I recently ran across the American Creed on Facebook. Thought it would be good to share for those who’ve missed it. I still remember people refusing the ‘dole’ when I was a kid; pride in their self-sufficiency. Sadly, that America seems to be lost. For those of us that comprise the ‘remnant’ of that ethos, our responsibility is to teach it to our children and grandchildren, and to anyone else who will listen. By the measure of this creed, there are precious few real Americans left in America.
“I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon. I seek opportunity to develop whatever talents God gave me – not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.
I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenge of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout.
I will never cower before any earthly master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations, and to face the world boldly and say – ‘This, with God’s help, I have done.’
All this is what it means to be an American.”
