Ben Stein: July 4 About Freedom and Dignity

(CBS)  Some thoughts on Independence Day now from our contributor Ben Stein:

Two hundred and thirty four years ago, a group of very brave Americans came out with the rough draft of the best idea for human organization in the history of the world: a nation in which the government would run not by a monarch, but by the consent of the governed.

As I said, that was a rough draft, that Declaration of Independence. For generations, Americans lacked the ability to govern themselves because of their race, and then for a while after that because of their sex, and even for longer, because they didn't have enough money.

But in a miraculous process, through wars and protests and lawsuits and demonstrations, this American nation now truly is run by the consent of all of the governed, of all races, creeds, sexes, and economic stations.

This truly is a miracle in human history. Its glory can be demonstrated by a simple test, as former Prime Minister Tony Blair once said, "How many want in and how many want out." Very few people leave this country voluntarily, and a heck of a lot risk their lives to get in and stay in.

Now, we are under attack by a creed that hates the freedom and human dignity this country stands for. Those people have serious power to hurt us, as we have learned. And some people say we cannot beat them because you cannot fight an idea.

But that is exactly why we are going to win: because the idea that the founders came up with in 1776 is the one that is closest to the deepest aspirations of the human heart: freedom and individual dignity. The men and women who risk their lives to vote in Iraq and Afghanistan, our brave men and women who offer up their lives for this ideal, the millions who want to come here prove that the Founders had hit a home run. Or, put it this way, how many taxi drivers do you suppose there are in Pakistan who left New York City to move there?

We and the other free societies are where the human soul wants to be, and on this Independence Day, We are not red America or blue America, to coin a phrase. We are a very blessed America and the future belongs to the free.

[barbaram99]

On the 4th of July I looked at the flag I love since a little girl, I thought of my late father who I miss more and more each passing day. He was a vet. I am a birthright American and when I think of this nation I am so sad. My father and the US Constution gives me the right to my say. I am appalled that Ameica has fallen and by that I mean she has lost her vision of her founding. I don't believe in war and I do not believe in the right to bear arms. I have alway felt that way. My father was a hunter when he was alive that I know hunting is for putting meat on the family table. I do not take for granted my American birthright. It is true I never had to raise my hand to take the oath of citienship but I do welcome the new Americans thru being natioalised. The hard work in learning to be Americans.

[expatinlondon]

Thank you for a lovely, touching essay. I spent my morning at a political rally in London for political prisoners in Iran. The stories, pictures and absolute injustice sent shivers to the core of my very being: women sentenced to stoning, 15 year-old boys hanged, all for speaking out against a government they see as illegitimate. Everyone I met spoke about America with such a smile, such warmth and admiration. We, as Americans are so very blessed. We aren't perfect, but we never stop striving to become so. Don't be so angry with your fellow Americans who don't agree politically with you; stop and be so thankful that we can disagree and no one will loose their life because of it.

[TVO1CITW]

Well said Ben Stein.

[saucymugwump]

Oh, say, can you see, through your wrap-around tea bag,
What so proudly we hail'd at American manufacturing's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, with a "Made in China" tag,
O'er the La-Z-Boys we watch'd Fox News, Glenn Beck gallantly beaming?
Amid the TV cameras' harsh glare, Republicans slipping $50 bills into strippers' underwear,
Gave proof throughout the session that our politicians were all airheads.
O say, do those Walmart rollback banners yet wave, along with minimum-wage workers who greet,
O'er the land of the multinational corporation and the home of Wall Street?

http://saucymugwump.blogspot.com/

[barbaram99]

Nothing is free ..Freedom is what America is all about,,It is true America was not,is not and never will a Christian nation, The founding fathers were Deists. That is true. That is ok with me. The US's birthday is July 4,1776 when she became a nation. America is older. We are talking about the US of A.

[ddaryl]

We are not free.... name one place I can go in this ocuntry that will allow me ot live off th eland free from any persecution of taxation...

nothing is free here... and the corporations are setting up our government for their eventual take over...When things get real bad th ebuillion $$$ wallstreet corps will offer sweet heart deals to entice those who are desperate and those who are looking for work a place to live food to eat all in trade for loyalty to the corporate logo... in the ned will be flying corproate flags and the Ameircan flag will be nothing but a foot note in history.

wake up people... wallstreet is orchestrating a global takeover.

