The American Spectator : In Search of Americanism

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In Search of Americanism

By Ned Ryun from the May 2012 issue

Republicanism has proved insufficient as a guidepost for American values.

Time and again the progressive Left succeeds in forcing people to play by its rules. We see it in the halls of Congress, in statehouses, and even in school boards, as principled politicians run and hide to escape being labeled with one of the Left’s “ists” or “isms.” By balkanizing the electorate with labels that obscure the basic unifying principles of our Republic, progressives seek to divide and conquer. And they’re winning.

There’s communism, socialism, fascism, authoritarianism, and collectivism, all of which are kissing cousins that originate from a basic belief in the centrality of the state to people’s lives. Under these “isms,” man exists for the state; all of them are therefore antithetical to a country founded on the fundamental belief that government exists for the people. The Left uses other “isms” to drive its agenda through intimidation (like false charges of racism) or misinformation (environmentalism). And then, of course, there’s relativism, secularism, multiculturalism, liberalism, and, yes, Progressivism.

In all the “ism” talk, we lose the most important one, and arguably the only one that really matters: Americanism. For years, academics, philosophers, and political scientists on both ends of the spectrum have argued about how to define Americanism. Progressives believe that Americanism—very loosely understood—is everything we are as a nation. Others on the Left argue that establishing a concrete definition of Americanism is to be jingoistic or insensitive to the larger world.

The American dream has long been seen in the pillars of our communities, like service organizations, business associations, and religious groups, which today are crumbling along with our bridges, dams, and tunnels. At many local Rotary Club luncheons, for instance, a large percentage of active members have long ago retired or closed their businesses. Younger generations either don’t see the value in such institutions or can no longer afford to take time to participate in their good work. This provides openings for progressives and pro-government forces to tighten their grip on our nation’s communities. Apathy spells the end of the America we love, and, quite frankly, crushes the essence of the American spirit.

IT’S TIME TO FIGHT for the survival of Americanism, and to do that we must understand its tenets. Americanism isn’t all things to all people, nor is it jingoistic. You don’t have to live in America to believe in Americanism; anyone on any corner of the earth can believe in the values that have made us the greatest nation the world has ever seen.

Americanism is freedom founded on the power of the individual, and his ability to achieve without undue government interference. It’s the idea that the state exists to serve man, to protect God-given rights, and to allow the greatest amount of political freedom within the bounds of ordered liberty. It’s the idea that people truly own their property and are not merely renting it, and that they are free to use their talents, initiative, and “can do” spirit to make the lives they dream for themselves a reality.

It is indisputable that the Left has long had better grassroots organization and has pursued its damaging statist agenda relentlessly. After all, if you believe government should be all things to all people, then you’re going to encourage its expansion for your own benefit. Americans need to realize that we are up against a group of agitators that have very well-funded—and consequently very large—platforms for driving political debate: the media, Hollywood, public employee unions, and progressive groups backed by Leftist billionaires.

Meanwhile, the decline of the Republican establishment from coast to coast has been a long-coming inevitability, as officials give lip service to supporters, then vote for more spending, more debt, more borrowing, and higher taxes. Discouraged, aging, and dwindling committee members often lack the energy to run vibrant grassroots campaigns at the local level. When Americans who share our conservative values are content to work hard for an election cycle, then pat themselves on the back and leave the fight to the Washington think tanks, GOP establishment, and television talking heads, they have in effect surrendered to the advancing Left. The Left plays smash-mouth football, while the perceived conservative movement plays tiddlywinks on the sidelines, more concerned with form and appearance than substance.

WHAT’S REQUIRED IS a cultural shift among conservatives. Republicanism has proved insufficient as a guidepost for American values, as is patently obvious from the lack of political courage exhibited by supposedly conservative politicians. Many to this day participate in the expansion of government at a level that threatens our future. We must view Republicanism as little more than an institutional or legal vehicle through which to participate in the political process. Our real platform must be Americanism.

All who appreciate Americanism have to celebrate and defend it in their daily lives. America needs everyday citizens to engage continuously on local, state, and national issues. It can be as simple as talking to your children, colleagues, friends, and neighbors around your dining room table about America, its greatness and its challenges, or as easy as joining existing political or civic organizations and being unafraid to let people know where you stand on protecting America.

Then Americans must reengage in the political process by getting involved in their local committees and campaigns. That’s when real people take back control from the establishment forces and the Ruling Class that have blurred the lines between the parties and brought Americanism to the brink of the abyss.

The magnificent story of America is only over if we choose to let it be. If we’re willing to put our hands to the plow and relentlessly pursue Americanism—and truly fight for it—this nation can be renewed and climb to even greater heights of freedom and prosperity in the 21st century.

About the Author

Ned Ryun is the founder and president of American Majority, a political training institution. His “With the Tea Partiers” column run each month in the The American Spectator’s print edition. You can follow him on Twitter @nedryun.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (70) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

jppc| 5.7.12 @ 7:04AM

I tend to think it's too late. Decades of progressivism has entwined itself into just about every aspect of American life.

Plus, decades of non-stop immigration, legal and illegal, especially encouraging 3rd world peoples to settle in our country has left us a country where the people have next to nothing in common. It's all about hyphenated American "communities"

And as the population grows to the goal of half a billion Americans, limited government becomes a distant memory.

Alan Brokks| 5.7.12 @ 7:45AM

It wasn't predictable- it was inevitable: if Rome and the Brits couldn't stay #1 for more than a couple centuries each, then how could we?

JT| 5.7.12 @ 8:27AM

Roman lasted for over 1000 years in varius shapes and sizes, not a couple centuries.

