a Ricology and Publius perspective
I’ve often wondered what happened to America. A nation: “an Empire in many respects the most interesting in the world,” built on the premise of “general liberty and independence” (Federalist 1 and 2), but today, discombobulated, and devoid of original intent. A country, in its current incarnation, the antithesis of the original. One that’s become inherently evil through those elected, who swore to uphold and defend, now, and in truth, desirous to reimagine yet again. I was raised in a time that bespoke America great, the protector of the weak, a purveyor for truth. Although, does truth bely the lie of intent, making “one nation under God,” in actuality, a realm of hidden deviant decadence. An oxymoron of conflicts, one being the action of strength by aggression, in lieu of peace through strength. But what dictates the designed truth of intent? Does one study history to discern fact, or rely on another’s presentation of false narratives?
As national and world events continue to unfold, I wonder if the war over and of Afghanistan’s end will be a mirror image of America to come. That outcome, an imperialist resolve to inflict on another country the change it demands of itself; having failed there, a precursor to success here. Or Ukraine, the most recent thread of contention, another attempt to drag America into another conflict that will have no end. The threat of nuclear Armageddon the impetus to send thousands of youths to their deaths, sans any clear reason why America should have involved itself to begin or present an outcome objective to achieve a win defined. Even those citizens who “Stand with Ukraine,” will they grab a weapon themselves and go, or send their own children to sacrifice their lives for a cause they most likely do not understand. History recycled of repeated injury by a government induced infliction on its own citizens, a forced belief in the greatness of itself if it commits to aggression to change what it has no power to control. A hiding of obvious evil intent, as those who now lead profess.
America, the nation, having been born from the ashes of war, designed for the purpose of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration of Independence). Yet, through war, a nation that evolved from one of being subjugated to commanding world power. And once the euphoric high of dominant strength induced even more desire, like an addict unable to break their habit, the magic elixir of power having been consumed, could any good really be extant?
The adage – to the victor goes the spoils, dictates who writes history, begging, was the version taught when I was in school truth, a lie, or only an intent to deceive. Whereas is the supposed truth spoken today the lie, based on a repressive history of a nation inherently good, only manipulated by party for power, a grab for ultimate control, most never knowing which side attempts to obtain, yet:
It is too true, however disgraceful it may be to human nature, that nations in general will make war whenever they have a prospect of getting anything by it; nay, absolute monarchs will often make war when their nations are to get nothing by it, but for the purposes and objects merely personal, such as thirst for military glory, revenge for personal affronts, ambition, or private compacts to aggrandize or support their particular families or partisans. (Federalist 4)
In 1950, the book – Your Rugged Constitution debuted. An instruction manual for the masses to understand the premise of the foundation laid to carry the nation through perpetuity - “a more perfect Union,” from the failings of a less than perfect one. One of many paragraphs spoke: The United States loves peace and works within the United Nations and in many other ways to keep peace in the world. But we have the strength to fight hard against our enemies, whether they threaten all the states or only one of them. This is called the “common defense.” Partly because our Constitution has wise plans for the common defense, our country has never lost a war in all its history.
Of the books misguided beliefs on multiple fronts, since the first printing, America has lost politically every conflict its perpetrated on itself. Korea, like Vietnam, then Iraq and Afghanistan, all abject failures, the warriors betrayed, making history, and national disgrace, a vicious cycle of truth to lies, and lies to truth, to decide which:
The causes of hostility among nations are innumerable. There are some which have a general and almost constant operation upon the collective bodies of society. Of this description are the love of power or the desire of pre-eminence and dominion – the jealousy of power, or the desire of equality and safety. (Federalist 6)
WE THE PEOPLE … three words that most Americans have no idea the design, and intent of the meaning, the importance of, or the concept which, the power each holds in their hands … in Order to form a more perfect Union … the result of an initially rushed and failing concept, shifting from thirteen independent and barely united States to thirteen fully united but independently connected States, including the desire not to provoke war … establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity … against those of imperialist desire, the Framer’s having lived through the subjugation of their freedoms through imperialism.
America should be a nation strong, yet fragile, its design, dependent on the will of the people to ensure the power is not usurped by those entrusted to defend and protect, while they preserve and uphold for future posterity to enjoy. Although, history has proven those in power desire more power. And there has been, presidents, past and present, their desire to be known as “war presidents,” displaying a cognitive dissonance between their fealty to the oath of office to protect the Constitution, and their desire for immortality. A willingness to sacrifice thousands, to preserve their place in history. I often wonder, can a government spiritually, morally, and fiscally corrupt survive its intent to betray? Or, as now proposed by those in control; be dismantled, destroyed, disposed of, or pushed into another war of deceit. If history has any truth to bear … no.