Step 1 was our identity crisis. From the beginning through the Civil War we sought to clarify our system of government, leaving the Articles of Confederation and moving onto the more centralized Constitution. We ended our bout with slavery and secured rights. We secured the hemisphere from European expansion and the threat it posed.
Step 2 was the First Corruption. From Grant to Hoover we gathered together into government a collection of the new corporate manipulaors.
Step 3 was the beginning of the American Empire. Whether it was our unique style of economic colonialism or (especially) the Wilsonian attempt to influence on other national identities, or today’s neoconservative treatment of democracy as a commodity to be exported, our disintegration is now quite serious.
Empire is empire. The Caesar ignored the Senate. The Pelosi dismisses the Constitution. The Frank admittedly does not question jurisdiction. (We will only briefly mention his relationship with illegal substances and homosexual prostitution.) The Obama inserts admitted communists into governmentand promotes limitation on media that criticize him (specifically Fox News and by implication, Clear Channel Communications via the media diversity, media justice movement).
Can the U.S. survive itself? Some days I wonder. While I think the classic liberal position holds great hope for the world, today’s Marxists leave no hope for a free society to survive.
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
