Our American heritage and our responsibility for preserving It

In his book, Thomas More transformed the everyday use of “utopia”, meaning “no-where” into the term for a “perfect society”. It was not his intent but rather he hoped to break the public fairytale notion that any such government existed or, in fact, could exist. Case in point, he was later beheaded for treason for opposing King Henry VIII.

Some 250 years later, a group of men including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and others risked losing their lives in a struggle against a king. The war for our independence was revolutionary in more ways than one. In wake of our victory, we flipped through the pages of history and in the style of Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, strived to create a governmental system that, if not perfect, imbued progress – if not permanent, lay down steps for its evolution – if not capable of success, then at least every American would die having gotten the chance to LIVE and exert all his God-given rights.

We all possess bodies, minds, and feelings but during their time period, few people around the world had the right to speak them. Under our Constitution, everyone is allowed the freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and to bear arms. But just like owning a gun carries with it certain responsibilities, we have a duty as citizens of the United States, to exercise our rights wisely. In thinking of the public good, politicians and CEOs should not broker back-door deals that do nothing but hurt this country. Political campaigns should not be won on scare tactics or by running the other candidate’s through the mud. JFK made the immortal statement, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country”.

One of our problems is that not even 50% of the populace qualified to vote make it out to the polls most of the time. Students look with glazed eyes at their civics books. And we are swimming through history and our current lives determined by the actions of those brave souls and we don’t even realize it. Organizations like Daughters of the American Revolution help preserve our American heritage but more needs to be done.

More attempts to stir patriotism in the youth. More interest in what the United States has suffered and overcome. More citizens should educate themselves about the issues and not waste their valuable voice – be a part of the political process. We owe it to ourselves and the dreamers — going back to 1776 and before — to remember what they stood for — if not “utopia”, then pretty darn close.