Alan Brooks| 5.7.12 @ 12:21PM

Not as #1.
re-read this: "it was inevitable: if Rome and the Brits couldn't stay #1 for more than a couple centuries each, then how could we?"

JT| 5.7.12 @ 2:45PM

Oh I'm afraid so. You better reread your history friend, Rome was the #1 power far longer than 200 years . When Rome defeated Carthage in the second Punic war in 202BC it WAS #1 and the defeat of Macedonia at Pydna in 168BC left it without any peer as a military and economic power in the Meditterranean. Rome was and is regarded as being the number one regional power at the very least from the late republican era(27BC) to the late imperial era(476AD) that would be over 500 years. During that period Rome had no military or economic peer within its territories on land or sea, it had enemies at its borders but none near strong enough to defeat or threaten the entire Roman empire and its existence. Egypt was a shell under the Ptolomies, The Seleucids were crumbling in the middle east. The Germans to the north were dangerous enemies they fought for over 500 years, and the Parthians and later the Sassinid Persians successfully defeated the Romans and held their territories against further Roman Expansion. During that 500 years there were no Contenders to #1. The eastern half of the Empire lived on for many centuries more. Bad Analogy. Better one would be the Mongols, huge empire, but fairly short lived as history goes.

Dr. X| 5.7.12 @ 7:33AM

This is exactly right. The Left has dominated American society and destroyed "Americanism." The defining characteristic of the Left is its anti-Americanism and anti-patriotism.

The problem is that the Left spent forty years marching, rioting, bombing, indoctrinating, and seizing the levers of power in American life. It now control s ALL the major institutions in our society. It seized these institutions with a quasi-religious zeal and cult-like unity.

Nothing like that exists on the Right. But that is exactly what is necessary to re-capture the Nation. Ruan suggests that conservatives undertake grass-roots efforts, but the Left will use Government to crush these efforts every time. (Try, for instance, getting a grass-roots, nondenominational, student-led prayer at your public school at lunchtime and see what happens). Frankly, I think the country is -- has been -- lost.

Indy| 5.7.12 @ 8:03AM

I refuse to take a defeatist attitude, Americans were asleep but are waking up. There are many involved in grass roots efforts across the country. Become a poll observer, engage in volunteer work and use those opportunities to talk about how lucky we are to be Americans. Every time a natural disaster strikes, neighbors help neighbors. I wish the press would report from Joplin, MO and other cities and tell us how they are doing and informing us of what we can still do to help our fellow citizens.

People are talking about our Founding documents now, look at the books people are reading, I do see an awakening, we face an uphill battle but I will stay engaged, I cannot throw in the towel.

Von Mises Jr| 5.7.12 @ 11:35AM

Unfortunately, some in the GOP seems to have thrown in the towel. Here is an article where the left is touting impacting Christie's Executive Order to make his Agenda21 Executive Order even more destructive: http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0430/1944/
Perhaps states such as MA, NJ and the left coast are lost to socialism. VA, TN and SC are looking very appealing.
I think we should adopt Biden’s plan for Iraq here in the states. Divide the country into three parts. I will join the South and we can let the U.N. have the Northeast and West Coast.

Citizen Jerry| 5.7.12 @ 1:28PM

Those who throw in the towel need to be thrown out of office. Like Indy, I refuse to be the defeatist.

The Founders knew it was "Divine Providence" that gave rise to this great American experiment, and that option is still available. But this is no time for what Thomas Paine called summer soldiers and fair weather patriots.

Ora pro nobis.

Von Mises Jr| 5.7.12 @ 1:33PM

I obviously haven't thrown in the towel. I am throwing mud at the GOP and one of their supposed conservative stars. Christie was for cap and trade and still is implementing ObamaCare.

Indy| 5.7.12 @ 2:45PM

VMJ is certainly with us, engaged daily and well read. How frustrating it is to have to battle with the establishment, Christie may be a fiscal conservative but that's it, he has bought into cap and trade and supports questionable judges, among other things.

Have a good hard look at these charts, share them with others, pictures the media will never share with the public

http://pjmedia.com/spengler/20.....epage=true

I actually have a project in mind that I think regulars here might be interested in, I wish we could have a virtual meeting of some sort. I struggle to keep a job, raise a family, do volunteer work, and still try to find a way the get the word out on what the media and the GOP fail to do. We have talented people here, I bet we could come up with some good action plans, divide and conquer various topics and figure out how to get infomation in the hands of those who can distribute it...will have to think some more on how to accomplish some tasks. I do not like Facebook and other social media outlets, I may have to cave and try twitter but I'm not there yet.

I do thank my virtual friends for the chance to vent and share information.

Al Adab| 5.7.12 @ 3:21PM

Gentlemen:
Long day in court today so I'm late to the conversation. The Republicans have disappointed Conservatives since the beginning of the Conservative Movement. George Romney along with Rockefeller, Scranton Dewy and others opposed the Movement. They will continue to do so even though it is only when the Movement is ascendant that the GOP has enjoyed success as in 1980 and 1994. Nixon and Bush both ran as Conservatives but did not govern as such. Ford, Dole, McCain ran as republicans and led us to defeat. Apparently we are about to follow another such "moderate" republican to similar results.

Indy mentiones Joplin MO and the rebuilding efforts there which are ongoing. They are headed by many charitable and Christian organizations. Does anyone recall that the federal government, through EPA edict, halted the rebuilding process when asbestos was discovered in the ruins of the High School. Most of the aforementioned organizations ignored the rule and continued to rebuild. I suggest there is a lesson there for us all.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 5.7.12 @ 8:15AM

Since the founding of this Republic, many have been convinced that we have failed to do what is necessary to keep it. Some of those deigned to leave to try to get it right in the next try, and in the process expanded the frontier, created the Republic of Texas, etc.

