An American Creed
Posted: Friday, October 24, 2008
by Judi Lake
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Soon the presidential campaign will be over and either Barack Obama or John McCain will be the 44 th president of our United States.
As we draw towards the end of this campaign, I am amazed at how many people are still defending candidates that will bring the change America desperately needs.
There's not going to be any change from either candidate but why explain....
Washington will not fix Americas problems .
It's disturbing to me that people in our government totally disregard what their constituents tell them to do. It's disturbing to me that arrogant people in Washington ignore their constituents and takes huge strides toward socialism.
As an optimist, I have to believe there are still Americans within our great nation who believe in the way things are supposed to be . I have to believe that there are still those of us who choose not to be "the common man".
As I conclude my thoughts, I think of the piece, "An American Creed", which was written by *Dean Alfange and published in The Readers Digest October 1952 and January 1954.
An American Creed
I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man
It is my right to be uncommon if I can.
I seek opportunity 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 challenges 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 master nor bend to any threat.
It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid;
to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, This I have done.
*The Honorable Dean Alfange was an American statesman born December 2, 1899, in Constantinople (now Istanbul). He was raised in upstate New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and attended Hamilton College, graduating in the class of 1922.
America, what else is there to say ?
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Great job as usual Judi. I found what you presented outstanding for the times we live in. Yes and from someone out of our history and past. Best wishes.Thank you, RM! Sometimes we have to travel "backwards" to understand what we want and where we're heading -- Hoping you are well, my friend!
I concur with Robert on this one. I believe these words all the way.
- GYes, G, these words are haunting, aren't they? Thanks for commenting!
This is all too true, Judi. Great job. We will fail if we depend on our government to straighten out the mess our country is in without doing what we can as voting citizens.SandraAnd the thing is, Sandra, is that there is still time as long as we acknowledge that and "wake-up" -- thanks for commenting!
I share your sentiments, Judy. Too many of our fellow citizens continue to bank on politicians, though I believe it's naive to ignore these politicians altogether, because their decisions or indecisions affect us all. Thanks for writing. ~mogama~Yes, Mogama, I too believe that too many bank on politicians yet, at the same time, it is important that we become informed citizens to know what's going on -- Thanks for commenting and wishing you a grand weekend!
This comes as close to being a perfect article as any I have read. It is so similar to Sunday's sermon. It really doesn't matter who sits in the Oval Office. We are all in God's hands. Bless you, Marty RicKardGee, Marty, you surely humble me and I agree with you that we are all in God's hands. Thanks for commenting and I hope you're enjoying your weekend!
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