America's Creed!

America’s self-conception is described by our Declaration
It proclaims a set of premises about what it means to be our Nation.
Its purposes and promises are detailed in the Constitution,
But their practical realization has had a long and arduous evolution.

America’s officials are elected to govern, not to rule.
Just power is not a weapon, but a tool.
Elected officials should strive to mend our Union’s fissures;

Not to pursue dominance while solidarity withers.

Politics must foster progress, not further partisan gain
Those who divide to conquer the nation’s honor stain;
Every agency and officer must secure everyone’s human and civil rights;
Whether the persons be Blacks, Browns, Reds, Yellows, or Whites

America’s Republic forms one nation and one people - indivisible;
Words and deeds disruptive to unity are frankly impermissible.
All patriotic Americans must rally to its banner
And seek liberty and justice for all in a firm and honorable manner.

Now we once again face times that try our souls;
Will, we stand by America’s ideals and struggle for its goals?
Without a renewed commitment of lives, fortunes, and sacred honor,
The last, best hope of humankind may soon become a goner.

Honor obliges us as Marines, Sailors, Airmen, Guardians, or Soldiers,
To once again take this burden on our shoulders!
And revive the resolve celebrated in our stories and our songs
And strive anew to set right many of these wrongs.

Although times are turbulent, the raging battle is not lost;
Now, all true American patriots must pay a portion of the cost.
Let us resume the struggle to bring our destiny to be;
And ensure treachery no longer stains the banner of the free

America will not bloom as what it must and ought to be
Unless all of us assume and well perform our solemn duty
Our hallowed Republic and its Constitutional ideals
Will not be fully and firmly realized while so many blithely cool their heels,

America’s Creed is splendid and no burden to defend
But if words don't become actions, our shame will never end.
Every sworn and silent enemy must be confronted and defeated.
Citizens must affirm and advance the Creed until its realization is completed!

So, my dear compatriots, there's not much more to say.
The crucial question remains: “Will we rally and save the day?”
Despite our manifest differences, we are all equally human,
And the dictum driving us forward must be “E Pluribus Unum!”

R. Lawrence Conley

12 September 2018

Photo credit: https://www.geoghanart.com/New-Additions-2018/JANUARY-2018/i-rxHvmKd

Racial slurs and racist threats at various PA schools and school events prompted me to write this.

For a long time, I have thought and said that too many of our compatriots are American by nationality only, but are unamerican in word and deed. As Henry Wallace correctly said:

                         “It may be shocking to some people in this country to

                          realize that, without meaning to do so, they hold views in

                          common with Hitler when they preach discrimination

                          against other religious, racial or economic groups.”

It is high time and long past for every citizen of goodwill to affirm and advance the true meaning of America's Creed!

“We can’t all be Washingtons, but we can all be patriots.” - Charles F. Browne

“There is much more to being a patriot and a citizen than reciting the pledge or raising a flag.” - Jesse Ventura

“Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.” - President John Quincy Adams

“True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.” ~Clarence Darrow

“Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” ― Adlai E. Stevenson II