Your assessment may be correct, but it is not necessarily new. What is critically different, though, is that there seems to be very few places left to flee to, which limits the choices somewhat (primarily to submit or stand and fight).

Seek| 5.7.12 @ 11:29AM

The last thing the Right needs is to imitate the worst aspects fo the Left. Maybe you want outright war in the streets, but no sane person does. What's more, there really are liberals who can be reasoned with. Not too many, but some. Immigration restriction would appear to be best area of common ground; quite a few white liberals, who when letting their guard down, oppose the Third World-ization of our country as much as white conservatives do.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 5.7.12 @ 12:27PM

Standing and fighting does not necessarily mean war in the streets. See Indy's comments as but one of many examples.

Ken (Old Texican)| 5.7.12 @ 8:10AM

Indy,
well spoken.

Brain Mc| 5.7.12 @ 8:18AM

This Republic was designed for a citizenry with decency at its core. Hedonism has replaced self-determination and responsibility has been relegated to everybody else "Or I'll sue".

Christ may have overcome the World but evil is having its way with the United States of America. Might be we can stem the tide but it has created a slippery slope that we can never climb from. Some might put their trust in their congressman to fight for them. For me, I will continue to trust in God and do my own fighting.

The tree of liberty no longer produces fruit with any level of savor. Come November I will pray and vote, then go home, lock and load and hope for the best for this once great country.

Brian Mc| 5.7.12 @ 8:20AM

Obviously, I should have had my second cup of coffee before attempting to post this morning.

Susan Benton| 5.7.12 @ 8:57AM

AGREED!!! We need to hear this message more frequently - in every city and village, in every venue, across the country. Only when people have a clear idea of what America stands for will they realize how far away the left, and the GOP have taken us from where we truly should stand on all issues.

Kingofthenet| 5.7.12 @ 9:13AM

The problem with the 'Right' is that they are selling only one side of a two sided coin. Take some of their slogans, "I want you to get a job NOT a Welfare check" sounds good, but does that mean IF i lose my job you won't help me? EVERY poor and middle class kid KNOWS if it isn't for the Govt. he/she isn't going to a good college.EVERY sick person KNOWS you don't want to help them get care. EVERY Senior KNOWS you want to 'change the deal' AFTER they planned for years with a certain set of assumptions. Every union member KNOWS you hate them and want to destroy their contracts and reduce their pay/benefits. How do you WIN with a message like that?

DTOM!| 5.7.12 @ 9:52AM

Actually, you have it backwards, there are people who want to be given things which they do not have to work for. They gather themselves into groups like unions, Occupy Wherever, and call themselves anarchists. The Democrat Party unites their support and uses them to steal elections - Chicago style or more lately Wisconsin style. Remember Soros's Secretary of State program. Ever hear of a Democrat in favor of voter id? No. The only rational reason for disfavoring voter id is the desire and intent to CHEAT. That is who we are up against.

In summer of 08 my wife and I were driving through central Wisconsin, looking for the grave of some historical figure when we came across an individual in a park. He was a volunteer tending the park. He answered our some geographical questions, we enjoyed a little conversation, then politics crept into the conversation. We alluded to the concern of the government's deficit spending. Within two minutes, this nice, middle-aged gentleman explained to us how anyone who could think that way was a racist. And furthermore that all conservatives are racists and they don't even know it. And he continued. I interrupted him to point out that we thought that way and actually are conservative, then asked him 'are we racists?' "Of course!"

So Dingalingofthenet, I say fie on you and your house!

A typical radical ploy - accuse someone of something and condemn them for it, whether it applies to them or not. That's a Bill Ayers's rule.

I say again, "Fie on you!"

Don't Tread On Me...

Kingofthenet| 5.7.12 @ 11:04AM

I don't believe in being Conservative equates to Racist. You might have been/are a 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' kinda guy, who NOW doesn't want/need anything from Govt. But going up HARD against people you claim to want to help isn't going to get any votes.Mitt(or ANY Republican) wants to 'put people to work, while at the same time calling people who are out of work thru no fault of their own, Bums and Leeches.Same with the poor, some are poor because they can only do 'low level' jobs, because either they didn't go to College or quite frankly aren't that smart.Some get sick, what is the Conservative pitch to them? You can DO IT!....but we aren't going to help you!

DTOM!| 5.7.12 @ 1:01PM

Please supply actual quotes for GOP politicians referring to entitlement recipients as your quoted "Bums and Leeches." You can't.

And I do so like your "I don't think being Conservative equates to Racist." Conservatism is worse than Racism, isn't it?

Your words make you highly suspect to me...

Yea, I did pull myself up by my bootstraps - but in the last four years the financial environment has become more difficult than at any time since the 1930's. I don't want money or help from the government - I want the GD government to get the hell out of the way.

Get out of the housing market!

Get out of the healthcare market!

Get out of the automobile industry!

Leave the energy industry alone!

Leave the investment community alone - the GD federal government is just distorting and tilting the playing field to favor their buddies on Wall Street!

The only industries they have not gone after are food, alcohol, and entertainment - can you say "Bread and circuses!!!"

Petronius| 5.7.12 @ 1:18PM

Nobody is obliged to subsidize your character deficiencies in any way. You can vote for liberals to plunder our earnings. But nothing you do can make us like it!

Calvin| 5.7.12 @ 10:53AM

You're selling Detroit pal. Lots of promises that you won't be able to pay for. In the end you will be vainly searching for someone to bail you out and you might notice that every level of government is in bad shape and the private sector money you lust over isn't enough. You are at the heart of the problem. Until you give in and look at the numbers you will continue to give emotional responses that children frequently relate to.

