As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, partisan politics have complicated national celebrations, with Democrats reportedly opting out of festivities due to ongoing disputes. This division leads some to lament a perceived decline in national unity and a longing for a past era of consensus, though the 1976 bicentennial itself occurred during a tumultuous decade.
The current debates, though emotionally charged and alarmist in rhetoric, indicate that American politics remains active, suggesting the nation's future is far from predetermined. A central question for the anniversary is not merely survival, but what values the nation truly represents.
The Founder's Creed
The Declaration of Independence articulated a foundational belief system, stating that all persons "are created equal" and endowed with "unalienable" rights, including "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The document posited that government's purpose is to secure these rights, and that citizens have the right to alter or abolish a government that fails in this duty. This creed, often referred to as the Founder's Creed, underpinned the nation's fight for independence and was later invoked by Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg.
Questions arise regarding the practical application of these ideals. The vast disparities in wealth, for instance, challenge the notion of self-evident equality, and the vulnerability of rights to governmental and institutional overreach questions their inalienability. Some critics suggest the Founders' creed might have been a narrative to justify seizing power, questioning its foundational soundness.
However, the interpretation hinges on the meaning of "created equal." This phrase does not imply identical outcomes or interchangeability, but rather an initial state of unassailable equality within the human condition. The Founders believed this equality stemmed from a transcendental, or divine, source, where all individuals possess equal value and dignity in the eyes of a Creator, making these rights sacred and inalienable.
Redefining Democracy
Concerns are emerging about a movement seeking to redefine American democracy away from a community of equals. This perspective posits a division into "deplorables" and "victims," with a credentialed "aristocracy" tasked with managing the populace. Under this model, electoral choices might be limited, and unfavorable candidates could be disqualified through legal or media challenges. Such tactics have been observed in other nations and are a potential threat to the American system.
Proponents of this redefinition argue that the Founder's Creed is outdated and that rights are indeed alienable, necessary to prevent societal collapse. They advocate for replacing the concept of equality with "equity," defined as the balancing of racial, sexual, and identitarian outcomes by a ruling class. This view necessitates discrediting traditional democratic notions and historical American achievements, often denigrating the Founders themselves.
An Open Future
Despite growing secularism and disbelief in the Founders' religious underpinnings, the core principles of the Founder's Creed continue to shape the American identity. The nation's past has created its present, and the ideals of equal rights remain a potent force. While imperfections and injustices persist, the American experiment is described as an incomplete adventure.
The future of the United States remains open, offering possibilities for continued freedom and rebirth. The choice lies between succumbing to a redefined, aristocratic form of governance or honoring the legacy of the Founders by celebrating the nation's history and anticipating the enduring relevance of its founding principles. The nation's 250th anniversary presents an opportunity to recommit to these foundational values.