Men of Action

Yesterday, in the context of a discussion about Sonia Sotomayor, I suggested that any victory that might be won resisting the current political disaster would be temporary and shallow. Ms. Sotomayor, like President Obama, is only a symptom of deeper illnesses in our country. Our political system is one of representative government, so the government that we have is the government that suits us.

It does no good to say that President Obama does not represent you. Neither does he represent me. But he is representative enough of America’s current values and ideals – the national Zeitgeist – that it should be clear that dealing with the Sotomayor problem will not really be fixing the problem. Nor, even, will dealing with the Obama problem. This will be like trying to eliminate the rotting crab apples in your yard by removing all of the emerging fruit from the tree. With heroic effort, you will for a time be successful. But the apple tree will still be there, mocking you, waiting for you to wear out or lose focus.

Commentator Charles Krauthammer says that American politics “are played out in relative moderation, between the 40-yard lines”. The idea is that, as Americans, we only make slight adjustments in our political system – even if major changes are in order. So don’t expect to accomplish any serious change in this nation through politics.

Instead, consider this: If America’s government is representative of our national values, then a more lasting and effective change can only be had by changing our culture. It is no secret to anyone familiar with American history and culture that a major shift took place beginning forty years ago – one which has essentially rewritten the script for the “American dream”. What began as “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” has devolved into “Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll”“.

(I am reminded of a quote from Andrew Fletcher: “If a man were permitted to make all the ballads he need not care who should make the laws of a nation.” Law follows culture, not the other way ’round.)

What is called for, then, is for good men to turn their attention less on politics and more on renewing the culture. Looking at the current disaster, we can see some ideas which clearly need to be discarded. But we must focus more on building a lasting cultural foundation for a sound future. Dig this diseased tree up from the roots and plant a new, healthy one.

Here are some simple principles that any man can put into practice:

Stand Up

In order to affect positive change in society, you must take it as your particular obligation to do it yourself. This will likely mean that you will be called to rise up above your current abilities, and to develop a higher degree of character than you presently have. Be resolved to meet these expectations.

Step Aside

Disconnect yourself from the culture of the present day, and anything that has its roots in the national disaster which began over forty years ago. It is almost completely corrupt, so don’t waste your time digging through it looking for something worthwhile. Throw away your Guitar Hero and your Star Trek and your American Idol. You’re better off sitting in a darkened, silent room than filling your head with mindless, corrupting drivel. (Who says only Liberals can be radical?)

Speak Out

Know what you stand for, and stand for it. Don’t sit in the car muttering, get out and say something. “The only thing that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” This will certainly get you in trouble. Get used to it.

Partner Up

Most Americans are single-celled creatures. We have a peculiar reverence for the Lone Wolf, the solo gunslinger who comes in and cleans up the town singlehanded. This notion is rubbish. Good men must join together in brotherhood. “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.”

Move Ahead

The aim is not to recover the past, but to forge the future. Many societies of history have good ideas and examples that it would be foolish to ignore. But history only moves in one direction, and so must we.

These five principles can serve as the basic pillars upon which every man can found his plan of action – action to rebuild this fallen nation, from the ground up.

A Real Man

This showed up in my Spam box today:

You, too, can be a Real Man

 
Guess what they’re trying to sell me?