By: V.A. Luttrell

Tolerance has become a common word in our society. No longer simply the purview of physicists, engineers, or nerds of other varieties, tolerance has now entered the realm of common speech. Parents and their kids, feuding lovers, civil rights activists, and the layman alike all claim use of this word. As with most terms, we use “tolerance” with varying meanings, thinking we are all on the same page. Usually, we’re wrong.

Social tolerance is a belief most often cited as part of “left” ideology and is usually said to be lacking on the “right.” Even though this dichotomy is tacitly accepted, tolerance is ubiquitously understood as a must-have, and those who are deemed intolerant face social condemnation and exclusion. Thus, when we all mean something different when we use this word, people can get hurt.

To many, tolerance equals acceptance. In order to be dubbed “tolerant,” we must submit to a particular set of ethics, wherein everything approved by pre-tolerant people is morally acceptable. To be tolerant of homosexuals one must accept that having sex with people of the same gender is morally permissible. Under this schema, if a person believes that homosexuality is wrong yet believes that people have the legal freedom to do what they please, he or she is still not tolerant and is scorned.

This is wrong. Tolerance is not acceptance. A Christian who purports to tolerate everyone who shares his or her beliefs would not be considered truly tolerant. So too, liberals who call themselves tolerant but react to the religious, conservative, or free-market minded with the same mistrust, suspicion, and aversion like bigots are not so.

Tolerance requires tension. Disagreement, fundamental differences of belief, and deep-seeded spite — these are the origins of tolerance. Tolerance is that which allows a social conservative and a man who feels as if he is a woman to sit down, have a coffee, and talk about their lives. They can simultaneously believe that each other is wrong, but by the end of their coffees they have gained each other’s perspectives and has become better for doing so.

Libertarians come to issues of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) people from a myriad of places, more diverse than either mainstream political ideology. Many libertarians identify as LGBT themselves. Some feel that being gay is a sin against God. Others have a limited understanding of any of these concepts. Many and most fall somewhere between. Tolerance is the thing that unites us. It is the simple claim that no matter how we think lives should be lived, neither the individual nor a government has the authority to say how another can peaceably live his or her life. It requires that we recognize our imperfections, our shortcomings, and our nature as human beings — that we do not have all the answers. It necessitates the humility to admit that we may be wrong. Perhaps this is why true tolerance is so hard to achieve.

Tolerance of race was the greatest challenge of the previous generation, and it is a challenge that it, for the most part, has overcome. To even say “I am tolerant of black people” will strike most today as odd. Why would you not accept them, for they are rights-wielding human beings like all others? In regards to race, we have moved from tolerance to acceptance., This is the same move that the current generation must make for the LGBT community. But in order to achieve acceptance, we must first understand what tolerance means and accomplish that. It is unrealistic to demand someone who ardently believes that homosexuality is wrong to go straight from passing out pamphlets to accepting that homosexuality is morally permissible. So to, we cannot accept a society to make that leap.

This does not means that initiatives like marriage equality are flawed. In fact, seeking marriage equality is an important step to achieve LGBT tolerance in this country.  When a government discriminates, it legitimates the act and hinders the progress towards tolerance.

It is for precisely this reason that libertarians hold the key to making sure that the country moves towards tolerance. It is our commitment to minimal government interference that will help spur things forward. Historically, governments hinder this movement. It is people learning from each other in free systems that move societies towards tolerance and acceptance. This is what we promote. We are that change.

V.A. Luttrell is a political writer and blogger currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia. Her main project to date is her blog, Thoughts on Liberty, which she has been writing since 2008. It is there that she works to promote “active tolerance,” a concept conceived on Thoughts on Liberty and which fully integrates into the rules there.  Some of her other interests include gender and race politics, class divisions, and constitutional law. In addition to libertarian politics, Luttrell also writes fiction and is an amateur graphic designer and web page designer. She receives her Bachelor’s in Philosophy and Political Science from Agnes Scott College this May.

