THE AMERICAN CRISIS: TURNING FULL CIRCLE

In December 1776, Thomas Paine released The American Crisis, the first of a series of pamphlets outlining the dire straits the American independence movement was in. Paine wrote in the first paragraph, “These are times that try men’s souls” American independence was jeopardized by the poor morale and state of the Continental Army, a lack of food, supplies and ordinance, disease and the waning spirit of a significant portion of American leadership. Britain felt confident at this time that they could crush the rebellion with a single blow that could be delivered at a time of General Howe’s choosing. As one of the coldest winters on record set in, Howe was in no hurry to route the “ragamuffin mob” of an army that was no doubt suffering from the travails of the immoderate weather and would wait until spring to begin their final offensive. Hunkering down in winter quarters was the custom for European militaries for centuries. General Howe, British Commander in Chief was certain that that his American counterpart (General Washington) was doing the same. In other words, conventional military wisdom would rule the day.

Paine knew Washington’s dilemma. He hurriedly produced The American Crisis with the hopes of bolstering the American soldier’s morale in order to keep the cause alive. Also in the first paragraph he states, “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered….What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value” Paine was aware that he was talking to men who had seen a great deal of death and hardship: men who had lived their lives by preparing for the worst. This struggle would be monumental and would require tremendous fortitude and perseverance in order to prevail. No doubt these Americans were physically up to the challenge. Yet despite this, both he and Washington knew that having that experience and durability might not be enough to keep the movement together.

The American people needed to know the consequences of failure and where the power of any American government truly lies. In no uncertain terms Paine’s inspiring words in that first paragraph provide the answer: “Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER," and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.”

Paine explains that the price of failure would be slavery and that the British government and its king by imposing unrepresented and unlimited taxation had already assumed the powers of the Almighty in levying arbitrary judgment upon its colonies. Paine suggests, as did other thinkers sympathetic to the cause, that the rights of man are bestowed by God and it is the American citizens who lend the power of governance to its representatives in order to secure and safeguard these blessings so that no man may take them away. The contract between God and man and that between citizens and their representatives are sacred trusts that must be upheld on all sides. Since God is perfect, there is no debate on that end. However when the sacred trust between the citizens and those who govern them is fractured, it is the right and might I say duty of the citizenry to shed those chains of bondage and construct a new covenant that reestablishes liberty and freedom from tyranny.

General Washington constantly interacted with his troops during that difficult time as Paine’s words were read to the troops bivouacked in their winter quarters. Many of them wanted to go home yet many stayed despite the adversity because they realized the price of failure. As Washington pondered his next move which could also be his last, he realized that emerging victorious was not negotiable. While dining with Dr. Benjamin Rush, he kept notating on dozens of small bits of paper, “Victory or Death” His decision to attack the Hessians who were garrisoned at Trenton on Christmas Eve could determine America’s Destiny. There would be one chance for the cause of liberty and no other. It was now or never.

Washington employed unconventional tactics in defeating the Hessians at Trenton on Christmas Day and as a result paved the way toward restoring the Continental Army’s confidence and delivering a morale shattering blow to the British. It was at this time when Washington n came to the realization that he did not have to defeat the British head to head in large pitched battles but rather keep his Army intact, alive and out of the British juggernauts reach. In other words, the British had to win and Washington simply had to not lose and remain a thorn in the side of the British. The longer Washington and his army stayed alive, the stronger the resistance grew to the point where the British saw that their efforts were acts of futility.

On October 19, 1781 the world officially witnessed the power of America’s desire to be free as the British General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown Virginia. Since then for over 220 years, Americans have enjoyed the blessings of liberty that had been brought about and documented by a series of trials and errors that eventually led to the US Constitution and the US Bill of Rights. As a Constitutional Republic, the United States, although not perfect, set about a path travelled by no other nation on earth and brought forth a civilization that even might Rome could not match. The United States became a Nation of Nations, Primus Inter Pares (first among peers).

Coming about full circle

Fast forward to 2009, where the American Federal Government has undergone the most radical transfer of power in its history threatens to rob its citizenry from the very liberty the Founding Fathers fought so hard to obtain. Its citizenry has fallen victim to the condition described by Thomas Paine in the first paragraph of The American Crisis; “What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value”. Affluencein the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s brought about complacency in the 1980’s and 90’s.Complacency then brought apathy by the turn of the century. This procession of events is commonly referred to as the Cycle of the Body Politic that was believed to be promoted by noted Scottish Historian Alexander Tyler in the mid 1780’s. The election of Barack Obama in 2008 ushered in the Age of Dependency whereas a significant portion of the population had voluntarily gave up their liberties for government security. Although one can blame the Far Left for engineering the current state of affairs, it the American people that allowed this “political fungus” to grow beneath their feet.In otherwords, US citizens have forgotten the price of freedom and have allowed nefarious forces seeded in the far left to take control and permanently alter the very fabric of American social, political and economic foundational principles.

Since the Age of Affluence starting in the 1950’s, Americans became politically complacent, economically unaccountable and socially irresponsible. By the 1960’s in many respects the US citizenry as a whole felt that it had “finally arrived” at a place to where it no longer had to worry about the same concerns our ancestors had. By the 1970’s cracks in the shining armor had begun to show and we began to ignore the very political and economic principles that made America a great country. By the 1980’s a short revival of sorts had undergone during the Reagan years that had shown great contrast to the Carter and Nixon terms. However, it was short lived largely due to its dependence on the dynamic leadership of the charismatic Reagan. His successor, George H.W. Bush was just another out of touch politician while his successor, Bill Clinton represented many of the elements that were wrong with US politics; narcissism, hubris, greed and moral cretinism. Bush the Younger proved no more in touch than his father and continued to expand upon the trend to increase the size and scope of government.

