Paul Ericson

Newspaper editorials, cable networks and some members of Congress seem increasingly focused on explaining exactly what it means to be an American.

Having “defined” the “true” American character, they employ their personal definition to validate their views of what is wrong with America and to stigmatize, as un-American, those they accuse of being the cause of America’s problems. 

Many commentators invoke the intentions and actions of the Founding Fathers and other prominent Americans to justify their view of what is “American.” These references often bear little relation, however, to what those august gentlemen actually said, did or wrote. Others speak to the religious nature of this county’s foundation without acknowledging the core constitutional principle of ensuring religious freedom by establishing a purely secular government. 

The unique American character has been a focus of discussion since this nation’s founding. Tocqueville discussed it at length in the early 19th century. In the early 20th century, Turner traced the American character to its beginnings on the Colonial frontier.

As recently as 2009, Yahoo asked its readers to help define the traits of an American. Responses included honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility and respectability. Every year, the Bill of Rights Institute encourages students to compete in a national contest. Students are provided with a set of virtues — courage, perseverance, industry, responsibility, integrity, initiative and justice — as a starting point for their analysis on what it means to be an American. 

Is it even possible to agree on a definition of a true American that would satisfy both the left and right? Who, for example, is more of an American — the future president who seeks to avoid service in Vietnam or the son of illegal immigrants who volunteers for military service in Afghanistan?

Who better represents American values — the laborer who speaks halting English but pays all his taxes, or the highly educated entrepreneur who hides part of his earnings in overseas bank accounts? Is the politician who castigates his opponent for being un-American embodying the American values of compromise and respect for the views of others? 

It might be more appropriate to acknowledge that being an “American” does not correlate with one’s religious tradition, ethnic background, educational attainment or possibly even citizenship status.

When the first Americans were hewing a civilization out of wilderness on the Colonial frontier, one’s status, language, ethnic background or religion mattered far less than what one was able to contribute to the common good and whether one could be counted on when times were tough.  

Todd Wintermeyer offers a solution to this conundrum in an October 2009 edition of “The American Thinker” (a conservative online political magazine):

“In spite of the many valid criticisms leveled against John Adams, it is fair to argue that his ideal, that America was a ‘nation of laws, not of men,’ has been the bedrock of our nation’s longevity. At every crisis faced by our nation, the Constitution has always been there to temper the heated passions and calm the political tempests. The genius of the Constitution’s simplicity and brevity has been one of the keys to its permanence. However, it is only a piece of paper. It takes people — no, citizens — to create a civil, law abiding nation.”

All Americans should heed Mr. Wintermeyer’s advice. From its inception, America has been characterized by a diverse population united primarily by their mutual adherence to a set of laws, imperfectly designed, over time, by both conservative and liberal majorities.

The American way is anchored in the crafting and subsequent respect for these laws and, by implication, the political philosophies that led to their enactment. The American way is a shared commitment to the right of all the people to have an equal say.  The American way holds that no individual or group holds a patent on what it means to be an American.

The current plethora of self-righteous and polarizing definitions of “the American way” only serves to tear America down. It would not have been long tolerated on the Colonial frontier, where a mutuality of respect was essential to national prosperity.

Paul Ericson teaches social studies at Pinecrest High School. He previously served with the U.S. Army and the Central Intelligence Agency.

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Zippy 1 year, 8 months ago

This is one of the most intelligent and well written pieces on the issue of who are the true Americans, they are many, not just the "chosen" few the right likes to trot out. The notion of true Americans is used as a veiled form of discrimination by the right. It's part of the destructive, exclusionary, jingoistic rhetoric that characterizes so much Conservative sloganeering.