[daffy64]

" Very few people leave this country voluntarily, and a heck of a lot risk their lives to get in and stay in. "



Um. No thanks. I'll stay in Canada. Less racism, guns, and rednecks.

[Berkeley-SkirtLifter]

Less traffic problems too.

[Berkeley-SkirtLifter]

BUT ... and this is a big BUT, this is an American holiday, and you could say something nice, instead, you focus on perceived liabilities.

The litmus test you so conveniently posted holds true. Although imperfect, the US is a wonderful country. More people come here than leave.

I don't know if this is really the the US's B-day, or the day of it's conception, but - - - Happy Independence Day to all her citizens.

[tsigili]

Well, I would have to disagree with Ben. That was yesterday. Today, we have a dictator in the WH, who goes against the will of the people, on most issues, people are never truly free, as they are bound by laws and rules every where they go, even in their own home, because of HOA's, and we have little diginity left, because we are treated like "the hired help" every where we go, especially at work.

There are many countries now, who actually are higher on the list of "best places to live" than the US is, I might remind, Ben.

We are also about to be taxed to death, to pay for social programs that waste tons of money, and have run our national debt to the highest level ever, and farther into the future than ever.

No Ben......this time you have missed the boat. The boat to a better lifestyle, in another country.

[starleo146]

You and what you say here is why America is struggling, America is Freedom otherwise you couldn't say all you commented on here, May I ask why are you here go to the places that are higher on your list.

It is all about you, we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and because it is not all what you are, you condemn our president, our country.Have you ever once thought we are here because of mistakes made prior to Jan.2009.

That is the problem as I see it with the people who so disagree with all that is not them, you have a right to say it, but I have a right to denounce it.
The right wing of this country wants everyone to be them, and demonstrate, and shout, and point fingers, to shove their philosophy down our throats, and if we do not adhere to this philosophy we are not American.

I just want to say I love my country, I love my President, I love all that is good in the Declaration of Independence so please do yourself a favor and look on line and read it.No country anywhere has the principals we fought for in 1776.You will not take that away from America's heart, it is inbred to never give up those values, not for you or anyone. America will wake up and notice what your kind are saying about her and when she does look out they will run you off to that better lifestyle in another country you long for.

[afmcalax]

Huh? The last time I looked President Obama was actually elected by a large majority of voters in the last election. His party was also chosen by these same American voters to have large majorities in both the House and Senate. The legislation that has passed has been openly debated and voted on; sometimes with Republican support - sometimes with none. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that the minority can halt the will of the majority. This is called a Democracy where duly elected representatives debate and vote on a bill. If it gets a majority of votes it passes.

Now a dictatorship is where the minority party tries to force its will on the people via fear and intimidation. They rile up their base and get them to try to exert their minority opinions by silencing the majority. This the Republicans, their propaganda network (Fox News) and their Tea Party zealots have tried continuously over the last 10 to 12 years.

Americans voted in Democrats to govern after 8 years of Corporate rule by the Republicans. Our tax burdens are less than almost all first tier countries. The disaster of a Corporate policed economy has forced deficits to this high level. It took 8 years of Republican rule to devastate the economy; Obama has only been in office 18 months trying to fix it. Maturity demands paitiece.

[anchower]

Thanks for acknowledging, Mr. Stein, that the first couple centuries of America's existence were more blot than escutcheon.

However, Muslims don't hate us for our "freedom and human dignity this country stands for." They hate us because we support Israel in the denial of freedom to the Palestinians, and because of our unprovoked invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Get serious.

[Another_Devil_Advocate]

Yes, America is not perfect.

But for all her faults and imperfection, She brings this simple message to the world.... America is about freedom and will always be a model of Democracy now and to the years to come.

Happy Birthday America.

[daffy64]

Model of freedom? You had slavery decades before most countries abolished it. And you can't even marry the adult of your choosing there.