Why are Americans so unpopular overseas? The most logical answer is, because they don’t know us. For the most part, foreigners only know the image projected by our least worthy representatives. Even with the advantage of firsthand experience, too many of us still succumb to this false image as well.
When the President and the media say “America is bad,” not only do our neighbors believe it, but so do most of our own fine citizens. If no one will defend our honor, the world is left to assume that their bogus allegations are true.
When we fail to adequately refute anti-American propaganda we encourage our enemies at home and help confirm the image they sell abroad; being that, “Americans are arrogant, undeservedly wealthy, selfish and petty.” And the saddest fact is: based on the standards of good citizenship, at least some of those labels appear accurate.
The rest of humanity knows the U.S. Federal Government and its agents. They know Exxon-Mobile. They know Halliburton and Kellogg, Brown and Root. They know Warner Brothers, CNN, NFL and Disney. They know McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Rap music. Sadly, they also know Blackwater.
Where once we were loved, now we are despised. Twice we “saved the world;” our soldiers’ graves on liberated foreign soil as testament. Now we are cast as arrogant bullies. Once we boasted a matchless economic system; creating such prosperity that our currency became the preferred international coin. Now we are gripped by economic catastrophe which is falsely blamed on the “failure of Capitalism.”
So how did the most righteous, beneficent and honored nation in history get such a bad rep? Well it wasn’t easy. It has taken a century of public amnesia, persistent propaganda, mass indoctrination in behavior conditioning centers (otherwise known as public schools); and the persistent incremental repudiation of both constitutional law and the natural rights of citizens. And of course, a large side order of economic thralldom.
Albert Einstein observed, “Those who have the privilege to know, have the duty to act."
The most disappointing factor in this charade is that those who know better do little or nothing to challenge it. They understand the source and necessities of our virtue and nobility, but are almost silent in the face of mounting anti-American propaganda. It’s unrealistic to assume that our defamers will “see the light” and suddenly start defending our rightful status. It doesn’t seem likely that our would-be defenders; stricken dumb by the anti-America faction, will suddenly rise to the necessity either.
So, just as with every other political error, it’s up to us to shoulder the burden again.
We the People must exercise the power granted us at birth to restore our reputation – not as a government, corporate or media image; but as an expression of the hearts, minds and souls of real American people. When leaders say that Americans are arrogant or greedy, we can show the world our true character by dismantling the political-banking-corporate Cabal, and establishing a new order that justly represents and respectfully protects our rights, our dignity and our reputation.
So how do we change our image at home and abroad? We do so by assuming the duties and responsibilities of free people. When we remain vigilant and act intelligently on our lawful authority to restrain our government, we can work to remedy any legitimate complaints. There will always be those who hate us simply because we are good. Will they despise us regardless of how we behave? Probably; but when we put a stop to military adventuring, empire building, “nation building,” foreign occupations and global “policing,” our neighbors will better appreciate the true American character. Restraining our government to its constitutional limits will restore not only our international reputation, but also our domestic liberties.
There are a number of things any of us can do to help polish our image at home and abroad:
• Support freedom causes: There are dozens of grassroots organizations that are working to influence legislation; provide reasoned talking points on public policy issues; build public consensus and develop strategic coordination. Just joining one or more of them is a great move. Its often cost-free, although they may be asking for donations. Check out Give Me Liberty.org; The Patriotic Resistance; FreedomWorks; Tea Party Patriots; The 912 Coalition; Freedom Force International; Ron Paul’s Campaign for Liberty; and please remember the Libertarian Party.
• Support good legislation: (your patriot network can keep you informed). Contact your Representatives and Senators directly, to register your opinion on legislation. You can also contact your state and local officials for the same purpose.
Many states are considering some form of state sovereignty legislation. This would be a good issue to advocate at the state and local levels. At the federal level, there are a number of bills that deserve support from freedom loving Americans. For a start, we can actively support a couple of Bills recently introduced:
Federal Reserve Transparency Act, HR1207; and the Federal Reserve Sunshine Act S-604; both intended to expose the secret processes employed by unelected officials who hold our economic well-being in their power. Another bill that should be fervently supported by patriot-citizens is the Enumerated Powers Act HR 450; which requires every Bill to stipulate the enumerated powers of the Constitution from which it draws its authority. These three bills will significantly advance the restoration of the Republic by imposing transparency and accountability for economic and monetary policy decisions; and by forcing lawmakers to act within the confines of their lawful power.
A word of caution: The last two popular revolts – the Anti-war and Civil Rights Movements of the 60’s – both ultimately resulted in the expansion of government power and the further decline of self-determination. When leaders of these movements joined the Washington oligarchy, they embraced the same rudderless autocracy they once opposed. Ultimately, these rebellions only gave us new rhetoric to rationalize the status quo. Today our government still engages in reckless global militarism and blacks are still largely sidelined by a bureaucratic system of “assistance” that wounds their dignity far more than Jim Crow ever could have.
If we are to mount another rebellion, we must assure that it is rooted in the values that made America great: limited government, moral consensus, liberty, equal justice and Capitalism.
The greatest factors that sully our national reputation and undermine our God-given Rights are our apathy, naiveté and moral ambiguity as a people. If we can get off our sofas; scrutinize public policy under the lens of moral integrity; and ruthlessly hold our servant government accountable; we may earn the liberty and prosperity our heritage promises.