I again became aware of how little use the 10th Amendment is to states who have no power over their own commodities and currency.

Fresh off the presses, How Race to the Top is re-writing US Education, gives us just another example of the legal blackmail that occurs frequently in our great country.

When an elected official proudly states, for news publication, the following, I question our hopes of realizing solutions:

“These are my best hopes,” he said in May. “You see people doing things that a year ago they said they would never, ever agree to.”

(Get the Scoop Here)

This post originally posted at TishaTCasida.com.

Part of my frustration in the past ten years has been being the canary in the coal mine for my family and friends who just have no idea how dangerous certain chemicals are. After my over-exposure to pesticides/insecticides as a child, I have left my now 29-year-old body in a state that is super-sensitive to chemicals that I come in contact with.

Sometimes they are perfumes, sometimes cleaners, and sometimes other scents and antibacterial lotions/potions that are chock-full of chemicals that in small quantities can actually be dangerous. Small quantities become large quantities when you take into the equation all of the other chemicals that are raging in our food, air, water, etc.

Today the culprit is methyl nonyl ketone, which is in some strange pet-repellent that was sprayed in my parent’s home. Now, of course the MSDS sheet and other information says things like “Carcinogenic Effects: Not available”, “Mutagenic effects: Not available”, “Teratogenic Effects: Not available”, “Developmental Toxicty: Not available”. Nothing is known. Now, everyone would like you to think that the unknown is because there is no problem there – I, canary in the coal mine, can tell you that this chemical has some ill-effect on something because I can sense it. It sets off my senses and makes me feel ill.

Unfortunately in our society, such a warning is not enough. So, this is a battle cry. An opportunity to educate others – a cry out to others who have chemical sensitivities or MCS – that you are not alone. More and more people will become sensitive as our human bodies start to recognize that they are full-up of poison. Only then, will so many people change. But, it has to start somewhere, it has to be written, it has to be expressed.

We do that here – albeit the fate of a canary for anyone who recognizes the dangers of the pollutants that we fill our environment, our home, and our body with.

Pending legislation in the form of Senate Bill S 773 Cyberspace Security Act of 2009 is another example of sacrificing our liberty for security.   Broad guidelines coupled with more government (and hence spending) added to a short list of who gets to decide the definition of “emergency” and “critical” in regards to shutting down telecommunication networks leads me to vocal opposition.

If your livelihood depends on the internet or if you just enjoy keeping in touch with family and friends and perhaps spouting your opinions publicly, then I urge you to Learn More about this proposed legislation.

Yes, I know – there are those of you who despise my use of Hitler and the Nazi regime as metaphors for current events.   In my defense, I truly believe in “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”, courtesy George Santayana.  And that motto guides much of my daily activities and decisions on what course of action to pursue.

So I point your attention in the direction of the woes experienced by Grazin’ Acres dairy farm in Wisconsin.  Who cares that your impassioned letter or email may not be read by those interfering with food production/consumption and private contract issues?   The sheer volume of written protest is our attempt to let those who engage in these behaviors know they do not have our Silent Consent.

Links to view Contact information and my emailed protest.

By Tamrah Jo Ortiz

Via my email inbox, I was alerted to the existence of proposed legislation regarding the Illegal Immigrant issue.

I faithfully read the entire email which assured me I’m about to be stripped of every freedom I have, via a Biometric National ID card.

Just as faithfully, I visited OpenCongress to get the real story.   I have a history of being led astray and set right by Snopes, so I do more research now.

I was unable to find much at OpenCongress….granted, my searching skills are not at the Advanced level.

So, Google it is and lo and behold, here’s an article by Charles E. Schumer and Linsey O. Graham – creators of the whole plan. I’m figuring this is the real deal, straight from the horse’s mouth (or arse, if you will..)

