Knowing What We Fight For

As a college student and a lowly intern here at American Majority, I feel like I am diving head first into the world of political action, especially the realm of the new media. Nonetheless, I am excited to stretch my wings in this new means of communication, writing for a bigger audience than I have ever had. I cannot think of a better way to step into the spotlight than to unashamedly bring my own perspective, hoping that you, the patriots, will be challenged and stimulated by my food for thought.

As I peruse the previous blogs posted here, I have no doubt that the folks at AM know their principles, and know how to engage in this struggle for liberty and fiscal sanity. The question I bring to the table is this: Why do we do it? Why do we dedicate the hours to meetings, trainings, rallies, blogs, libraries, and the like? To narrow the concept further, why do you do it? We so often look to the past for our motivation. Many of you will point me to our first principles, precedents of liberty to be found in our rich history. But I challenge you to think toward the future and put your finger on what it is that motivates you. What do you need to see in order for you to decide that all of this time and effort will have been worthwhile? This may seem like a simple answer, and many would quickly retort “liberty,” or “fiscal responsibility,” or “transparent government.” I agree with all of the above. Now, allow me to complicate it for you a little bit.

To those who would give me the first of these answers, I unfortunately cannot accept liberty as a rationale for political involvement. It is not liberty that motivates you, and if it is, you should think beyond it. An influential economist once wrote that wealth is worthless on its own. Its value is found in its potential to be exchanged for goods and services. That economist’s name was Karl Marx. Now, if you haven’t stopped reading at the mention of that oh-so-infamous name, allow me to apply Marx’s logic to my point. As money is not an end but a means, I challenge you to realize that liberty is not something to work for in and of itself. Liberty is meant to be exercised; what we struggle for is what we will do with that liberty. Will you use your freedom of speech for good, productive purposes? Will you be a responsible, exemplary gun owner? Take some time to consider the ways in which you will apply your personal freedom in a responsible way that benefits yourself, your family, and your society.

As for the second response, fiscal responsibility, I urge you to think beyond this oft-repeated answer. For most of us, this maxim implies a reduction of government spending, and more often, of taxes. We want lower taxes because we want more control of our wealth. We want to keep what we earn. It’s okay to nod in agreement, you don’t have to be ashamed. But I challenge you to think beyond bringing home more of your paycheck. Money is worthless unless we put it to use. How will you use it? Will you pocket it, invest it, buy more toys with it, pimp your ride with it? Will you give it charitably and generously, bringing love and goodwill to those in need? Thankfully, you are free to do whatever you want, but I urge you to know how you intend to handle your finances, deciding what will bring you the most satisfaction and fulfillment. We make signs for rallies decrying our government’s lack of fiscal responsibility, and this animosity is well founded. But take this a step further, and decide what your own fiscal policy will be.

Whether in financial, personal, or other forms of liberty, let us not sell ourselves short by neglecting to consider how we will become the upstanding citizens of tomorrow. We are not there yet, folks. We have a long road to liberty and fiscal sanity ahead of us, fraught with opposition the whole way. Here at American Majority, we strive to adhere to the first principles of our nation, implementing them in the fight to return America to the intent of our founders, constructing a civil society that will foster liberty, equality, and justice for all. So I urge you to know your principles. Know where you have come from. But beyond that, know where you are going. Decide now what kind of citizen you will be in five years, ten years. Think beyond the buzzwords of “liberty,” “low taxes,” “transparent government,” and know what you will do with these reclaimed freedoms, and how you will translate them into your unique contribution to this union of responsible citizens, the greatest civil society the world has ever known.