Camden
Central
High
School
Camden,
Tennessee
Teacher:
Wanda
Allen
A
Nation
of
Superior
Quality
By
Brittney
Watkins
11th
grade
America is a place that captivates millions. It causes many who are not citizens of our great country to yearn for something more, and many of those millions will ultimately attempt to become citizens. Many of those immigrants risk losing every material thing they have ever worked for in order to start a new life in our proud land. Some even risk their lives. Despite the challenges of arriving here, America still shines like a beacon of hope for all those questing for a better life, which brings forth a question. What is it about America that is so appealing?
Perhaps our most sought after quality is our system of politics. We as Americans, citizens of a democratic society, are given more power within our government than almost any other people in the world. Citizens of America have the ability to elect nearly every political leader around them, from officials on lower levels, such as a mayor, to the highest power in our country, the president. In fact, when our system of government was established, our founding fathers had not only the citizens of their time period in mind, but also the citizens of future America, which leads to another redeeming quality of our wonderful land.
In times of hardship, Americans will stand strong and fight for their beliefs and freedoms. Centuries ago, when the founding fathers first declared independence from Britain, it most certainly wasn’t easy, but despite all the hardships, they stood strong and fought for our freedom by writing the Declaration of Independence. In it, they demanded that all men be treated equally. Because of that…document, our founding fathers earned the freedom that we all enjoy today. Even now our will and determination to protect our rights as humans burns fiercely.
This urge to defend freedom also expands around the world. Many times Americans will feel obligated to stand up for the freedom of other countries as well as their own. Unfortunately, this could possibly be the Achilles’ heel of the United States. In our quest to protect the rights of others, America is oftentimes thrust into situations such as the war in Iraq, that are rather difficult to retreat from. Though we go into these battles with the best intentions, sometimes our plans backfire and we inadvertently offend someone in some way.
Still, when we do collect new enemies, our allies are there to help us, which is another good asset America possesses. Though we do have our enemies, the strength of our allies is a force to be feared. Through every war we’ve entered, we’ve remained dedicated and honor-bound to those who we know as friends, and so we shall remain. It’s just the American code of honor.
Not only is America well-known for dedication to others and freedom in every field, written, spoken, and everything in between, but it is also famous for equality. In our fine country race, religion, and gender are no longer a judge of character or worth, which is a miraculous feat in today’s society. In fact, when comparing the United States to other countries, one will find that America shows much more fairness in the realm of equality. For example, women are treated more like possessions than humans in many other countries. They are not permitted to run for political offices and they are mostly at the mercy of their husband’s decisions. In the United States, on the other hand, women are given just as much power as men. Not only can American women run for office, but they can also own property and disagree with the choices of the males in their lives. There is also a substantial tolerance to religion within the borders of America, whereas many other countries are opposed to their citizens praying to alternate deities.
Finally, America, because of its diversity of cultures, is most likely the most interesting country in the world. In our unique country, one can celebrate the Chinese New Year, the 4th of July, and Christmas (or Hanukah) all in the same year. The United States also caters to your every taste bud with a wide array of restaurants ranging from sushi bars to McDonald’s. Ours is also one of the few countries that are taking a step closer to becoming a bilingual nation by offering instruction booklets, signs, and cable stations en español for the convenience of its people.
Because of its unending flare for freedom and equality and its motley blend of cultures and traditions, America is probably the most sought after country, and because of the dedication our forefathers instilled in us, it will remain so forever.
Answers To Questions Prompted By The Required Reading
Q1- Explain, in your own words, the three developments in our culture that have contributed to the disorder Professor Huntington senses in the USA today.
A1- The first is multiculturalism, which states that all cultures are essentially equal. The second is “transnationalism”, in which world leaders and bureaucrats warp our views of the nation. The third is the “Hispanization of America”, in which immigrants are turning America into a bilingual nation.
Q2- Define and discuss the American creed, the ideology that Professor Huntington cites as one of the historic sources of our national identity.
A2- The American creed is an individual’s rights, as stated by the Declaration of Independence. It symbolizes the rights that all humans should be free to enjoy at all times.
Q3- Explain the difference between culture and creed, according to the Professor.
A3- While creed is based more on our rights as citizens, culture focuses more on religion and language.
Q4- Professor Huntington thinks culture is more important than creed. Do you? Explain.
A4-I
believe
that
though
culture
is
important,
creed
is
more
essential
because
today
nations
are
judged
by
the
rights
their
citizens
hold
rather
than
their
traditions.
Q5- Discuss “founding” as expressed by Aristotle’s Politics.
A5- Aristotle believed that “founding” was politics’ highest theme. It defined a city or a political group y giving it it laws, offices, and distinct character.
Q6-
Complete
the
sentence
attributed
to
Aristotle’s
thinking:
“We
are
just
free
enough
to____________________.”
(Fill
in
the
blank.)
A6-
“…be
able
to
take
responsibility
for
the
things
in
life
we
cannot
choose.”
Q7-
Which
took
precedence
in
the
founding
of
America;
natural
law
and
rights
or
the
British
Constitution?
A7-
Though
both
natural
law
and
the
British
Constitution
both
played
a
large
role
in
our
founding,
natural
rights
ultimately
became
more
important.
Q8- What was the reason for the traditional conservatives’ opposition to the rationalism that fueled the French Revolution?
A8- The conservatives believed that rationalism went in direct opposition to and damaged a society’s political health.
Current Events
Q9-American Intelligence efforts uncovered a group of Taliban leaders attending a funeral. By current military terms of engagement no action could be taken against these “sitting duck” enemies. Why? Is this, in your opinion, a good or bad outcome? Defend your position.
A9- Our current military terms of engagement state that it is cruel to attack those who are in mourning. I believe that it may not be favorable to us, but that taking the honorable approach in the matter will convince the rest of the world to have more respect for America.
Q10- The Geneva Convention requires signatories, (the USA is one of a multitude of signatories) to enact their own laws in keeping with the ban against torture. Currently U.S. law prohibits conduct denigrating the dignity and rights of foreign prisoners that is so narrowly defined as to be codling in the opinion of many Americans. The military acknowledges that this conduct would not be reciprocated by Al Queda and Taliban terrorists.
Does this military code of conduct make you proud to be an American? Why or why not. If not, what should be done to correct the situation?
A10- I believe that the idea of the code is something to be proud of, but that the code should only be recognized with pride if every American followed it.
Q11- Can or should America impose its form of government on other nations?
A11- America should not force its government upon other countries. However, if another country were to adopt our form of government on its own it would be acceptable for America to assist them in setting up its system (though only if that country asks for help).