I got as far as the fourth paragraph before I quit reading and started blogging… Here’s the sentence where I stopped:

“Our plan has four pillars: requiring biometric Social Security cards to ensure that illegal workers cannot get jobs;…”

OMG!   The email I got was True!

Hold on.  I’m speechless.   Taking a minute for me to recover…

Okay, I’m back.

**********

I’m aware of the hotly debated points regarding Illegal Immigration – in my mind, these protests are filed right along side, “Why are we allowing exportation of customer service jobs to India?”

But I’ll be a monkey’s uncle if I’ll support having my individual freedoms tramped all over in an effort to ‘save me’ from the evils of under or un-employment.

In short, I value my freedom above my security.

Sound Familiar?

“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” -  Ben Franklin.

**********

My second favorite followed link regarding this topic is this cartoon (captioned by):

“Only a terrorist doesn’t carry one!   For Work, Play and Food – Americard!” Message from the Ministry of Homeland Security.

**********

For those opposed to having their fingerprints, retina scans, DNA or other bodily information housed in some big old database somewhere, in order to ensure they don’t have to compete with those who will work hard for minimum wage, you can go here to sign a petition.

Granted, the Campaign For Liberty now has my name and zip code in addition to my email, but hey, what the heck?  I have a GPS enabled smartphone and recently registered to vote – Jack Bauer from CTU already knows how to find me…

By Tamrah Jo Ortiz

I attended the Colorado Sky Sox ball game last night.   First time my husband has accompanied me to a baseball game since we first started dating.   Mainly because I accidentally cheered for the wrong team. (Hey, with so much going on, I forgot who was up to bat.  I did cover myself by saying, “Booo!  He was safe!” but my husband-to-be was not fooled…)

Before last night’s game,  Hubby asks if I know who Goose Gossage is. (seems his smartphone told him it was Goose Gossage night…)

(Note – Part of my Soul’s Heroic Mission this go-around is to appear a complete dumb arse in regards to sports, so by turns, I teach the males in my circle tolerance and give them a laugh when needed.   I’ve learned to play my role realllyyyy well!)

“Of course,” I reply.  “He was the co-pilot for Tom Cruise in Top Gun.”

It got the desired reaction – laughter and eye-rolling.

Then I informed him that Goose was a great ball player and a few years back – he had done something pretty spectacular… broken a record or something, because I remembered hearing about some fantastic accomplishment….

Hubby disagrees.

At the game, I’m proven right.   Goose Gossage was the 199th player to be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

This whole story is told to my mother, who joined us for a night of All-American entertainment.  She reminds me of  my past sports faux pas.  (aka Fox Passes, in our family….)

And also points out how many times I’ve lost Trivial Pursuit games simply by not having the orange pie…(you guessed it, Sports and Leisure – on the bright side, I used to bartend, so if my questions fall more in the “Leisure” category, I win…)

**********

During a general “Let’s make fun of Tamrah’s ignorance regarding sports” melee I finally had to speak up in defense.

“Hey!  Do you all know what absolutely critical-to-our-freedom-event occurred on the night of August 29, 1776?”

I’m met with silence.   Smug in my genius, I relay why they should really know about this.

**********

In the evening hours General George Washington set about evacuating his Continental Army across the river to Manhattan.   Following the Battle of Long Island losses and the current reality that places him nearly surrounded by enemy forces, he calmly calls for all available water vessels, orders wagon wheels muffled and soldiers to march silently.   He charges Quartermaster General Thomas Mifflin with rear-guard duties.   In other words, Mifflin and his boys are to keep all the campfires going.

Across the way, British General Howe understands he has Georgie boy surrounded.  He does not press his advantage.   Why further demean a hapless and hopeless opponent?   Instead, he gives his foe the night to accept defeat and pen his eloquent surrender speech.    His scouts report all is quiet, campfires are going and the enemy is not up to any funny business.

The retreat, hindered by mis-carried orders instructing Mifflin to abandon his post too early and aided by a late morning fog, is successful.  By mid-morning on August 30th, General Howe stands surveying empty American fortifications, puzzled as to just how his surrounded quarry managed to escape.

