Today crowds of protesters have gathered in Washington, DC to voice opposition to the current administration. Early reports show a large turnout. The event is primarily related to TV talk-show host Glen Beck and the “9/12” movement that he has encouraged.
No doubt this event will be the catalyst for significantly heated commentary from both ends of the political spectrum. For my part I will be interested in both the actions of the more extreme protesters as well as the (hopefully common) more average folks.
On CNN those interviewed have so far stated that they are primarily concerned with the rate of spending by the government. One could, I believe, fairly ask where they have been for the previous eight years, but to be fair the combined spending in response to the economic collapse that began in 2008 is in fact of a scale to raise even moderately conservative eyebrows.
Honestly, all but one of the “principles and values” stated as the mantra for the 9/12 group are inarguably good characteristics. It is only Principle 2 – “2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.” – that stands out oddly in an American political context. The heavy-handed implication that only religious individuals – and let’s be honest, only ‘orthodox’ Christians – can be Good Americans makes an otherwise fundamentally benign statement uncomfortably Orwellian.
The Nine Principles
1. America is good.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.12 Values
Honesty
Reverence
Hope
Thrift
Humility
Charity
Sincerity
Moderation
Hard Work
Courage
Personal Responsibility
Gratitude
Thoughts/observations?
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