Defying American Tradition and Principle

In regards to the US economic crisis, to be put bluntly, is the sum total of the arrogance, hubris, greed and folly of what Newt Gingrich refers to as “predatory politicians”, “predatory” lenders, and Wall Street brokers. These conditions are fostered by a complacent and at times apathetic American public, who has become immersed into an abyss of self induced ignorance, narcissism and an ever-growing sense of entitlement. It is the “predatory politicians” however are the one’s leading the charge and are the true enablers of the guys on Wall Street. These law makers include Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, and Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama. The Bush Administration has also failed to look out for the folks like it should. One of the problems with Bush the Elder was that he was so out of touch with the general public and his son has followed suit with that tradition. John McCain to his credit is documented in the Congressional Record as making a sincere attempt to rein in Fanny and Freddie and avoid a housing crisis that would burden the US taxpayer. The US Government has allowed interest groups, foreign lobbies and agents of influence receiving taxpayer dollars such as ACORN, to run amok and trample the sacred political and economic rights of the US taxpayers and citizens. As a result of these conditions, which have slowly crept onto the American political and economic landscape in the last four and a half decades, the traditions and foundational principles that define the United States and the Great American Experiment in general are at very serious risk of being transformed into an entity that will be not only alien to traditional Americans but may be irreversible within the realm of American political discourse.

America’s First Socialist Experiment

In order to understand the rapid degeneration of the American economic and political foundations, it is important to briefly review the historical record outlining the origins of those principles and traditions. In the 1620’s, the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts at first attempted to carry out a communal form of economic exchange that resembled a primitive form of Socialism. The Colonists led by William Bradford however found that such methods failed to produce the necessary output to survive let alone thrive. Bradford made such notations in his journal and found that allowing to Colonists to market goods among themselves and the local Indians in a free market system, production immediately increased to levels beyond subsistence. As a result, America’s first capitalistic venture had trumped the constraints of the Socialist system setting the precedent that would eventually shed its mercantilist constructs a century and a half later.

Seldon’s Penny

Meanwhile in England, during the reign of Charles I, Parliamentarian and respected barrister, John Seldon presented arguments that connected property rights and taxation. Seldon made the comment, “My penny is as much my own as the King’s ten pence is his; if the King may defend his ten pence, why not Seldon his penny?” In other words, the property of all Englishmen is just as sacred as that of the King’s. This argument was presented over a century later by Colonial law makers protesting the Stamp Act.

Locke’s Contribution

Another important American tradition founded in both English and American and Constitutional law draws a direct connection between political society and property rights. In John Locke’s Two Treatises on Government expresses the inseparable connection between property and personal liberty; as both of these tangible and intangible products are one in the same. In classic Anglo-Saxon tradition, the view at the time was held that the difference between slavery and serfdom and that of a free man was the level at which the government infringes upon a persons liberty and his right to accrue and retain property. As a result, the accumulation of wealth does not justify an increased level of infringement imposed by the government.

Faith + Morality = Liberty

The tradition of American Liberty is also inseparable to religious faith; a component that was also tied indirectly to nearly every aspect of daily life. French historian Alexis de Tocqueville who spent much of his adult life in the United States during the early 1800’s is quoted, “ Liberty cannot be established without morality and morality without faith….Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other” De Tocqueville draws direct comparison to his native France who at the time abandoned religious faith en masse resulting in a politically and socially fragmented nation. In regards to the relationship between government and religion, respected author and American historian Robert Middlekauf states in his book The Glorious Cause, that an overwhelming consensus of intellectuals in the 17^th and 18^th century ----“generally agreed that political society had its ultimate origins in the Divine Will” These same scholars also understood that government alone could not restrain the passions and default behaviors of the masses, that when unbridled, would result in chaos and political anarchy. Only the firm belief of a higher power coupled with holding accountable one’s behavior to the Almighty could keep man’s inhumanity to man in check. Therefore, in the eyes of an American in the late 18^th Century, the concept of a separation of church and state would not only be alien but an intolerable imposition of a government that sought to establish itself in the role of tyrants and the repressive conditions she sought to escape in the first place.

America’s fall from Grace

The past two generations of Americans have experienced a swell of abundance that has been unprecedented in world history. They have not witnessed a Great Depression, rationing, Nazi tyranny, or the brinksmanship of the Cold War The Americans at the lowest rung of the socio-economic totem pole are more likely to live in a sound structure, have air conditioning, an automobile, a washer, dryer, microwave, cell phone, health care (Medicaid) and access to public education, than the average person in Western Europe.  However, predatory politicians have found that it is possible to pander for votes by bribing its constituency from the coffers of the public treasury. This is primarily the modus operandi of the Democratic Party (the Entitlement Party) however Republicans have championed Earmark Spending and “pork barrel’ legislation at unprecedented levels. The cronyism on both sides of the aisle has sold out the public interest to lobbyists and special interest to the point treason. I say that because of blatant and deliberate actions by members of Congress such as Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd and others have precipitated the current crisis and have compromised US National Security by placing its economy in the most vulnerable position since the Great Depression. It is highly likely that when the history of this crisis is written sometime in the near future, it will be revealed that members of our own government, conspiring with other agents of influence such as George Soros, power brokers in Dubai, Russia and China have manipulated the markets in such a way as to achieve a desirable political outcome for the Democratic Party in the 2008 Presidential and Congressional elections.

