Clearly, a motto is something that the entity who chose it is proud to share. Why then has our American motto become unmentionable? What changed? Today, young people do not even know that our motto is "In God we Trust." Though it still remains a relic on our currency, try scheduling me to come do a presentation at a public school on this topic. Though I am well-prepared to give the presentation... both historically and philosophically... I doubt I'll be getting any calls. How did our nation's motto become so controversial... even out-of-bounds... even defacto forbidden in the public schools paid for with our tax dollars?
The political discourse of our Republic has changed tremendously during the past decades. In our nation's infancy, ideological struggles were waged for the purpose of best articulating foundational ideas as well as providing the structural mechanisms to implement them. Today, the hope and promise of lifting everyone to the "Pursuits of Happiness" is overshadowed by merely selecting the best agents to vanquish our political adversaries... to win for "our side"... whatever "winning" has become.
Today, political discussions quickly degenerate into often bitter, generally purposeless attacks. Thus, the refinement of ideas has been abandoned for sectarian feeding frenzies... the destruction of people rather than the illumination of truth. Obviously, our nation's original motto "Out of many, one" cannot be accomplished when raw hatred is consistently spewing throughout the culture... ever more bloodletting as pundits toss chum into the murky waters. In all of it, the idea of a "Shining City on a Hill" is quickly becoming an unknown notion... much less an impassioned quest.
Rather than focusing on actionable solutions to serious problems, the prevailing modus operandi is simply cursing villains... both real and imagined. And so, vehement soundbites echo across the emotions... rantings that feed the most base elements of human fear, envy and anger. On the other side of the world from "loving one's neighbor" is the incubation of justifications to steal from him... from his character, his achievements, his freedoms, his hard work... even literally stealing his possessions. In stark contrast, schoolchildren used to know and believe a profound moral underpinning: "One nation... under God... Indivisible... with Liberty and Justice for All!" Furthermore, we used to believe and stand upon our country's motto: "In God we Trust."
If such a nation is still desired, we must begin to take concrete action... to return to the principles that made America a light to the world in the first place. "Winning" without principle is not winning at all. Rather, it is losing the "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness"... endowed by our Creator... enshrined by our Founders... preserved by the blood of patriots from 1776 to today. If we can longer trust in a Power above human power... the "Creator" of our sacred Rights of Life and Liberty... in what shall we then put our trust?
There is still time to seize the wondrous opportunities bestowed upon us! On this day, we can choose to stand up... even shout from the rooftops! Clearly, there can be no harvest without good seeds. But friends, good news abides: Good seeds are at hand! May we lift up our eyes and consider the fertile fields... for they are still ripe for harvest! Even if the workers are few, there will be sufficiency. We are not alone in the good work... a bountiful harvest is assured! Shalom!