The bulk of the Continental Army (around 9,000) had been safely snatched from the jaws of total ruin and/or capture.

In large part to the distraction of peaceful campfires.

**********

I’m not discounting the accomplishments of sports figures.    But in my mind, knowing the above story is more important than knowing who-broke-what-record.

Simply because, it gives me time to reflect on and ponder the extraordinary effort put forth by our forefathers in the quest for Freedom.   By delving deep into the history of our Revolution, I see how many times our cause was on the brink of being lost.

I am deeply touched by stories of those who marched in snow without shoes, fought battles with nothing more in their stomach than boiled shoe leather and how, even in those days, office politics abounded.

Knowing George managed to keep his post AND win the war, in spite of gossiping, negative, incompetent back stabbers trying to get him fired nearly the entire time, reassures me great things can be accomplished, even if the cause you’re joining is peppered with the lazy, power-hungry and traitorous.

I’m also intrigued by the campfire ruse.

I see a lot of campfires around these days – lit and tended to distract us from the real issues.

I really don’t want to be on the side that got distracted….

So, I’ll continue in my evil ways of teaching true sports fans tolerance.   I’ll continue to forget what a balk is, why pinch hitters are necessary and why yelling, “Quit diving for the ball” at an opposing fielder who has done the extraordinary time after time tonight is met with silence and glares.   Sports fans like seeing great plays, even if they are by the opposing team.

On the flip side, did you know Lynne Cox trained both her body and mind to swim the Bering Strait?  Amazing what the human body and spirit can do…

August 3, 2010 – Colorado Springs, CO - Tonight I had the chance to visit a Coalition for a Conservative Majority (CCM) meeting in Colorado Springs.  I went with a non-partisan organization that represents liberty – traveling across the country to educate people with materials that include the Constitution of the United States.  Prior to the meeting we sat down for a conversation with the leader of this group, Bradford Collins.  While he continually plugged a local newspaper called “The Constitutionalist Today”, I figured it was my duty, as a citizen, to ask if this paper had any political affiliation (in theory, the media should be non-partisan, in my opinion).  When I asked Mr. Collins this, he promptly replied that “No” they are not non-partisan – they are “partisan” – I guess meaning that they are conservative.  Since all of the public figures (candidates) on the front page were Republican, I was guessing that conservative in this instance probably meant “Republican”.

My fellow organizer and myself had arranged with Mr. Collins to speak briefly about our endeavors – her travels across the country, and my publication and media-model called The Good American Post.  He said we could both have a couple of minutes at the beginning to speak to this group of around 60 people.  Introductions were made, and when it came time for me to have a moment to stand up and speak to these people about our company, dedication to liberty, and love of free markets – I was ignored.  I had raised my hand at the beginning of the meeting – indicating that I was from “press” other than The Constitutionalist Today – so I am sure he knew that I was still in the room and still wanted a chance to address the crowd, since I was the one who coordinated for this organization to be there.  But I was forgotten.  I stood there – silenced.

Prior to this, while sitting at this table with Mr. Collins, I went to the restroom and was told that while I was gone that he took my purse and notebook away from my seat, sat it on a distant stand for food-trays, and gave my seat away to someone else.  Being a fairly humble and forgiving human being, I wrote it off for a simple mistake from an oblivious individual.  A mistake that I, too, although a young female, am also a human and a citizen that deserves a seat at a meeting (and that my personal property (e.g. purse) should not be infringed upon.

I had my Good American Posts in hand, ready to quickly address the crowd, excited to tell them about what I had started July 4^th of 2009 as an effort to create a medium to educate our readership about capitalism and community – an effort that has been successful because we reach audiences of every demographic and every political affiliation.  We appeal to “the people” because we are non-partisan and focus on solutions instead of the problems. People across the country love us – and we are a vehicle to help educate our communities about how to make a positive difference.  I guess that I must have been a threat to these people who stood before me – the “leaders” of this organization and this movement – that included Mr. Collins, Michelle Morin (Mom4Freedom), and the publisher of The Constitutionalist Today, Lana Fore-Warkocz.  They were before me, they saw me, they knew I was there – I was ignored.