POST American| 5.7.12 @ 9:27AM

---Great piece!

BTW

CHECK OUT Rockefeller front CNP
member and 'CON ---CON' op
-------Pat 'BEE---YOU---CANNON's'
latest Hoover interview.

He's being interviewed about his
new book 'Suicide of a Super Power'.

ALAS!

STILL no sign of consciousness, much
less repentance, regarding his involvement
with the ever unfolding, CFR 'Nick's ON'--MAO
handover and takedown op.

Even worse, he calls for all but abandoning
South Korea, and, we should expect, Taiwan,
Japan and Asia generally.

-----And also NOTHING about NDAA 1021

----------NOTHING about 'PAN--NETTA'
PELOSI and GINZBURG's open gestures
and statements of TREASON

-----------------NOTHING whatever on the
soon to be 'hard-powered' plan for world
CON--solidation and DEMOCIDE
in the Bush Sr supported, UN 'Agenda 21'
(SEE 'RIO + 20').

(WE might also add 'authorized' UN 'foe'
John Bolton is a 'calm-plete' NO SHOW
in this)

Further he ,AGAIN, acts the apologist
and academic's predicitive programmer
for the capstone op of setting up of
the ever unrepentant RED Chinese
regime as 'Model for the World'
-------------------AND 'World Enforcer'.

NOT A PEEP!

FINALLY, in discussing the death of the
West ----he makes NO mention whatsoever
of the DE-----SIGNS of the Globalists to
use ----ISLAM---- for BOTH takedown
and eventual rollout of the EUGENICS
NWO ----and again, those ---deeper agendas.

And then there were all the obliging to
sycophant bastings by the interviewer.

--------In short, in this, the 11th hour
------------------altogether ---TOO 'PAT'.

FINALLY, in discussing 'whither America'
--everyone but everyone should be getting
the KEY background from Carroll Quigley's
books.

EVEN BETTER is the superb research left to
us by Anthony Sutton.

His NOW AVAILABLE 1982 interviews
are available on youtube videos. SEE
for yourself.

---------------------------------ESSENTIAL!

----------HUAC is NOW ---NUREMBERG 2012!

Gary B| 5.7.12 @ 9:33AM

Mr. Ryun said, "WHAT'S REQUIRED IS a cultural shift among conservatives. "

With all due respect, that's too much to ask of frightened, weary, formerly middle class taxpayers. Evangelizing at the gas pump is a talent 99% of us don't have. That's like asking people to become recruiting experts for Amway. What's needed is an actual choice at the ballot box.

If Romney defeats Obama, conservatives should immediately form a third party and start campaigning against the Republican establishment at all levels. Because, for conservaties, the Republican elites are the enemy.

This relentless lesser of evils game has permanently relegated conservitives to a minor players in a coalition Republican Party. This hasn't worked. It has to stop.

Romney's business-as-usual RINO policies will set the stage for this. Establishment mouth pieces will howl against it - it's their greatest fear - but conservatives know it's the only way.

Goal #1: Get rid of Obama. Goal # 2: Send the Republican establishment out to pasture. A clear choice at the ballot box is the only way to accomplish this. A continuing lesser of evils means an accelerating death for our beloved America and everyone knows it.

POST American| 5.7.12 @ 9:40AM

---OH and ALSO re: Buchanan's interview!

In discussing defense and security matters
he also makes no reference, and is certainly
NOT questioned about
--------MASSIVE handover of US military tech
to RED China
-----------the handover of teh Panama Canal
to RED China
---------------the handover of ports, even
INLAND ports, from Long Beach to Seattle
to RED China
-------------------the opening of the 'first
of several' RED Chinese 'sovereignty zones'
south of BOISE
------------------------the reported construction
of MASSIVE tunnel projects connecting
BOTH Alaska and Pigeon Lake B.C.
with Asia
----------------------------the day's ago handover
of GM assembly to RED China, underwritten
by the US taxpayer.

MAYBE Buchanan should alter the
name of his book from 'Suicide of a Superpower'
------------BUT! ----rather
-------------------'ASSISTED Suicide'.

MAY -----BEEEEEE he should do it FAST!

Dmitry Aleksandrovich| 5.7.12 @ 11:02AM

The Republican Party of today doesn't stand for anything that resembles republicanism or what you describe as Americanism. It is the party of Global Free Trade and Corporate Titans. The only Republicans of today that I could truly equate with standing for American values and Constitutional Republicanism are Representative Ron Paul and his Senator son Rand Paul. That's about it.

I agree Americans need to re-engage the political process and in the past and even today Americans are renouned for their ability to organize civic organizations made up completely of average citizenry for one cause or another or several causes. Ironically it will be rabid individualism that could very well be the death knell to Americanism.

Petronius| 5.7.12 @ 11:16AM

Republicans don't care about culture. They care about money; their money. Money buys them dispensation from liberal oppression. And they aid the Left to stop Conservatives from accumulating enough to afford the social autonomy they enjoy as they attempt to get into the lefty cliques and do what they do best. That's why Republicans Suck!

Bruce Heiden| 5.7.12 @ 12:22PM

A nuance: instead of defining Americanism as freedom based on the power of the *individual*, it would be better to say the power of the *person* or of the *citizen*. "Individual" designates only a way of counting, not what is being counted. If a human being is only a sort of consumer, like a squirrel, then the power of the individual may only be the power to have his or her biological needs met--which is what the liberal state believes it exists to do. Where conservatism really differs is in its traditional implication of a more robust idea of a human person, a being with a soul who needs and uses freedom for an infinitude of purposes beyond consumption.

fundamentalist| 5.7.12 @ 1:38PM

Hayek wrote in "Why I am not a Conservative" that conservatives always want to compromise with the left. But the left never compromises. After decades of compromise we have become a socialist nation.

