and independent people into something that is against their best wishes and interests. Change means abdicating over two and a quarter centuries’ worth of trial and error, hard work and discipline, and much sacrifice from our brave men and women in uniform. Simply put, change means that what exists is wrong and unbearable.

Personally, I find no fault with America – just with those who wish to dislodge us off of the pantheon that we so richly deserve. I believe in God, traditional family, and the right to protect ourselves at any and all costs and through whatever means may be necessary. I don’t believe that judges should establish law over the desires of the voters, that illegal aliens should be rounded up and deported as fast as humanly (not politically) possible. I believe that schools, colleges, and universities are places intended for personal growth, not indoctrination from those espousing a particular agenda. I want to drive whatever vehicle I can buy, eat whatever food I can find, and travel safely and securely to any place I can envision. More importantly, I want forgiveness for my many transgressions both now and in the future. This is the America that I’ve come to love and this is the America that’s always existed.

I understand that I represent only “a voice of one crying out in the desert” but I am definitely not weak. I’ve been blessed with certain talents and interests from my Lord and I will use these to shore up America’s heritage and values. I will never allow anyone to sacrifice our freedoms, our culture, or our national security without challenge. Not in my lifetime, not in my country, not in my world, and not on my watch!

NEXT INSTALLMENT: What is an American?

(The above article is the first in a series by R. J. Godlewski, exclusively for Right Truth. A new installment will be published each Monday. Please leave your comments or questions for Mr. Godlewski here in the comments section and he will respond.)

Comments

[Debbie]

Albur and JWB: Thanks so much for the comments.

[ablur]

Those are the words of truth spoken about the greatest nation to ever exist on the planet.
There may be change necessary but it is only in regards to taking back what greatness we have lost over bad decisions and bad government over the last 60years. Our constitution and our educational standards have been watered down to where America is starting to lose its greatness. We are not perfect but now is the time to turn back before we fall off the cliff approaching fast before us.

[JMB]

Very profound and truthful words Mr, R. J. Godlewski
And thanks Deb, I enjoyed reading this very much!

[Debbie]

Black Sheep a/k/a Rastaman, Islamanazi: Glad you are enjoying blogging more now you have the new site. I need to go through my blogroll. I know there are many that don't exist any more.

Thanks everybody for the comments.

[Black Sheep]

Hi Debbie
Another day, another post... Changing blogs was a refreshing move for my thought processes. I've finally figured out the core strategy of the Saudis, for instance, something that's been baffling me for ages. Probably because it's so obvious.

I moved the old blogroll over to the new blog, I'm not going to abandon those who stuck with me all this time, tho I'm still looking for a new, less confined blogroll. I left Stop The ACLU behind, and a few others that I'd listed. The ACLU one pretty much went Far Right Republican during the caucuses, and since I'm not Far Right I didn't want the association. It was supposed to be about the ACLU, not his favorite candidate. That's fine for a personal page but you don't do that on a blogroll. Anyway, that's why it's not on my new blog.

I still feel the same way about the ACLU, of course.

Trying to find a blogroll that's appropriate isn't easy. Most of them are gathering rust from disuse. I email the owners, then wait days and finally get back an "Oh, yeah, sorry, I don't maintain it anymore."

This goes along with what I was saying before. Blogs have gotten cloistered. No new blogs is exactly why the rolls are dying. And, people get tired of seeing their hits steadily decrease. I know I did. You've done well by spreading out your area of comment. As I recall, you even posted on Britney once, which brought howls from your single-point-of-view people, of course.

I still have a focus, but it's general instead of narrow and specific, and I have more range for my odd sense of humor. I'll give it the old college try, anyway, and see if this new approach goes over better. If not, then I must not be cut out for it.

Happy blogging.

[Skunkfeathers]

Nice to see something positive and thoughtfully intelligent about America, which distinguishes it from the "progressive" changemongers of the Left (aka, not positive nor thoughtfully intelligent).

[Angel]

What has made America great – and will continue to keep our country revered at the top of the pantheon of historical superpowers – is that we’re a nation patterned upon the family and corralled by our Creator...what a brilliant, well thought out and articulate piece!..thanks for passing this along Deb!:)