I am 28 years old.  I represent the next generation of leaders.  These people should be thrilled to see a young entrepreneur who is embracing and fighting for liberty.  Instead, I was shunned.  Because I have this publication, because I am unaffiliated with any political party, I guess I am some type of threat to their (apparently) Republican establishment.  A threat to this group.  A threat to this partisan paper that was the only press promoted at this event.

Tears weld up in my eyes.  These are our leaders?  Are these people standing at the front of the room the people that will save our country?  Why won’t they let me speak about media that has proven its success – The Good American Post – that brings people together from all political spectrums because we appeal to Americans – not Republicans, or Democrats, or Libertarians – but to We The People?  Why won’t they let a young female have a moment to speak?

I’ve heard that the publisher of The Constitutionalist Today calls her paper the “paper of the Tea Party”.  The authors and board members of this publication, who stood before me at the CCM meeting this evening do a very good job of telling people how much they love liberty.  However, their purposeful ignorance of my presence and desire to speak, in addition to taking away my “place at the table” (literally), proves to me one thing.  If these are the “leaders” of the Tea Party movement – we are doomed.  All they care about is their own pocketbooks, their own media, and their own agenda.  Another part of the machine.  They scream liberty, but it is an act – they are lying to us and they have lied to me.

These people who call themselves leaders and patriots that use the tree of liberty to try and squash the voice of a young patriot because she is supposedly a threat to their revenue streams are appalling and a detrimental component to the liberty movement.  It started a long time ago – the people who smile politely, clap quietly, and scoot away the independent voices that hold in their hand what could save a country.  Now I know what Sarah Palin meant when she said “Many of us are not going to sit down and shut up, we’re going to say ‘No we do not like it…”.

What we fight for is liberty.  What we fight against is an establishment – the establishment is our tyranny – the establishment is the false-God, saying that they know best while silencing the voice of independence and freedom.

As we left the meeting, a police officer who had just finished pulling over a car and writing them some type of ticket (“feeding” as we like to call it), sped past a man on the side of the road with a vehicle that was obviously broken down.  It concluded the day.  Where are the people extending their hand to good Americans?  Where are the people that hold out their hand in the name of love and liberty?  Where are the people that are for We The People?

- Tisha T. Casida

Casida is the founder of The Good American Post and currently resides in Southern Colorado.  Her company is dedicated to free markets, new media, and liberty. You can find out more at http://www.goodamericanpost.com

Good American Post – Staff Reports

Operation “Go West” – the campaign for retired Lieutenant Colonel, Allen West, is where you will find this message, “2010 will present a historic opportunity to reclaim our America. We are at a crossroad where only you can help us become that ‘city on a hill’ that is the American ideal and the American promise.”

We have heard this before – all candidates have such rhetoric.  What makes Allen West so different?

Let’s start with the fact that he can eloquently explain topics that are important and urgent, and appears willing to fight for what is right – not necessarily what is popular.  Interview after interview, West coherently answers questions about our domestic issues and international issues.  He can quickly quote and refer to SunTzu, the Koran and Plato, to name a few historic resources.  He is not afraid to call people out for committing actions that harm our republic and liberty.  His replies to questions are detailed, and researched – making our current politicians look exactly like that – politicians – not representatives of our Republic.   West is a man who has actually studied the problems, and is informed enough to make decisions by taking positive actions to make a difference!  This isn’t just rhetoric, it’s what makes this candidate so different.

