Submitted by Fritz Mehrtens
 

A few days ago, our President defined a new thrust for America in broad, sweeping terms.  Recognizing the massive problems America faces, President Barrack Obama reminded us of our ancestors' hard work and sacrifice and challenged all Americans to work and sacrifice in the "remaking" of  our nation.  

The message was long overdue.  America is in precipitous decline in all facets of society: economic, political, spiritual, moral, social, educational.  Most Americans instinctively recognize this fact and a few put their observations in writing.  As many point out, the threat to America comes not from an external enemy, but from within.  Islamic terrorism cannot defeat us unless we weaken ourselves.  The growing economic and military power of China and Russia cannot dominate without our acquiescence.  As Pogo said, "We have met the enemy, and he is us."

President Obama called for the "remaking" of America, but his political orientation suggests he may not fully understand the magnitude of the challenge he issued.  The tasks are not simply (as though these were simple!) to restore the economy, improve our foreign relations, and reestablish civil government.  The task ahead is much larger than that.  We must remake American society.



As Dennis Hopper said in a recent commercial, "you have to have a plan."  Clearly, the "remaking" of America requires a concerted, focused effort that defines goals, strategies, and tasks and that assigns responsibility for accomplishment.  Only the top level goals can be articulated in this limited space. Details so voluminous as to overwhelm the best program management software await definition as Americans join the crusade.  One thing is clear: this is not a government-led effort.

To remake America, we must march on two fronts.  First we must revitalize our social fabric by reconnecting with the culture and traditions that made America unique, successful, and a place others wanted to live.  Instead of diversity, we must emphasize unity.  We must recognize the unique system of constitutional government defined by the Framers, understand why and how that system produced a vibrant, democratic society, and begin again to teach the principles and values of America in our schools and universities.  Internationalism and multiculturalism must give way to Americanism.  It is the American culture after all, that draws people to our shores.   A new high school history curriculum, an American Culture road show for those out of school, recognition of our national language, and discussions about our culture and democratic traditions must rekindle the spirit some refer to as a 'civic religion.'   We have no reason to look to other parts of the world; we need only review our own history for inspiration and example.

Our second front involves an attack on our government institutions.  I use the word 'attack' advisedly, because small measures cannot succeed in face of the leviathan our federal government now is.  We can't change government by writing to elected officials, the very people who, through personal ambition, greed, indifference, or incompetence participate in the unmaking of America.  Lest we conform to Einstein's definition of insanity, we must find a new approach.

To restore American polity and gain the attention and support of the American people, our constitutional democracy must be restored.  Americans must relearn a few simple ideas: first, that government closest to the people is most representative of the people: more democratic. Thus, state and local governments should have more power than the federal.  To accomplish this, restore the Tenth Amendment assignment of authority to 'the states and to the people,' and be rid of the massive federal bureaucracy that saps our energy and our attention.  Second, we must recognize history's verdict that socialism does not work, and attend to Margaret Thatcher's pronouncement that socialism is inherently immoral.  The welfare state is unworkable, immoral, un-American.  

Fortunately, we have a blueprint for effective government: the US Constitution.  We simply need to apply it as its writers intended and adhere to its principles.  Every American should read the Constitution and support officials who put its principles into practice.  Americans must not only vote, but demonstrate, march, and speak out against offenses to our Constitution. And, as individuals we must stand on our own two feet and expect less from Washington while at the same time participating more in government at all levels.

Some point to the mammoth nature of the challenge and say America is too far gone: too far down the road of big government socialism and personal indifference.  I for one believe our new president challenged Americans to be greater than that defeatism implies and to emulate the spirit of our ancestors who faced more daunting challenges and defeated them.  We need only look into the eyes of our grandchildren to understand why we must act.



Fritz Mehrtens is a retired Army officer and aerospace executive who now pursues an avid interest in public policy.  He lives with his wife in Irvine, California. Fritz can be contacted via e-mail at: fjmehr@usa.net.