The world’s largest, most ancient, and most exemplary republic observed its bicentennial not long ago. One would expect such an occasion to be a time of rededication and renewal, of restoration and recovery. Instead, we had a value-free official celebration that was expensive, dull, and that touched only a small minority of citizens. At least the New Leftists of the People’s Bicentennial, unlike the middle class bureaucrats of the official observance, took the American Revolution seriously. Still, they failed to persuade most of us that the redheaded Southern planters, hardbitten New England fishermen, and cold-eyed backcountry riflemen who fought it should be understood chiefly as predecessors of Mao and Fidel.
All the wealth, talent, and global power of the American mass media did not succeed, as far as I know, in producing one memorable show that portrayed the American founding meaningfully to the American people.
More @ The Abbeville Institute
I can't resist a title like "A Better Guide Than Reason". I'm not a fan of Bradford (too much on the libertarian spectrum for me), but I'm curious now to what this is about.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to read this tonight.
Thanks.
DeleteWell, it's a good article. I especially like the way it makes the case.
ReplyDeleteThe heritage argument just doesn't seem to work on Americans today, and when it does people try to skip over essential elements. So many Neocons try to pass as "Reagan Republicans" and somewhat praise the Founders if pressed. But what they really want is war, bad trade, open borders. One today tried to argue how Muslim immigrants are good but that we need NATO and foreign policy to protect from terrorists.
They cut out core elements.
The appeal to Middle Americans just works better: Higher market wages, condemn big business, condemn big government.
There aren't many of us in the US who are still of predominantly British descent like the Founders. There are still some Southerners. And you have Amish.
Just explaining :) I partly like Bradford. I don't mean disrespect to the past intellectual.
One today tried to argue how Muslim immigrants are good but that we need NATO and foreign policy to protect from terrorists.
DeleteAmazing.
======================
The appeal to Middle Americans just works better: Higher market wages, condemn big business, condemn big government.
Yes.