Fourth of July Cogitation

Well, the gang attempting to destroy America has dropped the gloves. They accused President Trump of divisiveness because he defended America. Did the President claim that no one in American history committed an atrocity? No. Did he even justify these atrocities? No. He merely pointed out that America is a great nation and he even recognized that we could have done better and will do better in the future. But surely no one believes that America is all bad. Or do they?

Here is a question that I would ask the protesters or even the apologists who make blanket condemnations of America. Before we begin, this is no screed to deny any historical wrongs. We can even trace unjust actions to recent history. Our intention here is not to deny that wrong and unjust things have happened, but to put them into perspective.

Here is the question. Currently, which nation in the world would treat the subjects of the perceived wrongs in a better manner than they “suffer” in America? This is not to deny that there are injustices. But are they all-pervasive and comprehensive? And where would similar or worse treatment not occur? Even in our allies, we can identify instances of intolerance and injustice.

And, as we examine the world landscape, where could protesters exhibit the behavior we have seen recently expect to not be censured–at least–and/or incarcerated? Or maybe even executed. Check Hong Kong, for instance, where people asking for the “freedoms” we have here are routinely jailed and worse. There are people extolling the wonders of Argentina and other socialist countries. How would these protests be addressed in those “culturally inclusive domains?” Anyone want to try Saudi Arabia? And they are even an ally.

And even looking back in history, which countries in history would or did treat minorities with more dignity and respect than the United States. For instance, the first country in the world to ban slavery was...wait for it, The US of A. Granted, England did actually enact the enabling legislation before the United States did it, but the actual law passed in America first.

While we protest past American treatment of any and all minorities, please identify where in history any group was not mistreated. And while we are at it, what nation would have developed the freedoms that we enjoy in America. No country on earth was founded on individual rights until the United States opened the door. Some, thankfully have followed our lead, but no nation in history offered the freedoms and rights that we find first in American documents. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution have enshrined and ensured individual freedoms and well-being.

And the fact that we express shame and remorse at the lack of complete preservation and presentation of these freedoms also shows a determination and desire to continue to the golden goal of liberty and justice for all.  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Are we there yet? No. Are we abandoning the pursuit? That is the question that we all must answer. And, personally, I would rather try to accomplish that here rather than any other locale in the world.