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Moral
America
We've
long considered ourselves a God-fearing, moral nation. And we should
be, considering the the many blessings of this land, and the ideals handed
down to us from our founders. It's long past time that we live up to those
ideals.
The world looks to us for moral leadership,
and we welcome that flattering idea. But what are we teaching other people?
Rhetoric without substance? Freedom without a moral base? Laws and rules
that are meant to be circumvented? The dream of prosperity for hard work,
when ship our own jobs overseas?
It's easy to feel self-righteous in a land
of plenty. Easy to ignore political corruption, global warming, and think
oneself chosen by God. Easy to think that freedom means imposing your
views on others, by hook or by crook. Our neighbors can fend for themselves
as long as we get ours. Is that what America is all about? Does mediocre
prosperity and the lure of comfort inevitably lead to moral hypocrisy?
No, it doesn't. We do not have to allow
ourselves to be shaped by greed and apathy. Morality means more than a
campaign slogan or leadership facade. When we inculcated it into our hearts
and minds it has a superlative wealth of meaning. Something as simple
as the Golden Rule, treating others as you wish to be treated, could,
if given a chance, change all the negative dynamics of this topsy-turvy
world.
Imagine if our leaders valued the lives
of other people's children as much as they value their own? Would we have
invaded Iraq without just cause? Not likely. Our troops have become economic
assets for the rich and powerful. The innocent lives they crush are considered
expendable—mere statistics. There is nothing moral about such actions.
We hear a lot of tough talk from people who never went to war themselves,
yet stand to profit from it.
Moral people do not ignore those who hunger
or live in poverty, or cannot afford proper health care.
But selfish people do. Is that what we want
for our legacy?
Moral people do not play with war as if
it were a chess game, allowing thousands of innocent people to die for
something nebulously framed as "national interests."
Bullies without conscience think it's okay.
Moral people respect the freedoms of others.
They play by the rules because they cherish the delicate balance of civility.
They want people to know the truth because that is implicit to the workings
of democracy. They do not impose their religious beliefs on others, but
safeguard everyone's faith instead. They love this country because they
love the people of this country, not just the economic system and status
quo.
Morality is defiled when it becomes an empty
catch-phrase used to garner votes. It cannot exist on its own. It has
to live within us, in our words and deeds, or not at all. It demands a
commitment to truth and compassion and working to make things right.
Morality is a strong component of heroism.
Anyone can be bold and ignorantly daring. The true hero fights the good
fight, making a moral difference in society, sacrificing for the greater
good without profiting from it. All around the world people are fighting
and dying for what they perceive as a better way of life. Our soldiers
are among them. We, on the other hand, remain too busy at work, too busy
having fun, too engaged by distraction, to uphold the rights and freedom
our ancestors died to give us.
Social
morality needs heroes who exemplify and defend it. Are you such a hero?
What will it take to mobilize your personal outrage to fight for what
is right?
See:
Citizen
Declaration
(Word Document) to help you get started.
