© 2013 Michael Swickard, Ph.D. “We have not passed on what it means to be an American to the next generation.” Dennis Prager on the biggest threat to our country
When people ask my fears for the future I quote Dennis Prager. My future and the future of my country are the same. But the America to which I was born is not the same country today. My grandparents would not recognize this country. Over the last fifty years our unique American values have been intentionally destroyed.
These next generations have not been taught what it means to be an American. They are not conversant with the American value systems of their grandparents. Therefore, lacking a grounding in American values, they feel free to adopt values from Europe or Asia.
Some young people say they love this country but do they love the founding values? They cannot if they are not taught those values. Instead, Americans have become a people obsessed with their own needs and wants with no purpose other than to vote themselves prosperity by taking from others. There is no longer the voice of John Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
Young people look astonished since taking from others to give to themselves is the reason for government. There are no citizen obligations. Each election is a contest of who will give the most for votes.
Make no mistake; the founding values of our country changed the world for the better. Without these unique American values there is no reason to see this country as exceptional. This country can still change for the better the other countries of our world. It is the unique set of our values that only the United States of America has, or perhaps had.
For that reason I cannot see how this nation can survive much longer given it no longer has a purpose to survive. From the first day of our country it was clear to the other countries that our country had a set of guiding principles and purposes unlike any other country.
Our country has not always been a shining example of the values set at the founding. We are a country of humans with human foibles. However, in comparison, this country has been and is a shining guide to billions of people who were and are under bondage by dictators. As we were the first country with liberty we showed the way for others. Liberty for all is a central value of our country.
When I was a child the purpose of our country was understood. Also there were obligations each American had to our country. I grew up understanding the sacrifices made so I could have liberty and the obligations of a free country. I understood that America became America by the ideals of personal liberty, responsibility and that our country was and is guided by a higher power.
Years ago I had a clear picture of our country as to purpose: protect the world and ourselves from evil. Live a God-Fearing life and to make sure this country gave equal opportunity to every citizen. During my lifetime the words, “…Under God…” were added to the Pledge of Allegiance.
Starting in the 1960s, however, came the attack from within on American values. Over these last five decades God is no longer welcome in our schools and workplaces. God is no longer centric to our country. We did not seem to notice this loss of a core value in our society. It changed without a vote and without the consent of the governed. Next went our liberty. A coincidence?
During the Civil War President Abraham Lincoln wrote: “...I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord’s side.”
Finally, in the last decade liberal American politicians and the liberal media have urged our leaders to let the United Nations absorb the United States of American into their international organization and to change our values to theirs.
That, as they say, will be the end of the United States of America.
Dr. Michael Swickard hosts the syndicated radio talk show News New Mexico on six to nine a.m. Monday - Friday on a number of New Mexico radio stations and through streaming. Email: michael@swickard.com
