THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Volume V, Issue # 301, December 17, 2003
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Government Committed to & Acting in Accord with Conservative Principles
Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity
AMERICA, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!
By Steven M. Farrell
One day in mid-October, 2003, I was tuned into a national radio talk show that has a reputation for being straightforward. A caller, who
displayed himself at once as a racist and an anti-American, was asked by the host, "If things are as bad here as you say they are, then
why aren't you living over there?" The man refused to answer. The host pressed. The man still refused to answer, while continuing to
rant against America. The host pressed again. No response, more hate-filled ranting. The host finally hung up on the un-American bigot.
The answer that this mean-spirited, ungrateful man refused to admit to himself and to others was obvious. He lived here because things
were better. He didn't live elsewhere, because he wouldn't dare. Once one has tasted of American liberty and prosperity, who wants to
live anywhere else? Sure, each of us have a list of gripes about the United States of America, some of them legitimate; but have we
counted our blessings lately?
Thomas Jefferson, writing to Colonel Monroe, from Paris in June of 1785, noted: "I sincerely wish you may find it convenient to come
here; the pleasure of the trip will be less than you expect, but the utility greater. It will make you adore your own country, its soil, its
climate, its equality, liberty, laws, people, and manners. My God! how little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are
in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy. I confess I had no idea of it myself. While we shall see multiplied instances
of Europeans going to live in America, I will venture to say, no man now living will ever see an instance of an American removing to
settle in Europe, and continuing there. Come, then, and see the proofs of this, and, on your return, add your testimony to that of every
thinking American, in order to satisfy our countrymen how much it is their interest to preserve, uninfected by contagion, those
peculiarities in their governments and manners, to which they are indebted for those blessings." (1)
Today, it is fashionable to speak of Europe as our model, or of the need for a Socialist international Utopia as our goal, when we really
ought to be reflecting on how blessed we are to live here, how superior our political principles are, how important it is for us to
understand how they once worked and may yet work if we study them, sustain them, promote them, and discover new applications for
them, the sort of which will make life even better.
These things and others, we ought to do; and perhaps, do this one thing more: spend a few weeks, a few months, or a few years over
in Europe, or Asia, or Africa, as Jefferson advised. Once we have done that, let's see how loudly and proudly we sing "God Bless
America."
FOOTNOTE:
1. Bergh, Albert Ellery, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson," Volume V, p. 21.
More on American Patriotism & National Identity
Steven M. Farrell is Associate Professor of Political Economy at George Wythe College, a columnist and pundit for NewsMax
and the Sierra Times, a widely published research writer, the former managing editor of Right Magazine, and the author
of two books--one an inspirational novel, Dark Rose, and the other a non-fiction work, , which explores
that difficult question, ‘What is the proper role of religion and morality in public life?’
Prior to his career in writing, Steve served 12 years in the United States Air Force as a communications security manager and controller,
received a bachelors degree from the University of New York’s, Regents College (now Excelsior), worked four years in the public school
system, and spent ten years in direct sales.
One of the more popular columnists on the Internet, Steve is best known for his faithful and thoughtful defenses of the United States
Constitution, Judeo-Christian morality, and honest-to-goodness, non-partisan politics.
Residing in Henderson, Nevada, Farrell is available for interviews and speaking engagements.
Copyright 2003 SierraTimes.Com
Reprinted with Permission of SierraTimes.Com
Reprinted from SierraTimes.Com
October 29, 2003
SierraTimes.Com
URL:
http://www.SierraTimes.com
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