Posted on 09/13/2005 7:33:31 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
I do not choose to be a common man
I do not wish to be a kept citizen,
I refuse to barter incentive for a dole.
I will not trade freedom for beneficence
It is my heritage to stand erect,
It is my right to be uncommon...
If I can. I seek opportunity... Not security.
Humbled and dulled by having the state to dream and build, to
Fail and succeed.
I prefer the challenges of life to the
Guaranteed existence; the thrill of
Fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.
Nor my dignity for a hand out. I will
Never cower before any master nor bend
to any threat.
proud, and unafraid; to think and act for
myself; enjoy the benefits of my
creations; and to face the world boldly
and say, "This I have done with my own hand,
I am a man. I am an American.
*Originally published in This Week Magazine. Later reprinted in The Readers Digest, October 1952, p. 10, and January 1954, p. 122, lacking these words: I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat and to stand erect, proud and unafraid.
* 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 1 and attended Hamilton College, graduating in the class of ?22. He attended Colombia University where he received his law degree and opened a practice in Manhattan. In 1942 Alfange was the American Labor Party candidate for governor of New York and a founder of the Liberal Party of New York.
Dean Alfange was also Professor Emeritus at UMass Amherst and a leading figure in various pro-Zionist organizations (between other actions, in November 1943, he appeared before the House of Representatives and addressed them on the rescue of the Jewish people of Europe). He died in Manhattan at the age of 91 on October 27, 1989.
I do this, because these words are amazing. They may have been written at a different time, but the words are timeless. It can be applied to so many events but I see in these those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Some might consider these words as "buzz words", kept citizen, hand out, think, act, they are NOT buzz words but instead words of action.
For many, and it is not just hurricane, but those with loved one's in Iraq, this should be read daily, an American Creed to live by.
I hope many read this. I hope many click their address book and hit send all. This creed has been around a long time but I have to tell you it should be better known. Let's help this author get his American Creed out to all.
I found this amongst my late father's paper's. It blew me away and googled until I learned all I could about this author.
Sorry, I don't know any fiends although I do know a couple of democrats. That's close isn't it?
As I remarked in the first comment, beloved suggested I post this as a stand alone. I am so curious why I had not heard of this prior to yesterday.
It is an amazing, well thought out observation. These words should greet everyone as they open up their email. Perhaps we can give his words new life.
Okay...but they may protest getting double-copied. ;o)
Marking for posterity(and later reference)
It was a bit of humor and somewhat serious, this I would take time to send to a few liberals. It is black and white and really reminds us of who we are as American's.
You can ask the admin moderator to change the title from fiends to friends if you want. ;^)
Thanks for the ping. Glad you found out more about Alfange, too.
Just did it, I did not notice that, it went through spell check. Great catch, thanks for pointing it out.
Thanks
Should this end up in the hands of those who survived Katrina, maybe this will give them inspiration.
There are so many good quotes out there, amazing essays etc. I realize I have not read them all, but the "An American's Creed" seems to have slipped me by. Well no more and I hope folks find timely as I have.
As always thanks for the comment.
PING
Bump to that and thanks for the ping.
Thanks for the ping! Copied and pasted and already sent out to my address list!
I am an American, I don't depend on spell check. ;-}
I just bought the american creed at an auction friday after reading it. It touched me i payed 100 bucks for it and started researching it is there any thing else out there about this once free and now slavery world we live in
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