While the economy is a mess, the election of Barack Obama by the American people would be more likely be the result of the complacency, apathy, self induced ignorance and sense of entitlement that its citizenry have become more comfortable with the last thirty-five years. These conditions have been fostered by the gradual erosion of the nations collective state of spirituality and faith which has been endlessly bombarded by the ACLU, atheist organizations, the pervasive influence of Marxist/Socialist doctrine in the US public and college education system and the support of the high courts that legislate by judicial fiat.  Americans have become comfortable with “outsourcing” their problems or passing them along to someone else. Rather than fight the day to day battles they would rather someone else do it for them; the government, the mainstream media, etc. Summarizing Edward Gibbon, “Romans did not want to be Romans anymore” and the citizenry of the United States of America have followed suit whereas Americans quit being Americans. Like the “boiling frog” analogy, many Americans have become comfortable with the government solving their problems. As a result they have given up many of their freedoms and personal independence.

Tyler and de Tocqueville

This idea is supported by 18^th Century Scottish historian Alexander Tyler who supposedly penned the concept of the “Cycle of the Body Politic”, where civilizations go through stages ranging from slavery to freedom to abundance to apathy to dependence and back to slavery. He is often credited at stating that democracy as a permanent form of government will exist only until its citizenry realizes it can secure benefits from the treasury. Alexis de Tocqueville made a similar observation saying, “The American republic will endure until the day Congress discovers it can bribe the public with the public’s money.”  For many traditional Americans, it was unfathomable that this state of affairs was even a remote possibility in the United States and oft en scoffed at such a scenario. However , it is clear that the last two generations of Americans in general are not equipped emotionally or educationally to understand the consequences of tolerating the subversion of the US Constitution, America’s Economic and Social infrastructure by the radical left wing minority that is represented by the current leadership in Congress. Equally as clear, is the recurring theme of “redistributing wealth” presented by Barack Obama firmly places his and his Congressional cronies in the Socialist camp. What today’s Generation does not realize is that Socialism is simply Communism-Lite; which should put the fear of the Almighty in to everyone who wishes to preserve the nation founded by George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Any assessment to the contrary would be pure folly to any traditional American and/or reputable academician.

It is a disturbing thought that a significantly larger portion of Americans are comfortable with the “Socialist label” without having any idea of the implications that such policies would bring. Once again, de Tocqueville discusses this issue with clarity, “Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference; while Democracy seeks equality through liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude” According to the Cycle of the Body Politic, once forty percent or more of the populace are 50% dependent on the government’s largesse, it is a very short ride back to bondage and slavery. The Democrat’s goal to reach those numbers could possibly come to fruition by the year 2012 if their candidate is elected. They only have about ten percentage points to go. This feat could be easily attained by giving drivers licenses to illegal aliens; an event that could change the dynamics of the US political landscape so profoundly, that it could  quite possibly never recover to its former self. Two more liberal Supreme Court Justices would complete the Democratic trifecta and eliminate any balance of power and any sizable opposition.

Quite possibly America’s last chance

Should the Republican Party win the Presidency (about 30% chance as of October 31), they would have four more years to turn things around and adopt the Conservative principles the party was founded on. A continuation of the Bush Era would finish it off for good. True reform with true accountability along with fiscal responsibility and actually achieving energy independence among other lofty goals that never get off the ground are mandatory accomplishments if the party hopes to survive. People like Governors Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindal must lead the way for the GOP’s future in paving the way for government reform.

However, it may be too late with Obama’s lead firmly entrenched as it is. Remember the socialist agenda has never been one to go down into that good night. Just look at Venezuela. The only way to change that government is by a bloody revolution that would cost hundreds of thousands of lives. When John Adams and Thomas Jefferson passed each other after the election of 1800; one going out and one going in, the world held its breath and in amazement they gazed at a first time political event in world history; the peaceful handing over of executive power from one party to another. The Democrats won’t give up power next time without serious confrontation and will do what they can, like Hugo Chavez to maintain it. Traditional Americans must be ready for when that day comes to take back their country and restore the original life given to it by the Founding Fathers.

James T. Morris holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Intelligence from American Military University and a Bachelors Degree in Social Studies Education and History from West Virginia University. He is an intelligence analyst, writer, and lifelong secondary school educator in the Florida Public School System as well as owning a private education company. His column, The Strategic Outlook discusses issues of National Security, Geopolitics, and Education Issues in the US, can be viewed on www.townhall.com .