RmeMP 1 year, 8 months ago

@RKatrin-

I would like to correct you; it is those like you who like to lay blame on others who you do not agree with, who bring this country down - it is not "the right, and conservatives" as you put it. It is people like you, who I am only assuming is a liberal, who would allow open borders and welcome everything on the planet to come into out country without worry - therefore effectively making "our" country no longer; it would be just a place without laws or order. Do you know why "the right and conservatives" are so for protecting our country as is? IT'S BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR COUNTRY!!! How long have you served in our military, or law enforcement, placing your own life on the line to protect this beautiful country? This is just a guess here, but I'm going to say NEVER! You know why? In all the years I spent in the Army, sacrificing and watching good men die to protect your messed up view of our country, I never ONCE - NOT ONE TIME - met a "liberal" who was "in the foxhole with me". I'm NOT saying that being a veteran makes me a better person, but I am saying that people like ME, have given YOU the right to express your WRONG views... If you don't like it here - THEN LEAVE!!!

TheNeedle 1 year, 8 months ago

Apparently, this RMEMP person thinks no one has a right to an opinion unless they've been in the police or the military. Sounds to me like a call for a military dictatorship.

publius 1 year, 8 months ago

@RmeMP Would you consider sharing a foxhole with Senators Bob Kerry and Daniel Inouye, each of whom was awarded the Medal of Honor? How about George Washington? Clearly a big government federalist, he was considered very liberal for his time as well.

Zarah 1 year, 8 months ago

Well RmeMP, my husband is a former Marine (yeah, no such thing as an ex-Marine...), a current National Guardsman who has done a tour in Kosovo and two tours in Iraq in the last 10 years, AND a corrections officer in his 13th year of duty who is a liberal. I'd hazard a guess that anyone you ever served with who had any "liberal" leanings wouldn't have said anything within your hearing in order to avoid having to listen to you rant.

RmeMP 1 year, 8 months ago

I knew that my previous post would get the hippies fired up, lol.

1. @Needle-

Didn't pass reading comprehension in school did you? Maybe you didn't comprehend the part where I wrote, "I'm NOT saying that being a veteran makes me a better person"; nor did I at any time say that people didn't have a right to an opinion.

2. @ publius-

I NEVER said that I wouldn't serve with a person who had liberal views, I said that I did not know of a single Lib personally; I knew many Democrats, just not any nut case Liberals. What do I mean by nut case? Look no further than the first person you referenced - Senator Kerry. Have you ever heard of a little incident called, "The Thanh Phong Massacre"? You should google it, try comprehending what he did, then tell me how good of a person he is... As for Inouye and Washington? I wouldn't have a problem serving with either of them.

3. Zarah-

Sounds like you are married to an honorable man. Again, I never said that there aren't Liberal viewed members of our military, I said that I didn't know of any personally. As a matter of fact, a poll conducted by "The Army Times" reflected that only about 7% of all the military considered themselves "Liberal". Kinda proves my point don't you think?

Look, my first post was in responce to why "the right" are so fanatical to preserving our country, and not "changing" it. Conservatives love our country and are willing to defend it. While most liberals (not all) really don't like our country and would rather have others defend it for them. To the liberals the military is like a lawyer. You don't like him but you know he has a use - so you don't pay him and mostly ignore him until the time comes that you need him. The liberals would much rather turn our military over to the UN and turn our country into a place like France where we let other countries tell us what to do. Also to a liberal retreat and quitting is usually the best option when faced with a challenge. Of course you can also start blaming everyone else for your mistakes (like this administration does, ie: keep blaming Bush).

TheNeedle 1 year, 8 months ago

RMEMP, I comprehend just fine. You do indeed make the statement that you're not claiming being a veteran makes you a better person...the entire rest of your post, however, takes exactly that attitude. You act as if only a cop or a veteran has any right to an opinion.

Your anti-democracy rant is what's truly un-American. It disgraces whatever uniform you claim to have worn.

leftfield 1 year, 8 months ago

RmeMP, It's jarheads like you that make it so easy to be a Liberal.

Poundman 1 year, 8 months ago

I hope paul ericson is still teaching social studies when my daughter gets to Pinecrest.

