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March 09, 2008

Patriot's Moral Code

Sometimes it is hard for me to put into words why I am a liberal.
Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer do a very good job of it in their book "A True Patriot".
It actually calls itself a "pamphlet".
And it includes:

"The Patriot's Moral Code"

WE ARE PATRIOTS. We believe in America's national ideals. We believe America has an indisputable purpose in the world: to demonstrate, the power of freedom and equal opportunity.

True patriots know that America was founded in freedom - to speak, to worship, to choose whatever path to happiness suits us best - but with freedom comes an equal responsibility to country, community and family.

True patriots believe what enables a free society to remain strong is a set of traditional virtues and values: pragmatism tied to principle, honesty and integrity, honesty and personal initiative, responsiblity and self-discipline, fairness and compassion, competitive striving and fair play, desire to serve the nation and a kinship with the world.

True patriots believe that freedom from responsiblity is selfishness, freedom from sacrifice is cowardice, freedom from tolerance is prejudice, freedom from stewardship is exploitation, and freedom from compassion is cruelty.

True patriots know that we should measure our nation's progress by whether every citizen has a fair shot to advance on the basis of talent and merit, and by the degree to which we promote the common success of all our citizens. Freedom without an equal chance to enjoy it is no freedom at all.

True patriots believe it is immoral when inequality of opportunity leads to and perpetuates inequality itself. On a truly level playing field, some will do much better than others because we are not all equally talented or motivated. But when the tilt of the field keeps even the talented from ever winning, that is unfair and un-American.

True patriots believe we should measure a citizen's worth by contribution to country and community, not by wealth or power - that those whom America has benefited most should contribute in proportion to their good fortune - and that serving others should be esteemed more highly than serving self.

These were the ideals of the founders of our country and the defenders of our union. They have made America unique and necessary from the beginning. And now it is time for them to inspire a new generation of Americans.

I think they've said it all.
Remember why we are liberals, and patriots, and stand proudly.

Posted by Mac at March 9, 2008 02:59 AM