Immigration reform: What would America’s supermen think?

The Aspen Times (CO) ^ | July 4, 2013 | Melanie Sturm

[Aspenhuskerette]

The summer blockbuster “Man of Steel” reveals why Superman is an American icon, like the courageous revolutionaries who declared American independence. They couldn’t leap tall buildings in a single bound, but our founders’ steel-like resolve forged an against-all-odds victory over a Kryptonically powerful British military in pursuit of radical ideas — human liberty and self-government.

Breaking with history’s repressive norms, they declared the uniquely American idea that everyone is born free and equally entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In order to prevent future Lex Luthors from tyrannizing the people, they established a constitutional system whose powers are limited, separated and checked. The government can’t act without the people’s consent; nor can the people act except through elected representatives. Like Superman, American government would safeguard individual rights and liberties while defending truth, justice and our American way.

Anticipating America’s unprecedented freedoms, prosperity and global influence, James Madison said, “The happy union of these states is a wonder; their constitution a miracle; their example the hope of liberty throughout the world.” Even during the Civil War’s darkest moments, Abraham Lincoln believed America would “once again be seen as the last best hope of earth.”

Though Americans share Lincoln’s reverence for our inspiring heritage, many have begun to Think Again about whether our “government of the people, by the people, and for the people” indeed might “perish from the earth.” When surveyed by Rasmussen, only 40 percent agreed that America is “the last best hope of mankind,” down from 51 percent in 2010. Meanwhile, two-thirds majorities believe that a too-powerful government is a bigger threat than a weaker one and consider our government to be a special-interest group that looks out primarily for itself.

As Americans have endured a decade of economic and wage stagnation

[Aspenhuskerette]

Happy Independence Day

[Bryanw92]

What would they think? They wouldn’t be surprised by Obama, Pelosi, and their ilk. After all, they warned us about tyrants often enough. But, they would be shocked at us: fat, complacent, turning their grand experiment over to third worlders who couldn’t even get into the bronze age without it being handed to them on a platter, spending our time watching sports while the nation crumbles to dust.

Then, they’d turn on the news and see Egypt and know that the will to be free does exist somewhere in the world.

[pingman]

A refreshing viewpoint from the land of beautiful people. I wonder if the talented Ms. Sturm gets invitations to their soirees?

[wku man]

"When surveyed by Rasmussen, only 40 percent agreed that America is “the last best hope of mankind,” down from 51 percent in 2010."

The problem is, today's American society isn't America. The American Spirit is still the last, best hope for mankind. But we have to get it back, and restore it in our countrymen. We ain't gonna do that sitting on our a**es, hoping someone else will do the heavy lifting.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!