Sunday, June 28, 1998

As we approach another Fourth of July, the American Dream is still alive

By Maxwell Davis

The United States has properly been called the land of opportunity. To understand why, we must examine several aspects of our heritage. The country was populated by people who wanted to get away from the effects of European feudalism. They wanted to be free. This was the basic principle on which the Constitution was written.

People soon learned freedom does not come cheaply. It must be won, guarded and defended when necessary. It also requires that everyone accept responsibility for himself, his family and for the officials he elects to govern.

There developed what we like to call "The American Dream." It basically said a person could rise as high and go as far as his natural talents would take him. He was not confined by birth to some feudal level, as in Europe. In less than two centuries, people with this dream and a pioneer spirit went into a wilderness and carved the greatest nation the world has ever seen.

What, besides our Constitution and pioneer spirit, made America unique? One thing that comes to mind is our flag, the Stars and Stripes. It has always served us well as a symbol of nationalism and patriotism. This was no small feat, with the diversity of ethnic backgrounds, sometimes hostile, which became the American experience. Old Glory flying in the breeze gave them a common bond of unity.

Perhaps the most practical thing about America's uniqueness was that we had an empire on our own doorstep. Our ancestors did not have to follow European countries to the far-flung reaches of the earth to find riches. They were right next door. Originally, this empire started just across the Appalachian Mountains. It slowly moved west as the country expanded. If a person became unhappy with his lot, he could always go west to seek his fortune. All he needed was an ax, a musket and a horse, mule or ox, if he planned to farm.

And what did he find in this wilderness empire? He found an abundance of minerals to provide energy and ores for factories, shops and houses. He also found an agricultural Garden of Eden. From the corn belt in the North, to the cotton belt in the South, to the variety of grain harvested in the Plains states, to the fruits and vegetables grown in Florida, southern Texas and on the West Coast, to the beef of Texas, it was and truly is a land flowing with milk and honey. Add to this the seafood found in our coastal waters and the vast stands of timber found in various parts of the country.

These resources were a big responsibility. In response, the northern states developed a base of industry and industrial wealth, while the southern states developed an agricultural base to supply raw materials to northern industry.

The American dream is still thriving. Special interest groups and a few well-meaning people who want to redefine it in terms of an egalitarian society may have distorted it to some degree, but the old definition is still viable. As yet, no one has figured out a practical way to achieve their egalitarian goals.

Perhaps the frontiers have largely disappeared, and it is more difficult to develop a pioneer spirit in today's complex society. But the opportunities are still there for those willing to take the risk, make the effort, learn from their mistakes and not be afraid of failure.

Of course, not everyone can be an entrepreneur. Most of us have much smaller ambitions. We look for the chance to do an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. This is also the American dream. We work hard, save and invest for emergencies and retirement and look to God for guidance and help.

The special interest groups, who prefer to look to the government for everything, seem to want the federal government as a new feudal lord, with bureaucrats becoming the new aristocracy. This is the surest way I know to lose our freedom.

I am still optimistic, however. In spite of a few demagogues and their followers, people with the American spirit still challenge the fates, take their hard knocks and come out winners, or die trying.

This is still the land of opportunity.

Maxwell Davis is a semi-retired Abilene geologist and longtime Republican Party activist.