4th July: I don't want an Europe-like America

Being my family's history always closely linked to the United States throughout all the last century, we have always used to celebrate the 4th of July, among the other things.

By posting the article by The Heritage Foundation below, I have no political intent, whose discussions in fact I usually refrain from getting involved in, but at least on this day, I for once wish to voice my thoughts and feelings in this Obama- loving and yet generally America-hostile country of mine (but I should say continent there ), where there seems to be little or no space left by now for despised so called 'conservatives' like me, actually more worried about the change in people's attitudes and principles rather than in mere political alliances.

Happy 4th July everyone and everywhere.

Hi Maria, having just turned a young 60 years of age I feel I may be qualified to offer my view of this stuation. I am reasonably well educated and well travelled, I never argue party politics or about religion but keep my own council. I am not a liberal but I believe in fair judgement and fair play, these are my only codes of which I have navigated my way through life.

I'm sure no-one dispises you for your views Maria unless they are extreme and dangerous and I'm sure they are not.The dangers often come from the young and inexperienced, fed by deranged idealists.

Wisdom comes with age and experience. The American Independence was born when the young country came of age as with any young bird or animal there comes a time when it must leave its mother and make its own life. Mistakes will be made and hopfully it will survive to an old age, but only if it learns from its mistakes.  Happy 4th july America! 

Hi Maria:  Very interesting topic.  I don't know what political philosophy I am, I think I'm kind of a liberal conservative, or maybe a conservative liberal.  lol  But I think I can tell you why the shift to the left over here - more govt. regulation and involvement that the Obama administration is becoming known for.  Conservatism only works when there's a moral compass guiding it.  We wouldn't need govt. regulation if people would "do the right thing" and spare a thought for the greater good, and not just "what's in it for me."  Unbridled capitalism is the opposite end of the spectrum from communism.  And either extreme does not bode well for the best interests of the nation and the world.

The reason the govt. is reigning in the financial system is - it has to.  The conservatives who've been benefiting from the last 30 years of deregulation have finally drained us dry.  They're more than happy to take govt money, but "no strings attached, please."  Everybody wants less government, but that means taking responsibility for acting in such a manner that you don't need to be regulated.

As for govt. "sticking its nose where it doesn't belong,"  well that's why we no longer have slavery in America, it's why women have equal rights and status to men, it's why we have freedom of the press, civil rights, due process, clean water, clean air - this list goes on and on.  All the values we Americans hold dear are the result of legislation or the Constitution.  People, esp. big business, left to themselves will always choose "me" over "we." 

It's unfortunate, but it's also a swinging pendulum.  In another 20 or 30 years, it will swing back.

I'm not kidding myself and have not been fooled, Bob.  You're absolutely right, please forgive the oversight.  People are people and human nature takes over no matter what political stripe you are.  That's what I meant about the moral compass.  Our political system works well when we control the WIFM side of human nature.  It's the "I want it all and I want it now," (which we all do) that we have to rise above.

"We don’t need to remake America, or discover new and untested principles. The change we need is not the rejection of America’s principles but a great renewal of these permanent truths about man, politics, and liberty—the foundational principles and constitutional wisdom that are the true roots of our country’s greatness."

Thanks for posting this article, Maria.  Putting politics aside, I would consider myself a "conservative" as a person, in thought and deed, and agree with Michael that morality and decency need to be reinjected into our everyday lives and in the way we treat each other and conduct our business and politics.  One doesn't often meet a European who admits to being a conservative.  Bravo, you!  You are not alone, much to the dismay of the EU, I'm sure.