BETWEEN THE LINES: Proud to be an American
Lee Greenwood’s song "God Bless the USA" still brings moisture to my eyes when I hear his lyrics. The United States, for all its flaws, remains a great country — not as free as it once was, but still a symbol of freedom. The Statue of Liberty, poised at the entrance to New York Harbor, still welcomes back its citizens from their travels and immigrants coming ashore looking for a better way of life.
The decline of American institutions does not bode well for the rest of the world. The land of the free and the home of the brave twice bailed out the world in the 20th century. When various perils strike around the world, it is the United States that consistently comes to the aid of the afflicted.
I still adhere to the principle of American exceptionalism. Although we have benefited from being born in the right place at the right time, America has become symbolic with freedom and economic opportunity. Although our current history books downplay the role of religion, it does not change the fact that our nation was founded on Christian principles and that the majority who crafted our Constitution had a strong belief in God.
We have had our share of flaws as well. Our treatment of the native Indians who occupied the lands was rather shabby. Nothing stood in the way of Manifest Destiny. The land, at times, was pillaged and the buffalo herd nearly depleted.
Our stubbornness to rid ourselves of the institution of slavery was certainly a black eye on our résumé, and we certainly did not lead the worldwide abolitionist movement.
Capitalism had its ills such as child labor, unsanitary working conditions, safety violations and long working hours, which all were too prevalent. Over time, most of these evils were corrected. As it is said, “One cannot throw out the baby with the bath water.” In turn, the free market has provided an infinite number of inventions and opportunities to create wealth and prosperity. However, there are no guarantees that come with it.
Karl Marx saw the flaws of capitalism, but failed to recognize its early stages would undergo change. His utopian vision and the socialist alternatives that were to follow have been proven to be colossal failures in which the real winners are those who govern and not the people they supposedly represent.
Once the governed realize government is a zero-sum game in which those in power pick the winners and the losers, the gig will be up for those in power. Government creates no wealth, it merely takes from some and transfers it to those entities or people it favors. In this exchange, the majority of taxpayers lose.
Our forefathers understood this, and that is why they created a republic with an elaborate system of checks and balances to guard against government’s misuse of power.
As we celebrate our nation’s independence, let us not forget the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces. Soldiers do not create policy, nor do they debate it. They merely follow orders, and they are America’s finest. Let us pray for their safe return.
Staying at the top of any endeavor requires constant vigilance and presents a great challenge. Resting on one’s laurels and relishing past accomplishments is a recipe for failure.
So happy 235th birthday to the greatest country the world has ever known. May God continue to bless us with his grace for we certainly haven’t earned it by our own merit.
Laughlin is a Christian Libertarian. He is an economist, teacher, father, husband and most recently a grandfather. He has written a weekly column for The Tribune for 12 years. He and his wife Gina reside in Meadowlakes. To contact him, email ablaughlin@nctv.com. He is an independent columnist, not a staff member, and his views do not necessarily reflect those of The Tribune or its parent company.