LIBERTY: MAY 2020 Castles, Cathedrals and palaces are fresh in my memory from a trip to Europe. Someday, if you visit that continent, you’ll be amazed at the magnificent architecture. There’s big, bigger and stupendous sizes. Elaborate, often gaudy, structures are tourist destinations. Once occupied by Kings, Queens, Lords, Cardinals, and a bunch of other self-designated poohbahs. I admire that such structures were built without power tools or modern cranes and hoists. I envisioned years, decades and even hundreds of years of sweat and toil by workers on single projects. For the greater glory of God, princes, or culture creates a mix of conflicting emotions for this observer. Positives and negatives are on overwhelming scales. The end results were often spectacular in terms of architecture. Presumably such projects provided a livelihood for workers as well as patronage for artisans. The good. But, could the resources have been better spent for the common good of the people? A question that may have been asked by only a few at the time. Bad? Or, unknown? The contrasts between a continent shackled with centuries of autocratic rulers and our America is stark. We may be less than 250 years old as a free nation but most of Europe’s experiment with democracy is just approaching 100 years for some and less than that for many. England, of course, is the exception. I wonder whether all those years under the yoke of dictators embedded a form of submissiveness in European cultures. Acceptance of government ministries and leaders based on position? Unconsciously placed an upper class upon pedestals? A go along to get along mentality? Whereas, America was forged in the spirit of fierce independence. Individual liberty became the hallmark of a pioneering spirit during westward expansion. “Manifest Destiny” is poo pooed now in many academic circles. Such denigration is a part of the surprising popularity of burdening the grandeur of America’s history with negativity. Keep focused that, unlike so much of the world in 1776, America’s Revolutionary War did not end up with mindless rule by royalty. We traded birth right for a representative government. There hasn’t been a shortage of Sluggo politicians but America’s probably completed 50 % of it passes. It seems in recent vogue to claim that every fault of America’s past is attributed to a fatal disease in its founding. I for one completely disagree. Faults in the past? Of course. Mistakes in the past? By the ton load. But, it always helps to think long and hard about the world before 1776. More good, more innovation, more benefit to the average man and more salvation from dictators has been accomplished by the American people in conjunction with its government than has occurred in all of pre-existing mankind. And, continues to outshine most of the rest of the world. America’s sins of the past can’t be traced solely to 1776; its sins are of particular times and events. Cumulative but usually corrected with effort. One of the hallmarks of America is trying to get things corrected. There has been lots of progress and change. Some of course believe change has been too slow and some want to apply the brakes. Cooperative consensus vs. chaos is how some might describe it. There has always been a tension between the concepts of rugged individuality and the common good. Often a healthy push/pull. However, Rigid Collectivism can cause great discord if it seeps into America. Last century’s world had its flirtation with radical socialism/communism. Despite the damage the concept has done there is never a shortage of characters who embrace one of its versions. Steady progress or chaos; perhaps one revolution is sufficient for our country. (At least until a better idea than individual liberty for citizens who govern by and for the people is spawned.) Beware: lots of good intentioned know it all types may cozy up to being bossy. There is never a shortage of folks who think they know better than you. You will experience normal ebbs and flows of political thought during your lives. It seems total craziness exists today. Personally, I think America in the 60’s was more chaotic. I feel positive about the future however. I base that on natural optimism but also in what I see from my descendants. You and your parents give me hope and comfort.