It's time to quit compromising! A vote for Romney is a vote for further compromise with socialists.

kwan| 5.7.12 @ 1:54PM

And a vote for Obama is? Think! Think harder! That's right a vote for Marxism. The 2012 election is all about choosing the lesser of two evils. 2016 is the year for trying to get the true-conservative elected President should Romney go-RINO on us.

Clint| 5.7.12 @ 2:29PM

Once Again, The GOP Flunkie Stooges Attempt To Sucker Conservatives With The Arlen Specter-John McCain " Lesser Evil" Democrat Lite Mittens Romney Crap Sandwich.

Alej| 5.7.12 @ 6:02PM

Already sent in your absentee Obama vote, son ?

Clint| 5.8.12 @ 12:15AM

I Never Have Voted For A Democrap, RINO-CINO Mittens' Kitten, Flunkie Stooge, Alej.

We Are Being Set Up By The RINO-CINO Agendists Israel FirsterFor The Ruling Elites' Frontman Mittens Romney.

These Are The RINO-CINO Agendists, Who Gave Us The Serial Traitor To Conservatism, John McCain Of McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy,McCain-Lieberman,Gang Of 14, Opposing Bush Tax Cuts Of 2001 & 2003,TARP.

Now They Are Trying To Give Us RomneyCare,TARP, Cynical Flip-Flops On Abortion, Gays, Refuses to Sign Pro-Life Pledge, Illegal Immigrants, "Little Chain Saw Al" At Bain, Crony Capitalism Campaign Money Trail.....

kwan| 5.7.12 @ 6:13PM

Once again you're right Clint. Let's run Paul so Obama will be given an easy win. Why didn't I see this brilliant idea. Here's a NewsFlash moron Romney IS the candidate. You can vote for the candidate from The Maoist Workers Party if Romney doesn't meet your high standards no one really cares.

Clint| 5.8.12 @ 12:18AM

" CBS Poll: Independents Prefer Ron Paul Vs Obama

In a head to head match up with incumbent President Barack Obama, the indie voter chooses Ron Paul, a CBS News poll suggested on Monday.

A total of 47% of independent voters said they would choose Ron Paul compared to 45% of independent voters choosing Mitt Romney against Obama, and 41% of independents saying they would choose Rick Santorum. If a Paul-Obama showdown were ever to take place, 47% of independent voters would vote for Paul, 81% republicans and 10% Democrats for a total of 45% of the vote. Obama would get just 40% of the independent vote in that contest, with 85% of the Democrats choosing Obama and 9% of Republicans choosing the President on election day in November. Obama would win the general election by a narrow one point margin if the election was held today between the two."

Alej| 5.7.12 @ 6:04PM

Frustrating, isn't it Kwan... these people don't think past their pug noses.

kwan| 5.7.12 @ 6:21PM

Alej this guy is an Obama stooge. He claims he wants the most conservative candidate (Paul) all the time knowing that Obama will easily beat him.

Clint| 5.8.12 @ 12:22AM

RealClearPolitics : Average 4/19 - 5/6 --

Obama: 46.1 Percent

Romney: 45.1 percent

Obama : +1.0

" CBS Poll: Independents Prefer Ron Paul Vs Obama

In a head to head match up with incumbent President Barack Obama, the indie voter chooses Ron Paul, a CBS News poll suggested on Monday.

Kingofthenet| 5.7.12 @ 2:53PM

You think 'Obamacare' wasn't a compromise? I KNOW the President wanted single payer, wasn't going to happen thou.

nathan| 5.7.12 @ 1:42PM

How many of you conservatives opposed the blatantly unconstitutional and misnamed "Patriot Act"? How many of you wrote your congressmen to oppose the Fifth Amendment destroying language in the NDAA? I'm betting not many.

The degree to which we are prepared to have our freedoms taken from us depend on why they are being taken. Invoke "national security" and even the most die hard conservative will fall in line like the House did with regards to the NDAA. Note the Wall Street Journal's comment regarding the NDAA. They equate being opposed to the offensive language in the bill as the same to be a Nazi sympathizer.

For those who dare suggest that launching missiles at Americans in Yemen, Americans that, brought into an American court room would not be tried much less convicted of any capital offense, defending their rights does not go over well on this site. Nor does defending the rights of people like Padilla an American on American soil who got a taste of the the NDAA language looks like when he was held without being charged for nearly two years in conditions that probably violated his Eighth Amendment rights.

So who has "rights" for some of you here, depends solely on who you are and what you supposedly are "guilty" of.

We need to be reminded again what Tom Paine wrote that to secure our own rights we have to defend the rights of those that we . . . are madly in love with? No that's not what he wrote. That we hate.

The Bill of Rights was all about protecting us from the excesses of an out of control government, regardless of the good intentions of that government. War is not excuse for throwing those rights under the bus. Nor for that matter domestically is an accusation of a ghastly crime. The goverment in every instance still has to play by the rules. And you better insist they do. Because if not, if you support the Patriot Act, if you support the NDAA, if you don't force local police to play by the Bill of Rights, then some day you can find YOURSELF the victim of "good intention" excess. And if you haven't insisted on everyone playing by the rules and now you are being detained indefinitely under NDAA, you will have no one to blame but yourself. If you all are going to play Martin Neimoller here, time is running out.

Dmitry Aleksandrovich| 5.7.12 @ 4:47PM

True conservatives like Pat Buchanan and Ron Paul opposed the Patriot Act.