GoldenDreams 1 year, 8 months ago

Poundman, my daughter is entering Pinecrest in the fall. I'm serious, please tell me about the teacher Paul Ericson. Is there actually a chance she will learn about fair-minded Americans and politics?

RmeMP 1 year, 8 months ago

@drazil- You're correct, I did volunteer; GLADLY, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Also, for your information, I do not, have not, nor ever will emply ANYONE to do my "lawn service". I have a house and 5 acres of property, which I gladly spend several hours upkeeping MYSELF every weekend thank you. I, unlike you bleeding hearts, do not support law breakers.

@needle- I have never once acted, or stated that, "as if only a cop or a veteran has any right to an opinion". What I was saying is that people who serve in particular occupations, usually have more pride in their country - than say a liberal who dances around in tights at a theater. BTW, where exactly did I go on an "anti-democracy rant"? I believe I instead was on a anti-liberal rant ;)

@leftfield- In case you didn't know, the term "jarhead" refers to a Marine; as you can tell (maybe not) by my handle, I served in the Army. You are correct about one thing though, people like me DO make it easy to be a liberal - people like me, pick up the slack and do the dirty work, so that you don't have to. People like you need people like me, so that you can waste your life doing nothing but worry about what you can get for free from the government next!

TheNeedle 1 year, 8 months ago

RMEMP: You really don't realize how arrogant and condescending you sound, do you? Drazil 's right about one thing: you really need to get over yourself.

recondo 1 year, 8 months ago

The american way is in part being able to do exactly what we are doing right this second express our personal opinions in a public forum without fear of getting a visit in the middle of the night by anyone from our government to wisk us away to a reeducation camp. The amercian way is what lives deep inside everyone of us conservative liberal democrat republican god fearing or the atheist and that is we can live our life the way we want to live it and damn what the other side thinks no matter which side you are on. that is the american way in my humble opinion.

Easygoing 1 year, 8 months ago

Paul, a well written and thoughtful essay on a very controversial subject. Please keep up the contributions. We all need to step back and realize we all share this earth and country and need to be much more considerate to our fellow human beings.

Poundman 1 year, 8 months ago

@goldendreams, say what? did you read the article?

pinewoodnc 1 year, 8 months ago

I guess folks just can't or won't read policies. Why can't folks just express their opinions (which is what this is supposedly all about) without calling names and becoming verbally abusive because they don't agree with something someone has written?

GoldenDreams 1 year, 8 months ago

Poundman, my fault. I didn't make myself clear. I obviously loved the article. What I meant to say is do you know the teacher personally or have heard stories about classroom style? I'd love to hear more.

RmeMP 1 year, 8 months ago

@drazil- if you truly believe that the military is "biggest welfare system the government has", then I feel truly sorry for you... You are free to think however you wish, and I am not even going to try and talk you out of it - but I can honestly say that was one of the STUPIDEST posts I believe I have ever read:(

BTW- #1 I am not retired - I am actually in the prime of my life, but unfortunetly not in the Army anymore, #2 I do in fact pay for my families health care every month - the government does not, and #3 I assure you that I can take care of myself (my family included) - can you? Especially if you HAD to?

PS - In this world there are hunters, and there are gatherers; you go ahead and pick the flowers, and I will provide you with meat ;)

leftfield 1 year, 8 months ago

RmeMP, One simple question. Where was the president born??

TheNeedle 1 year, 8 months ago

There seems to be no limit to RmeMP's exaggerated and pompous sense of self-importance.

RmeMP 1 year, 8 months ago

@leftfield- According to what I have been told, the answer is Hawaii; I have no reason to believe any differently.

@needle- I don't lose any sleep an night thinking of ways to please you. If you don't like me, that's fine; then quit reading my posts ;)

Poundman 1 year, 8 months ago

@Goldendreams LOL sorry, I get ya now.

