preface
Return to Common Sense
July 4, 2010
Section: Welcome – Preface
“I am proud to be an
American, and proud of American history and accomplishments!”
“The position of the
Americans is quite exceptional, and it may be believed that no democratic
people will ever be placed in a similar one.” Alexis de
Tocqueville.
Philosophy
(Background, Issues, Objectives):
As far as I am concerned, the USA is the
best country in the world. I am proud of its history, and what it has
accomplished. I do recognize that this country is not perfect, since nothing is
in this world. I know that history records mistakes that have been made, and
things could have been done differently (with their own unforeseen
consequences). However I reject the apologists who use hindsight to evaluate
history without historical context which only creates unjustified guilt and embarrassment.
American people are basically good, moral,
individualists who also are proud of this country. Through history American
intentions were good, but some of the results were not what was expected.
Americans also recognize that our brand of government is not perfect, but
better than the alternatives. Our history records that our government was
created as a reaction to poor English governance, and was crafted as a new form
of government different than any other that existed as the time. Our Founders
used common sense and a moral clarity
to create this new form of government.
The most visible measure of American exceptionalism and success is the continued press of
immigration. Further proof is provided by the international trend towards multi-party
democracies across the globe. Continued foreign investment in our nation is
another indirect indicator of confidence and approval of the American dream.
In my opinion this country is losing its
moral clarity and common sense
approach to governing, and needs to return to these fundamental principles in
both domestic and foreign policies.
Principles:
Who am I?
- I am
conservative, moderate, liberal, independent, and libertarian.
- I leave it to
the reader to identify my principles and approach on any given issue.
I reject the use of labels, since they
shoehorn people into inconvenient stereotypes that frequently mask important
nuances.
- I welcome feedback
on what I have written.
- I also welcome
pragmatic ideas how to solve some of America’s problems
Recommendations:
Review each of the Return to Common
Sense issue areas:
- Philosophy (background,
issues, objectives).
- Principles (basis).
- Recommendations
(needed changes).
- References
(source list).
Read “Views on the News” every week:
- Read these selected
references to understand the source of many of the ideas.
o
American Daily @ www.americandaily.com
o
The American Magazine @ www.american.com
o
The American Spectator @ www.spectator.org
o
American Thinker @ www.americanthinker.com
o
FrontPage Magazine @ www.frontpagemag.com
o
The Heritage Foundation @ www.heritage.org
o
Human Events Online @ www.humanevents.com
o
Intellectual Conservative @ www.intellectualconservative.com
o
Investors Business Daily @ www.ibdeditorials.com
o
National Review Online @ www.ntionalrview.com
o
News Max Magazine @ www.newsmax.com
o
Real Clear Markets @ www.realclearmarkets.com
o
Real Clear Politics @ www.realclearpolitics.com
o
Town Hall @ www.townhall.com
o
The Weekly Standard @ www.weeklystandard.com
- Write me to
comment on my conclusions and recommendations.
References:
“America
– The Last Best Hope Volume I” by William J. Bennett published
by Thomas Nelson, 2006.
“America
– The Last Best Hope Volume II” by William J. Bennett published
by Thomas Nelson, 2007.
“What’s Right About America”
by Herman Cain dated August 3, 2005 published at http://www.hermancain.com/news/press-opinion-080305.asp
.
“Who
Believes in American Exceptionalism?” by
Dennis Prager dated November 1, 2005 published by
Front Page Magazine at http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Printable.asp?ID=20037
.
“What’s
Great About America” by Dinesh D’Souza dated February 23, 2006 published by The
Heritage Foundation at http://www.heritage.org/Research/PoliticalPhilosophy/upload/94355_1.pdf
.
“American
Exceptionalism” by James Q. Wilson dated
October 2, 2006 published by The American Spectator on http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=10421
.
“Rediscovering
American Values this Christmas” by Newt Gingrich dated December 22,
2006 published by Human Events Online at http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=18628
.
“I
Remember” by Fred Thompson dated May 25, 2007 published by Town Hall
at http://www.townhall.com/columnists/FredThompson/2007/05/25/i_remember
.
“The
American Dream” by Carolyn Hileman dated
August 9, 2007 published by American Daily at http://www.americandaily.com/article/19876
.
“Bet on
America” by Joel Achenbach dated September 2, 2007 published by
Washington Post at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101468_pf.html
.
“What’s
wrong with America?” by Carolyn Hileman
dated November 3, 2007 published by American Daily at http://www.americandaily.com/article/20804
.
“America’s
Standing in the World” by Alan Caruba dated
November 3, 2007 published by American Daily at http://www.americandaily.com/article/21119
.
“Resisting
the smear of a ‘tainted legacy’” by Michael Medved dated December 5, 2007 published by Town Hall at http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MichaelMedved/2007/12/05/resisting_the_smear_of_a_tainted_legacy
.
“Understanding
American Exceptionalism” by Katlyn Bowman dated April 28, 2008 published by The
American Magazine at http://www.american.com/archive/2008/april-04-08/understanding-american-exceptionalism
.
“Stop
Apologizing for Being an American” by John Hawkins dated May 2, 2008
published by Town Hall at http://www.townhall.com/columnists/JohnHawkins/2008/05/02/stop_apologizing_for_being_an_american
.
“An
American in Washington” by Jeffrey Lord dated June 24, 2008 published
by The American Spectator at http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=13414
.
“STILL
a Nationalist?” by J.D. Longstreet dated April 14, 2010 published by
American Daily at http://americandaily.com/index.php/article/3354
.
“Polls
on Patriotism and Military Service” by Karlyn
Bowman and Andrew Rugg dated June 2010 published by
American Enterprise Institute at http://www.aei.org/docLib/PollsPatriotismMilitaryService2010.pdf
.