Tex Expatriate| 5.7.12 @ 3:10PM

I don't think in terms of Americanism. I think in terms of genuine Americans and counterfeit Americans. The counterfeits may be born in the U.S., but they are those such as Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, Elena Kegan---because they do not endorse American ideals or American ideas. They NEVER uphold the U.S. Constitution, and they steadfastly hate America.

I also distinguish between those states which exhibit anti- or counterfeit-American ideas, states such as Washington, Oregon, California, and Massachusetts and the entire northeastern tier of states.

I'd be overjoyed to see half the states leave the so-called union and establish a Confederation of American States or Federation of American States, each adhering to a slightly revised U.S. Constitution that (for example only) eliminated Amendments XVI, XVII (election of Senators), XVIII and XXI and XXVI. I'd add amendments to restrict voting to persons who were age thirty and over, self-employed or gainfully employed, and who could pass a genuine history and civics test.

Alej| 5.7.12 @ 6:18PM

XXI ? ? I pretty much agree with you but for that... no more Bud Light ? (it sounds like it parrots the Eighteenth in the second section!)

As far as a new conservative Confederacy hallmarked by strict voter qualifications ( age 30 is a good idea... I didn't know horse apples from Shinola when I was 18) and greatly reduced "entitlement" spending is concerned, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma would make a fine nucleus. Control of the Mississippi River and 2/3 of the nation's oil & gas would go a long way toward attracting the good people in from elsewhere, and driving out the parasites to live in the "counterfeit" states.

Bill| 5.7.12 @ 3:14PM

Americanism: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

cicero| 5.7.12 @ 4:50PM

Ned, The article is good. However, where were you in 2010? The Americanism Movement (affectionately known as the Teaparty) ran on the Republican ticket, and successfully took control of the House of Representatives. In addition, they scared the hell out of the establishment Repubs. This time around, I look for them to take the Senate, with the help of the awakened Republican Party. They should take the White House, too. It only remains to be seen whether their organization in community after community will hold together, and put candidates in place on the ballots. They were espousing just that Americanism that you write about. If I am right, there will be a sea change politically, and we will be witnessing the last hurrah of the big government left.

A European| 5.7.12 @ 5:22PM

Further, Americanism has been polluted by other “isms,” and by ideas brought from European nations that don’t seek to empower individuals, as we do. Everything from the welfare state to secular relativism has infiltrated America with help from progressives who stopped believing in the supremacy of Americanism. We feel the sting of their faithlessness every day as we watch our economy weaken, our government expand, our businesses struggle, our taxes shoot higher, and our cultural values become unrecognizable.
The American dream has long been seen in the pillars of our communities, like service organizations, business associations, and religious groups, which today are crumbling along with our bridges, dams, and tunnels. At many local Rotary Club luncheons, for instance, a large percentage of active members have long ago retired or closed their businesses. Younger generations either don’t see the value in such institutions or can no longer afford to take time to participate in their good work. This provides openings for progressives and pro-government forces to tighten their grip on our nation’s communities. Apathy spells the end of the America we love, and, quite frankly, crushes the essence of the American spirit.
IT'S TIME TO FIGHT for the survival of Americanism, and to do that we must understand its tenets. Americanism isn’t all things to all people, nor is it jingoistic. You don’t have to live in America to believe in Americanism; anyone on any corner of the earth can believe in the values that have made us the greatest nation the world has ever seen.
Americanism is freedom founded on the power of the individual, and his ability to achieve without undue government interference. It’s the idea that the state exists to serve man, to protect God-given rights, and to allow the greatest amount of political freedom within the bounds of ordered liberty. It’s the idea that people truly own their property and are not merely renting it, and that they are free to use their talents, initiative, and “can do” spirit to make the lives they dream for themselves a reality.
It is indisputable that the Left has long had better grassroots organization and has pursued its damaging statist agenda relentlessly. After all, if you believe government should be all things to all people, then you’re going to encourage its expansion for your own benefit. Americans need to realize that we are up against a group of agitators that have very well-funded—and consequently very large—platforms for driving political debate: the media, Hollywood, public employee unions, and progressive groups backed by Leftist billionaires.
Meanwhile, the decline of the Republican establishment from coast to coast has been a long-coming inevitability, as officials give lip service to supporters, then vote for more spending, more debt, more borrowing, and higher taxes. Discouraged, aging, and dwindling committee members often lack the energy to run vibrant grassroots campaigns at the local level. When Americans who share our conservative values are content to work hard for an election cycle, then pat themselves on the back and leave the fight to the Washington think tanks, GOP establishment, and television talking heads, they have in effect surrendered to the advancing Left. The Left plays smash-mouth football, while the perceived conservative movement plays tiddlywinks on the sidelines, more concerned with form and appearance than substance.
WHAT'S REQUIRED IS a cultural shift among conservatives. Republicanism has proved insufficient as a guidepost for American values, as is patently obvious from the lack of political courage exhibited by supposedly conservative politicians. Many to this day participate in the expansion of government at a level that threatens our future. We must view Republicanism as little more than an institutional or legal vehicle through which to participate in the political process. Our real platform must be Americanism.
All who appreciate Americanism have to celebrate and defend it in their daily lives. America needs everyday citizens to engage continuously on local, state, and national issues. It can be as simple as talking to your children, colleagues, friends, and neighbors around your dining room table about America, its greatness and its challenges, or as easy as joining existing political or civic organizations and being unafraid to let people know where you stand on protecting America.
Then Americans must reengage in the political process by getting involved in their local committees and campaigns. That’s when real people take back control from the establishment forces and the Ruling Class that have blurred the lines between the parties and brought Americanism to the brink of the abyss.
The magnificent story of America is only over if we choose to let it be. If we’re willing to put our hands to the plow and relentlessly pursue Americanism—and truly fight for it—this nation can be renewed and climb to even greater heights of freedom and prosperity in the 21st century.

