No One Asked Me But… (August 11, 2021)

By DR. LARRY MOSES

No one asked me but… The American people are being bombarded by negative propaganda from every corner. Every issue is a crisis and the American people are to blame. The media and those in power contend that Americans are institutional racists, greedy, selfish, uncaring people who hate the environment and their fellow man. Let me tell you what I believe about America and its people.
Americans are idealistic believers in the good; and that goodness is intrinsic to the American character. Americans prize courage, heroism, perservance, honesty, generosity, charity, loyalty, neighborliness, decency, the determination to do what is right, and initiative. I am not talking about our politicians, I am talking about the American who lives next door.

I believe Americans are a faith-based people possessing an abiding belief in God and this faith holds a crucial place in our national heritage. Americans practice their various religious beliefs in many languages; be it in a church, cathedral, temple, synagogue, or in nature itself. This diversity of faith still leaves America “one nation under God.”

I will discuss five of the characteristics ascribed above: heroism, charity, honesty, neighborliness, initiative.

Heroism has been laced throughout the foundations of America like reinforced concrete. The pages of our history is laced with exploits of heroes. The pilgrims who braved an ocean and an unknown frontier.

The men who stood at Lexington and Concord and later with George Washington facing the greatest military might in the world to form a new country. Those who fought and those who died to end slavery in America. Those men who died, including my father, during World War II, to save the world from the domination of a madman.

Stop a dozen people on the street and you will get a different definition of Heroism. Some believe it is the willingness to risk physical danger in the defense of what is right and the defense of the defenseless.

Others may believe it must reflect nobility, sacrifice, and selflessness. Some see it in the ability to inspire the best from those around them.

I believe one of the most heroic acts I ever witnessed was a young high school wrestler who in the process of winning a wrestling tournament wrestled a young man who was physically handicapped.

When the award for the top wrestler in his class was given to him he called his opponent to the victors stand and gave him the award stating the young handicapped wrestler was the real champion that day. This hero happens to be from our valley.

I believe the real heroes of America are the folks who do their jobs, whatever that job maybe. Those who raise their families, meet their responsibilities, and pass their lives quietly and decently.

Charity was not invented by Americans but with diligent practice we raised it to a new level and made it a part of our national character. Americans practice charity on a huge scale with vast agencies attending to domestic needs while the entire nation serves as an abundant reservoir for world-wide relief.

The private face of charity is characterized by deeds of goodwill and benevolence carried out by individuals acting in the spirit of brotherly love. Charity in the American spirit is sensitive, warm, compassionate, and it is given with affection, humility, and modesty. It is intended to aid the receiver, not aggrandize the giver. It is offered to bolster the needy not only physically but spiritually as well. It is given without the thought of personal reward or recognition.

Americans prize Honesty and it is the backbone of our character. We will be bombarded with stories of dishonest corrupt politicians and double-dealing business operators. The reason this is news is because it is the exception to the rule, which is Honesty. There is no story for the media to sensationalize when dealing with the vast majority of the American lawmakers who fill their elected positions with integrity and honesty. Long after the crooks and cheats have faded from our memories, we will recall these men of honor.

No personal or national trait is more highly regarded than honesty. We respect it and expect it. There is no better compliment that we can pay someone than to call them “honest.” How do we remember one of our greatest presidents: not as compassionate, courageous, brilliant, crafty, wise, artful or humorous, even though he was all of these? We remember him as “honest” Abe Lincoln.

The term honesty is multi-dimensional as it implies integrity, ethical behavior, truthfulness, straight-shooting, square-dealing, and decency. Manners don’t count when no one is looking but morals do and honesty is a major component of morals.

We value people who are honest even when it is not convenient, those who do the right thing when it would be easier (and perhaps more profitable) to do wrong. Americans glorify in the deeds of those who are honest even when they don’t have to be.

Americans are good neighbors, as they are sensitive to the needs of those around them. We need not live next door to a person to be their neighbor. The American neighbor has a lend-a-hand spirit and this spirit has left an imprint on many of the themes of what it means to be an American. This neighborly spirit is found in giving shelter to stranded travelers, helping needy individuals on the streets of America, helping flood, fire, and hurricane victims.

All Americans prize initiative, the bold resourcefulness of enterprise. This characteristic fueled America’s discovery, exploration, and settlement. It energized the accomplishments of America’s premier inventors, scientists, industrialists, and developers. One of my favorite John Madden quotes is “Never mind the horse is blind, just load the wagon.” Less dramatic but equally as evident is the practical initiative of unsung everyday Americans.

When you watch the evening news as it bashes America for its shortcomings, crisis, and destruction, remember the news is merely political exploration of events. Center your thoughts on the true characteristics of America, the freest and greatest nation in the world.
Keep in mind that people are fleeing to America not from it. We must center ourselves on our national characteristics and not on the ranting and raving of the politically tainted news media as they expound on the ranting and raving of the extreme right or left.
Thought of the week… A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.
– Tony Blair