Barack Obama and the New Radical (and more dangerous) Left

Outside of President Reagan, we have basically been dealing with arrogant, out of touch and corrupt politicians. The election of Barack Obama in November 2008 brought in a whole new era of American politician. Obama’s personal history indicates radical Muslim and Marxist influences that primarily guide his political and economic philosophy. There is no evidence that proves otherwise. A lifetime of alliances, friendships and partnerships with the most radical elements in the United States clearly point to his philosophical framework. Obama is enabled by a equally radical Democratic Congress that rejects traditional American principles and values and has set a new political and economic course that will make this country unrecognizable to our fathers and grandfathers.

Many traditional Americans have seen the writing on the wall. Those who have read history with an objective lens know that Marxists, once in power, never relinquish it by electoral fiat but rather by force. The Marxist mantra is “diplomacy is delivered from the barrel of a gun” Marxists only believe in one sided debate and will never admit they are wrong on any issue. Marxism, Socialism and Communism are interchangeable terms and are based on principles that defy human nature, economic principle and broad political compatibility. Winston Churchill once stated that one cannot argue with a Communist but rather that one has to be ready to employ the use of deadly force should they threaten to impose or compromise one’s sovereignty, national security and interests.

Socialism in the US has taken a unique form in that it incorporates elements fused from a variety of past sources including National Socialism, Maoism, and French Socialism and blended with the political correctness that is promoting Muslim fundamentalist influence within the government fabric. If anyone doubts that this exists, try publicly expressing negative views about China or Islamic terrorism and see how far your career in the US Federal Government goes.

The last one hundred years of human history has, without a doubt, proven (to any reasonable and logical thinking human) that the philosophy of Marxism in any form is not successful in promoting economic engine of prosperity or the general welfare of the people. However, Constitutional Republics embracing representative democracy, limited government, and free market economics have always worked. Yet American politicians, especially Democrats continue to bring out these old tired ideas that are not worth the paper they are printed on. In a debate with Governor Jimmy carter about nationalized healthcare, Republican Candidate Ronald Reagan turned to Carter and said, “Governor, there you go again” In the 1970’s, people in general still “got it” and understood the ills of socialism, however two generations later, a poorly educated and complacent American public is more inclined to accept government assistance than ever. 

In the last few years, complacency has been replaced in large part by apathy, as US Congressional approval ratings hover around ten percent yet the same people get reelected. America as a whole has either forgotten its way or simply does not care. Ignorance and apathy are the two most powerful weapons in the Radical Left’s arsenal. Obama and his minions are attacking American liberties, values, principles, and traditions on multiples fronts. Threats to the First, Second, Fourth and Tenth Amendments have been launched by the White House and Congress in the form of anti gun legislation, the “Fairness Doctrine”, nationalized healthcare, nationalized banking, taking power away from the states and private businesses and playing God by ignoring the rights of life to the unborn. The “Card Check” legislation proposed, the leveling of arbitrary punitive taxes, and “cap and trade” legislation will serve to enslave the American people and crush American entrepreneurial spirit. A forty five year assault on the American public schools and colleges, have taken a serious toll on our youth who have been brainwashed by the liberal tripe that has eroded their sense of national identity (1). And, the “generational theft” that will be the result of unbridled spending that both parties are guilty of, will serve to relinquish our national sovereignty to dictatorships like China and Saudi Arabia who own trillions of dollars of our debt.

America’s only hope to retrieve its greatness as a nation is for a leader based in traditional American principles and values to step up, stand tall, rally the American people from the grass roots and fight for America’s soul. The American people have to come to realize that the only alternative to victory is slavery for us, our children and grandchildren. Countering this radical transformation must come quickly because time is running out. A reformed Republican Party must make substantial gains against the Democrats in 2010 and take back the Presidency in 2012 if the United States as we know is to make a recovery.

The loyal opposition must be genuine in making reforms and understand that they work for US, WE THE PEOPLE, and not the lobbyists and foreign interests. A large segment of the American electorate will not take this lying down and watch their country go down like Western Europe or some banana republic. US citizens are making a statement as Tea Parties are cropping up all over the country, illustrating how angry traditional Americans are about the conduct of the national government (2). The White House and Congress have been enhancing their power at our expense. People like Sarah Palin, who are true reformers must be embraced by her party and not held in contempt by those who feel threatened by reform and fiscal responsibility. How else will the Republican Party create separation between themselves and the radical, spend happy democrats?

In summary

For George Washington, adversity was the canvas from which his masterpiece of greatness emerged. Perhaps the Civil War and the Second World War are proof that America is at its best when its back is against the wall. Let us certainly hope so. This effort will take great courage from millions of informed and committed citizens who understand the consequences of failure (3).  But I believe time is short and as John Adams once said; “Liberty, once lost, is lost forever”

Notes:.

1. An excellent examination of this subject is brought out in Mark Levin’s new best seller, Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto

2. Anyone living in or visiting the Naples Florida area can attend a Tax Day Tea Party on April 15, 2009 at these locations; Naples Bath and Tennis and at the corner of US 41 and Pine Ridge Road

3. All traditional Americans who want to stay informed of the important political events at the National level should check out the NEW MEDIA JOURNAL; a website that provides excellent news and analysis of the current state of affairs in the United States. 

James Morris has been an educator for over twenty three years. He received a Bachelors Degree in History/Social Studies from West Virginia University and a Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence from the Intelligence Studies Program at American Military University. His Blog The Strategic Outlook can be found at www.townhall.com that discusses a variety of topics including Defense, National Security, Intelligence issues, Education and US Politics. He lives with his wife and family in Southwest Florida