In my opinion, the touchstone of whether an individual is an American, rather than merely a resident of the United States, is whether that person wholeheartedly believes in the "American Dream." That the Declaration's unalienable rights and the rights protected in the Constitution and Bill of Rights are the foundation of our freedom and liberties is not up for compromise to promote some social fad. We must put even more of ourselves into protecting the rights of all than we spend demanding our own. Even those with whom we might disagree on other topics must be allowed to do so, up to the point that someone advocates restricting the distinctly American rights we speak of.
A moral compass is needed to support the American dream, regardless of the religion or lack thereof, because a purely pragmatic support of the American Dream is vulnerable to sophistry and cultural whims. Without a core set of principles, there can be no philosophical consistency. But that set must embrace and support all of the American Dream,, not just the parts with which one's philosophy finds agreement easy.
The American Dream embraces everyone who wants to live by the tenets that make it possible. We should do no less than give our all to make it work for all such.
... and in the four years since you first published the column, it's only gotten worse. Significantly worse. There is at least, a tiny glimmer of light in a somewhat increased awareness that we have a serious problem among some fraction of the population. In many, the perception is inchoate and still subject to misuse by articulate liars (scapegoating immigrants, drugs, etc.), but eventually one can hope that it will lead us to a better place.
In my opinion, the touchstone of whether an individual is an American, rather than merely a resident of the United States, is whether that person wholeheartedly believes in the "American Dream." That the Declaration's unalienable rights and the rights protected in the Constitution and Bill of Rights are the foundation of our freedom and liberties is not up for compromise to promote some social fad. We must put even more of ourselves into protecting the rights of all than we spend demanding our own. Even those with whom we might disagree on other topics must be allowed to do so, up to the point that someone advocates restricting the distinctly American rights we speak of.
A moral compass is needed to support the American dream, regardless of the religion or lack thereof, because a purely pragmatic support of the American Dream is vulnerable to sophistry and cultural whims. Without a core set of principles, there can be no philosophical consistency. But that set must embrace and support all of the American Dream,, not just the parts with which one's philosophy finds agreement easy.
The American Dream embraces everyone who wants to live by the tenets that make it possible. We should do no less than give our all to make it work for all such.
... and in the four years since you first published the column, it's only gotten worse. Significantly worse. There is at least, a tiny glimmer of light in a somewhat increased awareness that we have a serious problem among some fraction of the population. In many, the perception is inchoate and still subject to misuse by articulate liars (scapegoating immigrants, drugs, etc.), but eventually one can hope that it will lead us to a better place.