Since the basic purpose of this blog is to define a document the American people can live with let me restate the premises of the New Manifesto.
1. The government belongs to the people, not the other way around. This is our country. The bureaucrats and politicians guide it by our authority. Remember that when it comes time to vote.
2. Our leaders must not try to appear perfect. We all make mistakes. Admit them. Learn from them and move on.
3. Private ownership of the means of production is the cornerstone of our economic strength. This does NOT mean CORPORATE ownership and does not encourage outsourcing good paying jobs overseas while encouraging marginally paying jobs to be filled by illegal immigrants.
4. This is a land of immigrants. Every time cheaper labor was needed waves of immigrants came to this country, Chinese, Irish, Poles, Germans, Africans. Each group was treated badly when they came (especially the Africans) but ultimately they all became Americans. If people want to come to live in our ghettos, let them do it legally.
5. War is always a last resort, but the object of the war must be of the first agreement between ALL people in the society. Otherwise, no war.
6. Our first response to a threat is to negotiate and determine the cause of the hostility.
7. Our first response to an attack on our soil is a response in kind, but magnified a hundred fold.
8. Peaceful use of nuclear energy is a beautiful thing. But see 7 for our response to a nuclear attack.
9. Energy independence is mandatory. The sun is the source of all energy consumed, excepting nuclear. It shines on all of us.
10. The Constitution of the United States is a darn good document. It mandates the separation of powers and thus we should encourage all branches of government to be separate.
11. The Bill of Rights, as appended to the US Constitution, is a damn fine document itself. No leader has the right to abrogate any of those rights. This is what prevents us from becoming a totalitarian state.
12. Health care is not a right. However, it is a necessity. The purpose of government is to protect the individual and provide those services we can't provide individually. Health care is one of these services. Anything less is un American.
And lastly, What does it mean to be an American?
It means to be a individualist and an individual.
It means to Love your neighbor like your brother.
It means to stand tall and strong in time of threat.
It means to be creative and inventive and productive.
It means to be involved in the creation and re-creation of your government.
It means cherishing this country and its history, with all the flaws and blemishes, mistakes and arrogance. Our history is not perfect, but our ideals are.
