Repairing and Returning to American Values
America is built on certain values that have been lost in recent years. We have been so caught up in the busyness of our lives that we have overlooked the importance of living with compassion, empathy, and kindness towards ourselves and others. This article will focus on how we can repair our broken culture and rebuild it on a firm foundation of traditional American values. Let this be a tool to foster a greater sense of understanding for one another and embrace our uniquely American differences. We’ll also explore practical steps we can take to bring back the spirit of America that has been so severely damaged over time. We are still a great land. This isn’t about returning to yesteryear but rather to dignity, respect, honor, and the pursuit of happiness.
What are American Values?
There are a number of values that Americans hold dear and which have shaped the country into what it is today. These values include individualism, equality, democracy, freedom, and opportunity. They include religious freedom, the right to bear arms, and the freedom of speech. None of these survive apart from the appreciation for the unique costs Americans have paid to ensure our rights to enjoy them.
Individualism is the belief that each person is unique and should be free to pursue their own goals and dreams. This value has led to a strong sense of independence in America and a willingness to take risks. Individualism allows our God-given personalities and temperaments to be experienced, welcomed, and accepted.
Equality is the belief that everyone should be treated fairly and equally, regardless of race, gender, or background. This value has led to progress in civil rights and social justice. Yes, we have so far to go, but we’ve come far from where we once were. Let us not stop the progress, but let us not advance it beyond our human dignity.
Democracy is the belief that government should be elected by the people and for the people. This value has led to a system of government that is responsive to the needs of its citizens. But our system is broken, and our new world requires a better way.
Freedom is the belief that people should be free to live their lives as they see fit, without interference from others. This value has led to an open and tolerant society of different beliefs and lifestyles. But should we not have some defined understanding of what is decent, honorable, and worthy of striving for?
What Has Caused the Decline of American values?
Many factors have contributed to the decline of American values. Among them are:
The rise of materialism and consumerism: In recent decades, there has been a growing emphasis on material possessions and acquiring wealth. This has led to a decline in concern for others and a focus on “me” instead of “we.” What used to be shared value has become without value as we want more for me without you achieving more. Our competition has far exceeded our cooperation to the degree that we have lost our collaborative genius.
The family breakdown: The traditional family unit has been weakened by non-existent fathers and social media babysitters. What once was a place of refuge and peace is now a battleground of excess. This has contributed to lessened personal responsibility, self-discipline, and moral character.
The loss of faith in God: America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, but there has been a dramatic decrease in Christian faith in recent years. This has led to an increase in secularism and a decline in morality. This isn’t to scold anyone about going to church, but it is a reminder that we all need a reminder of the principles that God founded for us in the 10 Commandments. It should be a wake-up call to be taken back to Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes. At a bare minimum, it should remind us of our statement, “In God We Trust.”
The rise of government: As government grows larger and more powerful, individual freedom and responsibility has declined. This has contributed to the decline of American values such as self-reliance, hard work, imagination, and personal responsibility. Friends, the government cannot repair America. We have proven that the government might actually destroy America. With the political division and excessive spending, we are now in a debt position of more than $34.4 trillion, which is almost $94,000 per American.
Discovering the America We Were Designed to Be
America was founded on the idea of freedom and liberty for all. However, over time, we have strayed from these values. We have become a wildly divided nation, with some groups fighting for their own interests instead of working together for the common good. It’s time to start repairing and returning to the American values we were designed to be. We must Start today, first in our own lives and then beyond.
We must come together as a nation and start working towards solutions that benefit everyone, not just a select few. We must value hard work and determination and treat each other with respect and compassion. We must turn to the God of all creation and ask for His forgiveness, strength, character, and wisdom. These are the values that made America great in the first place, and they’re the values that will help us move forward into a better future.
Finding Our Way Back to American Values
It is no secret that the American people are angry. We are angry at the government, Wall Street, and each other. We feel we have been betrayed by the institutions supposed to protect us and improve our lives. We are lost, and we don’t know how to find our way back to the America we used to believe in.
But there is hope. There are still people out there who believe in the American values of hard work, personal responsibility, God-honoring lives, and opportunity for all. These are the values that have made America great, and they are worth struggling for.
We need to start by repairing the damage that has been done. We need to rebuild trust in our government, churches, schools, and financial institutions. We need to create jobs and provide opportunities for all Americans.
And then we need to return to those American values that have always made us strong. We need to be a nation that works together instead of against each other. We need to be a nation that looks out for its citizens instead of exploiting them. We need to be a nation that believes in opportunity for all, not just for a privileged few. This is possible, but not if we continue at our present course.
These are the values that built America, and they can help us build a better future. There is much discussion these days about American values. So how can we repair and return to American values?
It starts with each of us as individuals. We must start treating others respectfully, decently, and even graciously, regardless of their political beliefs or background. We must also stand up for what we believe in, even when it is unpopular or inconvenient.
In addition, we must come together as a country and work towards common goals. We must put aside our differences and work towards the common good. Only then can we hope to repair the damage that has been done and return to the American values that have made us great.
Repairing and returning to American values does not have to be a complex process, but it will take dedication and effort. We should all strive to remember the principles that our nation was founded upon and work together in order to create an America that is strong, prosperous, and just. We can restore these values throughout the country through education, civic engagement, church engagement, grassroots initiatives, and other efforts. It is up to each of us, as citizens of this great nation, to ensure that our American values are upheld for generations to come.
This isn’t about political change (although needed) but rather systemic, individual, and cooperative change. Come on, America. We are better than this, aren’t we?
Go in Peace, Chuck
