What is the source of America's strength?

[Frances Bavier]

From the thread about the Congressman choosing to be sworn in on a copy of the Koran -

 

In your opinion, what is the source of America's strength? What is it that sets us apart from the other nations of the world?

 

Is it our vast natural resources?

 

Was it the foresight of our Founding Fathers, who had learned "how not to run a country"?

 

Is it the structure of our Constitution, which allows us the right to openly dissent, and the right to change our political leaders at the ballot box?

 

Is it a belief in God?

 

What say you?

 

 

 

Frances

[ladiesbballcoach]

I cannot recall the person's name but I attended a Christian workshop around July 4th that quoted a Frenchman. He was sent here in the late 1800's to find out what made America so great.

 

He asked if it was the people? And found out it was not.

He asked if it was the government? And found out it was not?

Businesses? Not.

 

What he said it was, the churches. The hearts and compassion of the congregation of the local churches were the strength of America.

[Frances Bavier]

Those French are wily.

 

 

Frances

[Hearsay]

This questioned was answered best in my opinion by Alexis DeTocqueville in his book, Democracy in America, which should be required reading in all history/civics courses at every high school in this country.

[ladiesbballcoach]

This questioned was answered best in my opinion by Alexis DeTocqueville in his book, Democracy in America, which should be required reading in all history/civics courses at every high school in this country.

And???????????????? He says???????????

[Frances Bavier]

I think Democracy in America gives us an excellent look in the mirror (or at least, it did at the time it was written). Like you, I think it was a definitive work, and should be required reading.

 

On the other hand, I think it overlooks some of the key issues that had already been resolved by the time de Tocqueville had come to America, and understates some of the other items (i.e. our Constitution, the system of checks and balances, etc.).

 

 

Frances

[Frances Bavier]

And???????????????? He says???????????

 

LOL - he says that America grew strong due to the work ethic that was inspired by our capitalistic society. Our deep embracement of capitalism replaced the elitist societies that dominated the governmental style of the European countries, and "leveled the playing field" for all men in America.

 

An oversimplification, but fairly accurate.

 

 

Frances

[ladiesbballcoach]

LOL - he says that America grew strong due to the work ethic that was inspired by our capitalistic society. Our deep embracement of capitalism replaced the elitist societies that dominated the governmental style of the European countries, and "leveled the playing field" for all men in America.

 

An oversimplification, but fairly accurate.

 

 

Frances

 

I posted this in the other thread.:lol:

 

 

I think you may be misunderstanding me. I am NOT in favor of a state supported Christianity. I DON'T think that is biblically or a good idea in any way, shape or form.

 

I also don't think America is as strong as it once was. So many of the ideas and work ethic that made this country great has fallen by the wayside. One example, it used to be the American dream to work hard and earn your own home. Now our government has setup up ways for anyone to have one and the "work hard" part has gone by the wayside.

 

Our country has moved from "earning" our rights to "demanding things that are not necessarily our "rights" but we think they are.

 

We have moved away from "working hard" to screaming and yelling about injustices until we get what we want without having to put in any hard work.

(BTW, before any of the P & P people jump on me, it doesn't matter how hard most public/rural schools work, they still won't be able to compete on an annual basis with private/urban schools. )

 

 

And lastly, there is that daggone "level the playing field" again. Wish it wasn't part of real life. :D :D

[HHSDad]

What makes America great is the freedom we enjoy. It allows us to choose our own fate. We can profit from our work. We can advance on learning to no end. We can choose our government. We can choose our life. And we get to choose to serve others.

 

But this freedom depends on a moral people obeying the laws of the land. The less moral the people, the stricter the laws, the less freedom we enjoy, the weaker this nation.

[colonel-fan]

This questioned was answered best in my opinion by Alexis DeTocqueville in his book, Democracy in America, which should be required reading in all history/civics courses at every high school in this country.

 

:thumb:

[ladiesbballcoach]

This questioned was answered best in my opinion by Alexis DeTocqueville in his book, Democracy in America, which should be required reading in all history/civics courses at every high school in this country.

Obviously, you have not been in a classroom to consider required reading to mean the kids will actually read it.

[Fastbreak]

Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, documented his many observations, but IMO nothing sums up his views better than the following quote:

 

"I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests--and it was not there.

 

I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning--and it was not there.

 

I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution--and it was not there.

 

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.

 

America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!"

 

I agree... :thumb:

[ladiesbballcoach]

Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, documented his many observations, but IMO nothing sums up his views better than the following quote:

 

"I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests--and it was not there.

 

I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning--and it was not there.

 

I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution--and it was not there.

 

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.

 

America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!"

 

I agree... :thumb:

Now this is too funny. I quoted him, not knowing his name in post #2.

Hearsay pulls his name and book out in post #3.

Fastbreak let's me know that the guy I couldn't remember was Hearsay's guy.

 

Thanks FB. And Hearsay is right.

[gametime]

Steroids???

[Frances Bavier]

I finally figured it out - Gametime is the screen name for Barry Bonds!!

 

 

Frances