Mr. Ryun states that he does not like left-wing labels, the 'ists' and 'isms' of modern political language. In his eyes, it is 'Balkanisation', a process of divide and conquer.

Of course, that doesn't prevent him from labelling believers of 'progressivism' (one united church, apparently) 'kissing cousins' of communists, socialists, fascists, authoritarians; collectivists; environmentalists; relativists; secularists; multiculturalists; believers in liberalism; statists. In arguing against 'Balkanisation', Mr. Ryan commits a diametrically opposite error: oversimplification (or should that be Soviet Unionisation?). Not all of the left wing are even statists (e.g. anarchists), let alone liberals or totalitarians.

In struggling to escape 'Balkanisation' through political labels, Mr. Ryun suggests a political label: “Americanism”. This is apparently the idea that America embodies his particular beliefs: individualism, a strictly limited state, the protection of 'God-given rights'. Americanism isn't all things to all men, but a thoroughly conservative idea.

It is a concept that is at best unrealistic, ignoring millions of Americans who perceive America differently and want something else from their country. At worst, it is incredibly bigoted, challenging the 'American-ness' of those who disagree with him.

Perhaps we should be asking Mr. Ryun whether Americanism really means the enforced projection of a single idea, or the free exploration of several.

ansonheath| 5.7.12 @ 8:10PM

Just one question: Who founded the American experiment? It wasn't the men who wrote the Declaration and the US Constitution; about 150 years before that and continuing into the mid 1700's, the 13 colonies formed the American idea into a union. It was the Christian movement which formed western culture in general and the American exceptionalism in particular. When the Christian church regains its moorings the American culture will return.

alisabet| 5.8.12 @ 5:49PM

oh great. a case for church and state. I have a question for you? How many wars have been committed in the name of religion?

M. De Young| 5.8.12 @ 7:21PM

Plenty, but do bear in mind that the early 20th century secular ideologies caused greater mass murder than all the religious wars combined. The religion of statism has waged more deadly wars, caused more human suffering, and left nothing but devastation in their wake.

ATB| 5.7.12 @ 9:20PM

However one defines Americanism, the battle cannot be won by the current continuous stream of disparagement directed towards those ordinary folks who for whatever reason belong to a union, believe in their daughter's right to an abortion, distrust the intentions of the financial industry, believe assault weapons should be banned, or otherwise don't fit the mold of a CPAC attendee. This is their right, and our right to try to persuade them that there is a better way. But to brand neighbors and relatives who disagree with us as "statists" or communists involved in a plot to destroy our idea of America is incredibly counter productive. And to outsiders, makes us sound like deranged conspiracy theorists. Sticking to a positive and optimistic message is much more effective in the long run - and much more American as well.

Kingofthenet| 5.7.12 @ 11:21PM

Absolutely! And they honestly believe that is a #WINNING strategy? Maybe to the 1%, I don't care, I don't pay enough taxes for it to matter, I doubt I ever will. If a Conservative were to be able to wave a wand and cut my taxes in half,but NO benefits, or a Liberal were to do the same at TWICE what i am paying now, but I have cradle to grave benefits? I would take the Govt. Bennies in a heartbeat, and I am not even sure I would use/need them!

POST American| 5.7.12 @ 11:28PM

"What are called 'downfalls' of
civilizations are actually just the
dismantling of business operations
to move elsewhere. The ELITES,
the REAL ELITES, are NEVER
caught. ---NEVER. They're on the move to
the next CON ---years before the
public ever even gets wind something's wrong.
---Been that way since Babylon and
Pheonicia and probably
---LONG ---LONG before."
-Informed Radio

Hence, in this, the 11th hour of the
CFR---RED China handover and takedown
op. ---the 'sicko-phants' turn 'psycho-phants'
and dispense the sophistries of 'downfall'
to the clueless herd left behind."

Pat Buchanan, and so many others KNOW
damn well the plan.

They KNOW the part they've played
in the CFR Rockefeller ---RED China
handover.

THEY KNOW.

STILL, we must say, DENIAL really
does do a job on the body of these sorts.

"---It's not that they're old ---but HOW
they got old. You can judge a man by his withers."
-D H Lawrence
essays

AMEN

ounceoflogic| 5.8.12 @ 9:27AM

Mr Ryun you have it absolutely right. But I don't think that the Left's "PC" and other forms of intimidation stop at the Washington beltway. All of us - as individuals - are subject to the exact same treatment that the Left uses to silence Republican politicians. I don't know of a single Progressive who has been swayed to the right by talk. Our efforts would be better spent forcing - FORCING - those people that we elect to do the job that we elected them to do.

HTuttle| 5.8.12 @ 10:13AM

True, but they are far closer to it than the Left Democrats.

Brad Froman | 5.8.12 @ 10:18AM

Excellent article and a position I've long held about the need for The People of the U.S. to engage in and learn about our country and its founding. The U.S. was an experiment that needs constant support, nurturing and vigilance. The more we learn, the better our future.

Nixonfan| 5.8.12 @ 10:58AM

Americanism cannot be understood outside of the context of the anglo-saxon heritage (philosophical, not racial), which is unique and which is why our relations with our fellow anglophones will always be qualitatively different than our relations with "foreigners". Lee Kwan Yew is a good example of a world leader who understands this implicitly. Obama is a good example of someone who understands it and rejects it.

Jim Beer| 5.8.12 @ 11:34AM

Have you read the new book by Dennis Prager, "Still the Best Hope: Whay the World Needs American Values to Triumph?" You and he have essentially the same excellent argument.