No I don't know him personally but the article seems pretty clear. I have an acquaintance that is a teacher and plan on asking about him though, will let you know what I find out.

teufelhunden 1 year, 8 months ago

recondo-well said.

lindy888 1 year, 8 months ago

The American Way was established with belief in God....and if you didn't believe that was ok...you didn't push your non belief on others. the American Way is having a state birth certificate...or papers proving you are an American Citizen.. the american way is waving to people as they go by.....standing and putting your right hand over your heart to salute our Flag. The American way is believing immagrants should be accounted for and pledge to our flag and country.... What happened to the American way ....I'm afraid its locked in the souls of our GREATEST GENERATION.....who failed to make sure it was passed on to our generation....which I must say....don't know what the Bible is.... Our religion has held this country together....You are seeing now what over educated people who do not interpet the laws of the land as meant by our forefathers....but..as they want it to be.not for the whole...but the indivual......

For heavens sakes God...Please get us back together.....

FaithinUSA 1 year, 8 months ago

Dont you all remember Superman "Truth Justice and the American Way"

leftfield 1 year, 8 months ago

lindy888, You and RmeMP should hook up. You two could go hunting and talk about the good old days when women and minorities couldn't vote. I bet it would be a real hoot..

GoldenDreams 1 year, 8 months ago

Poundman, many thanks! The article really caught my attention and I'm wondering more about Mr. Ericson and how he handles his classes. Sometimes teachers don't have as much latitude in a high school setting as they would like to have. My daughter is entering Pinecrest in the fall and I sure would love for her to have him. He'd get the critical thinking going one way or the other, don't you think? =)

dogboy 1 year, 8 months ago

...Chuckie, expand your thoughts on the " hidden agenda".

teufelhunden 1 year, 8 months ago

I think we are all aware that Barry wants to fundamentally change America to suit his agenda. I think it's partially hidden and partially brazen.

blessherheart 1 year, 8 months ago

Quite frankly America has been changing for the past 500 years. It is still a work in progess.

lindy888 1 year, 8 months ago

leftfield....what a wierd comment...I certainly don't have those type beliefs. But...I do believe we are a nation under God. what do you believe in????

RmeMP 1 year, 8 months ago

@lindy- Don't mind leftfield, she is weird with just about every post she writes; as you can tell she not only leans left, she fell over the railing a looong time ago ;)

dogboy 1 year, 8 months ago

...well Chuckie, I wasn't being a smartass. I am interested in what other people think what the future holds for this country. I may not agree with you but It is important to hear all sides of an issue.

Ross 1 year, 8 months ago

RmeMP - I read about 20% of each of your posts and then simply go to the next one. You are closed minded and simply a pompous individual that will never consider another viewpoint.

RmeMP 1 year, 8 months ago

@ross-

As usual, you along with many of your liberal friends are wrong again. I am not close minded, nor pompous, and I DO consider (and respect) other people's viewpoints - I just don't agree with 95% of liberal thinking.

I guess you have no problem when idiots like Drazil refer to the military as "the biggest welfare program the country has" huh? No, instead you claim that I am pompous because I don't drink your coolaid, and because I don't want to see the country I love "changed"; we have our problems, but we are still the BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!

But, just to prove my point, you have stated your opinion - and you are free to do so; I have CONSIDERED your viewpoint, and now I am simply laughing it off ;)

leftfield 1 year, 8 months ago

RmeMp wants his country back.

We want it forward.

RmeMP 1 year, 8 months ago

@ed- There is no need to be divisive. I don't have to be, nor am I, always correct; I have my point of view, and others have their point of view. There will never be a day where everyone agrees on everything, not with issues like abortion, capitol punishment, gay marriage, war, etc... I have absolutely NO PROBLEM discussing issues with other people and their personal points of views - I don't have to agree with them, but there will never be a "middle ground" of some issues unfortunitly. I don't post here with the intentions of "peeing in anyone's cereal", and I am not trying to tell people that their view is wrong, ok sometimes they just are;) In the end this is a place to show your PERSONAL opinion about news happening in and around the Sandhills - that's it.