The following is an editorial by David M. Huntwork
For
over two hundred and thirty years the American Republic has weathered wars,
epidemics, hostile neighbors, worldwide conflicts, economic disasters, internal
struggles, and competing ideologies. Its birth was a long and desperate
struggle for independence against the strongest and most advanced military in
the world.
In
the War of 1812 its capitol was burned to the ground. It suffered the growing
pains of expansionism against hostile natives as well as unfriendly claims
and competition by Spain, France, Great Britain, and Mexico. It suffered
through a tragic and horribly bloody civil war that helped to define the idea
of federalism at the expense of states rights and ended once and for all the
national shame of slavery. It endured the rigors of industrialization and
eventually emerged as the most technologically advanced nation the world had
ever seen.
The
Republic weathered the stock market collapse and a national drought that sent
tens of millions into poverty and many thousands into starvation. And it
emerged from its humble origins to proclaim ‘manifest destiny’ and smash the
Spanish Empire, German imperialism, Japanese militarism, Italian fascism, the
horrors of National Socialism, and eventually the corrupt ideology of Soviet
communism. Its armies have faced the Chinese, the Mexicans, the Spanish, the
Germans, the Italians, the Japanese, the North Koreans, the Vietnamese, and the
petty tyrants of dozens of smaller countries and hot spots. Today it faces the
international enemy of Islamic fascism and jihadist fundamentalism.
America
has admittedly suffered imperfections and committed many mistakes and
miscalculations along the way. For all nations, like people, suffer shortfalls.
But through it all the United States has been a beacon of hope helping to point
the way towards personal freedom and opportunity. It has freed more people from
tyranny, been more generous monetarily, eliminated more evil, created more
representative governments and hope, championed more human rights, and been a
shining example of what can be right and true than any other nation or people
has ever done in the history of the world. It has given women more freedom and
opportunities than they ever had before. It ended the evil of slavery and
championed the revolutionary ideals that all men are equal before God. This
country has provided more opportunity, more hope, more peace, more wealth, and
more freedom than any other has dared to contemplate.
America
continues to struggle forward into a new century. It faces many challenges and
hurdles and a host of enemies, which increasingly attack and undermine it from
within. Multiculturism and Political Correctness, massive legal and illegal
immigration, cultural disintegration and decadence, globalism and statism, and
the abandonment of traditional morality and the family structure are all
controversies that it must face. Change is not always progress, and the
foundational principles of the Republic should never be cast aside.
As
the worlds only Superpower it must still face the evils that arise around the
globe, weather the never-ending naysayers who attack its predominant position
in Western Civilization, and deal with a resurgent Russia as well as a Red
China that is really just beginning to flex its political, military, and
economic muscle on the global stage.
The
Republic faces many problems but we should still have faith in its people,
history, ideals, and culture. It has overcome much in its two centuries plus of
existence and it will have much to overcome in the next two centuries to come.
It still remains that shining city on the hill and I thank God everyday that I
live in this country and I am eternally proud to call myself an American.
Take the time to appreciate the most powerful and promising country that has ever existed and be thankful for the freedoms that we still have the right to exercise on a daily basis. We still can, and need to insist upon, the right to assemble, the right to worship, and the right to debate and criticize. The right to raise our children as we see fit, the right to bear arms to protect our families and community, and the right to own property and a home. These simple things we often take for granted but the great mass of humanity in the world do not have the right to exercise these valued things that we are constitutionally guaranteed in America.
The
Republic may currently be in decline, but it is not dead. And if the Republic
and its ideals fall, remember there is nowhere else to go and no one else to
turn to. That alone makes it worth still worth fighting for and defending
against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
David Huntwork is a conservative activist, columnist, and the proud father of three daughters. The son, grandson, and great-grandson of Ministers of the Gospel he brings a unique blended background of theology and ideology to the great debates of the day. He believes that Faith, Family, and Freedom is the formula for success and the key to a good life and a healthy nation. David blogs at TheConservativeCitizen.com. You can contact him at Davehuntwork@juno.com.
David Huntwork is a conservative activist, columnist, and the proud father of three daughters. The son, grandson, and great-grandson of Ministers of the Gospel he brings a unique blended background of theology and ideology to the great debates of the day. He believes that Faith, Family, and Freedom is the formula for success and the key to a good life and a healthy nation. David blogs at TheConservativeCitizen.com. You can contact him at Davehuntwork@juno.com.
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