David Naas| 5.8.12 @ 4:51PM

Why I am registered Independent -- Madison warned against partizan politics, because the spirit of Party too often trumps the love of Country. Nor can we confuse "Conservative" with "Right" -- not all the enemies of our enemies are our friends.

alisabet| 5.8.12 @ 5:54PM

America is only one country. In a world full of many. This imperialistic spirit of spreading "americanism" across the world is very provincially minded and counter to the very tenets that founded this country. If America is so great, then why are we behind other countries in terms of treating women equally, eradicating racism, and acknowledging and accepting that we are one nation alongside other nations?

Wilma Post| 5.8.12 @ 9:41PM

What do you think the Tea Party is all about? It is the truly grass roots movement required when the Republican establishment filed to repressent either conservative or American values.

WM| 5.8.12 @ 10:13PM

"Americanism" is not a fundamental concept. It is derivative. That makes it a lousy organizing principle, and it subjects it to hijacking by elements on the right who are closet statists. These people are more than eager to use the concept to smuggle in other statist concepts, like mandatory national service, charity funding by the government, nation-building of other nations with concomitant Keynesian foreign aid and support of Islamist "democracies," and the protection of entitlement programs that benefit stable social classes.

America is great because it was founded on the ideal of individualism, and capitalism is its application. Let's keep it that way, and when you explain to others why America is great, say that.

PitBull| 5.9.12 @ 12:32PM

A marvelous essay indeed! Your sentiments and words inspired, motivated and swayed millions of immigrants to leave 'the old country' and sacrifice much in order to achieve a better life. But --- always a but --- we're fighting a different brand of bad behavior these days. I've said it before, I'll say it again: Most Americans are content to marinate in the delusions of their comfort zones. Fat government pensions (paid by the middle-class taxpayers who've lost their corporate jobs); an insipid and corrupt financial and political alliance (crony capitalism) that rivals the legendary Tammany Hall pols; an entertainment and celebrity culture that mocks and subverts ideals and values and a virulent academic system that does the same. Our quest for Americanism among all of the above requires virtue, efforts, individuals and nations equipped to take on herculean tasks. No takers. Happily marinating, thank you, is the best I can see.

bloopville| 5.10.12 @ 11:39AM

This article is guilty of creating an enemy in order to foster solidarity among like thinking people. There is no definition of Americanism.
The Founding Fathers were roughly divided into two groups, Federalists and anti- Federalists. As usual, most of the comments seem to be from people who think that anti-Federalists won the constitutional debate. But they didn't. Federalists did. So, for two hundred years, Americanism could be defined to be exactly the opposite of what Populist Conservatives believe it is.
While it is true that Rights derive from the consent of the governed (not from god. That was the precept of the Declaration of Independence, but if you read the minutes of the Constitutional Convention, you will know that the omission of that in the Constitution is purposeful), many of Founding Fathers feared the tyranny of the People, as well as tyranny of the government. This is why the Supremacy Clause was such a divisive issue, as was Federal taxing ability, a standing Army and many other things. But what most Populist Conservatives don't know, or have forgotten, the Federalists won these debates.
Madison, especially, feared the tyranny of the majority. The view of the Federalist Founding Fathers was the three branches of government provided checks and balances for each other, but also for the will of the People, and the People provided a check against overarching government intrusion.
They were influenced by their reading of Greek Democracy and the Ostracism process.
That being said, it is also the duty of the people to rise up and vote out the formal branches of government when they acquire too much power. It was predicted by the Founding Fathers that any government would accumulate power, and the People would check that growth. So the rise of Populist Conservatism is a good thing when it limits government's natural inclination to intrude into people's lives. It is a bad thing, though, when it creates a definitional litmus test of what it means to be an American, because, by current Populist Conservative definition, many Founding Fathers would fail.
Any group that tries to enforce in "innie" definition of Americanism is bound for ridicule and marginilization.

The Un-Republican| 5.11.12 @ 9:18PM

Ned
I'd like to suggest the failure of America lies in a long forgotten failure of the Republican party which abandoned its 100 year plus economic platform of protectionism in the 1960s. In other words, by adopting free trade (the historical position of Democrats) the Republican party became an economic mirror image of Democrats. It is a long and complex story leading to a profound new claim found a new blog by the name of rescuingeconomics.wordpress.com. I urge you to take a look. In short, there has never been a sound school of economics, only sound industrial policy in the form of Lincoln's protectionist platform. If Republican's want to restore Americanism and economic order, then they need to restore protectionism, which according to Daniel Webster was the number one reason for the creation of the Constitution (stop the economic chaos unleashed by free trade with Britain under the Articles of Confederation). To fully appreciate the depth of the intellectual confusion amoung Republicans, one only needs to ask how is it that conservatives have adopted Karl Marx's suggestion that the fastest way to destory capitalism was with free trade? Radically flawed economic theory is the answer. It is time to build the intellectual foundation for protectionism and thus a new born Republican party. Protectionism was at the heart of Americanism.

POST American| 5.14.12 @ 12:32AM

---Putting aside those reports of
'children's blood' being found in the fabrics
being shipped in from the Globalist wage
serf borg RED China-----

AS we raise our RED China made 'American'
flags this July 4th

----AS RED China opens and occupies
that 'first of many' 50 square mile
'sovereignty zones' south of Boise

-------AS RUSSIAN TROOPS are in
Colorado, engaged in joint exercises
with Americans --to 'take on American
Terrorists'

------------AS GM packs up for Beijing,
while cancer, organ failure and sterility
'friendly' Gates-Monsanto GM food
saturates our food chain

--------------------AS the PRIVATE, Anti-Constitutional,
USURY and EUGENICS mongering
'FED' cue up for QE3

----RELAX!!!!!

------------------NOTHIN'S GOIN' ON!!!!!

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