America! It's Time We've Moved On
Posted: Sunday, December 20, 2009
by David Tanguay
"There is as yet no civilized society, but only a society in the process of becoming civilized. There is as yet no civilized nation, but only nations in the process of becoming civilized. From this standpoint, we can now speak of a collective task of humankind. The task of humanity is to build a genuine civilization." Felix Alder
America has always been the role model for the world i.e. all nations have held a great deal of respect and admiration for the way we as Americans have lived by the laws of our constitution. Movies are viewed on television starring the great performers of yesterday who are viewed by the people of other countries. I remember when I was in Japan I watched an episode of "The Beverly Hillbillies" on television the only difference was the language was translated into Japanese.
As we Americans live our lives without the fear of being abused for our beliefs and have the rights to speak our minds is what makes our nation respected by other nations. However, there has always been hostility with one another for although we have the right to believe what we want to believe our beliefs may disagree with the beliefs of others.
This is how conflicts may occur within us there are many who rebel against our way of life and are in search for a better way of existence. In the 60s, the whole human race not only in this country but also all over the world was in rebellion many young people as well as the old who wanted change in their country.
Our constitution has served us well from the beginning of its drafting and over two centuries, it had the proper laws to keep law and order prevalent through the years. Wars were fought in order to preserve it. Many have died defending the land they truly loved. The excerpt below by Thomas Jefferson clearly shows us that even our founding fathers could envision this day when change was quite evident.
"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors." Thomas Jefferson
This Article has been viewed 1,028 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)I remember the 60s well, they were cool, man! Also, didn't know that Jefferson used the word "enlightened!"
Good article, Dave.
Best.............ePlease log in to respond to this comment.If you thought the 60s were cool e, you just couldn't see where we were heading in those days.Please log in to respond to this comment.
America is not a "role model." Please tell me, how come it took this "great" nation up until the 1960s to allow the constitution to apply to African Americans (when it came to a simple thing like voting) even though the constitution had been in existence many years prior to 1965? We had to force the military to allow children to enter white schools in the 1950s... we weren't allowed to vote until the 1960s...This country prides itself on its "civilization" but the reality is, the United States is not really a "free" country, nor is it power of example or role model- other than how to be racist and elite. The U.S. is just as "barbaric" as the middle eastern countries it accuses of barbarism. I'm really disappointed in this article.Please log in to respond to this comment.Shalisha, believe me I hear exactly what you are saying. Our country had its many flaws in the past. However in the early 70s a revolution was taking place in this country and the whole world watched us reach peace and understanding amongst ourselves.Please log in to respond to this comment.Shalisha, we really aren't free. Look at how our last president, G.W. Bush systematically disassembled the Constitution in order to maintain a war for profit in Iraq. And the profit, we should remember, was not for most Americans, but for a few Texas oil barons and their partners.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Gregory and David. Yes, I agree with you both. We are not truly free - although we've made progress, we've got a LONG way to go. Thanks for a provocative article!Please log in to respond to this comment.
Nicely done. Sure, we have problems and at the same time we have opportunities. We need to get going and get moving! The problem, as always, is partisanship and entitlement. Once we lick that, we'll be unstoppable. Thanks for sharing this.Please log in to respond to this comment.Yeah Mike, the conservative right still has the most power over all of us. They must bend a little to make way for a new order. Only don't they see this themselves or are they the ones who are blind?Please log in to respond to this comment.
hi david,this was a good article.if we want to live in theUnited states of America,we need to reach out to otherswith kindness and altruism.thanks for sharing your thoughts,my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting Susan, yes we must reach out to others only not only here in the land of plenty but also to those in need help abroad.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Great article David, and heartfelt. I agree that America has numerous problems and numerous instances of outright brutality and injustice but I believe things are changing for the better. Not because we have better government but because I have faith in the human spirit in the essense of what that means. A lot more work needs doing but for me, I think we, the people, are up for it. Always darkest before the dawn.BlessingsPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting Goshwin, I too have faith in the human spirit.Please log in to respond to this comment.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.