He is a man who loves his country and believes that people should be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin (King, 1963).  West says to an audience, “I don’t see myself as African-American, Black-American – I see myself as an American”.  He goes on to say “…I am very proud of the heritage of my parents, I am very proud of the heritage of my people, but if you stick a knife in me, it’s gonna come out red, white and blue…” (see the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxB75lVN1us).

He excelled in the military, serving our country for 22 years.  His honors include: a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals (one with Valor), and a Valorous Unit Award.  Badges that he proudly wears include: Army Master parachutist badge, Air Assault badge, Navy/Marine Corps parachutist insignia, Italian parachutist wings, and the German proficiency badge (Bronze award).  Lt. Col. West has put his life on the line for our country and freedoms.  The people that he meets around the country who have a connection to our armed forces, can appreciate a man of West’s caliber and strength.  The freedom and liberties that we are trying to save today should reflect the men and women who have already given their lives for this country, as well as those who are serving in our armed forces now.  We owe it to them to be informed by standing up for liberty.

Lt. Col. West appeals to a large base of voters who love this country for what it stands for and the constitutional principles it was built upon.  West is dedicated to liberty, the constitution, and free markets.  His campaign embraces his love of country, as well as his love of life.  West is an avid distance runner and PADI Master certified SCUBA diver.   He likes riding motorcycles and attending church, all American values and a lifestyle we should admire.

Listening to Lt. Col. West speak and interact with thousands of community members, it’s clear that he is probably one of the most qualified candidates for any office, including President of the United States.  However, upon digging deeper, and going beyond his amazing love for country, community, and prosperity, we have found that, in fact, he is indeed true to his word, with an intriguing background and dedication to freedom.

We could use about 534 more of them in our House of Representatives and Senate.  Please take the time to look at his campaign here: http://allenwestforcongress.com

Reference:

King, M.L. (1963, August 28). I Have a Dream. Address at March on Washington. Retrieved on July 1, 2010 from http://www.mlkonline.net/dream.html.

By: Tisha Casida

I am an American – a human being residing in the United States of America, a citizen who has come here or who resides in this country.

Liberty is both my vocation and my avocation – it is what I am.

You may wonder why it is necessary to express the purpose of explaining what I am.  I am a mystery, and sadly I have been taken for granted as a mere incident and without background.

“This is a species of the grievous error in which mankind cannot too long persist without peril. For, the wise G. K. Chesterton observed, ‘We are perishing for want of wonder, not for want of wonders’.” (Read, 1999).

I, American, as simple as I may seem, do in fact warrant your wonder, for if you can understand me better, if you can be more aware of what I am, then it can help save the freedom that mankind could so easily lose.

Simple? Yet no one knows exactly how to make me.  I am but a human, a citizen, a member of a community and country, and yet there are innumerable antecedents to what I am.

It is impossible to explain all of the antecedents that made me, however it is possible to name just a few.

My family tree begins on every continent in every country through most every part of the world.  From deserts to the tropics, the mountains to the oceans, the world was the starting point for me.  Think of all the people involved in the innumerable journeys through good times and bad to get me to where I sit today.  Think of the man-power, the machinery, the technology, the will-power to get me here today.  Think of the millions of transactions amongst people, the billions of words, the countless moments of inquiry and faith that made it possible to be in this moment.

Starting in far-away places, my ancestors made choices to seek freedom and prosperity.  In making a choice to come here, the American dream was alive and loved.  It was not just a dream; it was the reality of the journey, the faith, the motion.  My ancestors came to America to work and keep what they worked for, in a place where liberty was alive and responsibility was respected and honored.

Consider the people who have come to America.  White, black, brown; European, African, Asian, Hispanic; people who do not cling to color nor to class nor to ethnicity. For once you are here, you are American – this is the melting pot, and we are all the same, we are all Americans.  People who have come here as people, people who have come here knowing and believing that we are endowed by a Creator with certain unalienable Rights, and that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.  The journey has not always been pleasant or good.  The creation of America held many tragic incidents involving the very people that She now desires to protect.  That is the road and the journey that exists, and I must move forward in an effort to do better, as an individual, as an American.  We can learn from our mistakes.

Consider the technology that has moved us here.  Inventions, the revolution in industry, and the revolution with communication – all of these over thousands of years have contributed to my journey.  Although my life cycle is short, the experiences I have are created on the shoulders of giants (Newton, 1676).  Piece by piece, moment by moment, I am standing here today because of these human discoveries, theories, interventions, and practices.

Consider the human desire that has moved us here.  Human beings from around the world, people who work hard, study, love, and crave the freedom that allows them to do those things.  Consider the faith – regardless of religion or origin – consider the faith of the people who want to move forward, want to protect what they love, want to be free in their just pursuit of happiness.

No one knows how to make an American, even though the 307+ million Americans have a part of shaping each other every day.  “There isn’t a single person in all these millions… who contributes more than a tiny, infinitesimal bit of know-how.” (Read, 1999).  Each day a citizen may decide to read a newspaper, watch a television show, or go to school, however the other citizens will never truly know how this affects them – we just know that it does.  None of us know what the other millions of Americans want, however we are still all able to co-exist and prosper.  None of us know exactly how this works, but we know that we are able to make transactions and decisions when we have the freedom to do so.

There is no master-mind dictating to people what they should do, what they should want, or where they should work.  For over two hundred years, the country of America has been able to grow without the master planning of its future.  There have been mistakes, and more recently attacks on Her freedom, however the 307+ millions of Americans who are a part of my country can still make informed decisions.  This “absence of a master mind, of anyone dictating or forcibly directing these countless actions which bring me into being. No trace of such a person can be found. Instead, we find the Invisible Hand at work.” (Read, 1999).

We cannot “make an American”.  The Invisible Hand (Adam Smith), the liberty present in our country, and the free market where we all stand equally as consumers, are a part of a complex combination of miracles.  America is where you can find me, in “the configuration of creative human energies—millions of tiny know-hows configurating naturally and spontaneously in response to human necessity and desire and in the absence of any human master-minding!” (Read, 1999).  We are free men and women, there is no greater miracle.

I, American, although made from many different races, classes, and religions, do not cling to those as testimony for how others should act or be.  I, American, although a part of a social system do not expect a social system, I take responsibility for what and who I am.  I, American, although faced with displeasure, anger, and poverty, righteousness, happiness, and prosperity, do not expect from anyone anything other than interaction in a marketplace where I can work, purchase, and sell goods and services without the intervention of a master-plan that tries to decide what is best for me.  I, American, understand what I am charged with and accept the responsibility and prosperity that accompanies such “risk”.  Having the liberty to make my decisions, is all I ask for.

I, American, in a country that has had millions of immigrants come to Her for liberty and the opportunity to pursue their dreams, believe in the creative interactions that have made our prosperity possible so far.

“The lesson I have to teach is this: Leave all creative energies uninhibited. Merely organize society to act in harmony with this lesson. Let society’s legal apparatus remove all obstacles the best it can. Permit these creative know-hows freely to flow. Have faith that free men and women will respond to the Invisible Hand. This faith will be confirmed.”  (Read, 1999).

I, American, seemingly simple and often misunderstood, believe in the miracle of my creation. I believe in the liberty that rewards responsibility. I believe in the free men and women who are my fellow citizens.  I, American, believe.

References:

Newton, I. (1676, February 15). Letter to Robert Hooke. Retrieved  June 20, 2010 from http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton.

Read, L. E. (1999). “I, Pencil: My Family Tree as told to Leonard E. Read.” Library of Economics and Liberty. Retrieved June 20, 2010 from the World Wide Web: http://www.econlib.org/library/Essays/rdPncl1.html

Smith, A. (1776). An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Edwin Cannan, ed. 1904. Library of Economics and Liberty. Retrieved June 20, 2010 from the World Wide Web: http://www.econlib.org/library/Smith/smWN.html