Love the USA

The Philosophy, not the Leaders

The mantle of a great country is respect not fear. I have no doubt there are bad characters running bad countries throughout the globe. If these countries are left unchecked, they most surely will impose their tyranny on weaker souls. The Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights are documents of respect not fear and thus tyrants will always abhor their very existence.

Today, July 4th, I respect the United States of America. I respect that her founders studied history and philosophers so that they could learn what types of government did not work. I respect that they sought the wisdom from our past and of Nature's God when designing our charter documents. For even the best people do not have a chance at maintaining freedom if the core philosophy governing them is wrong.

Alfred North Whitehead once said, “All of Western philosophy is but a footnote to Plato.” In honor of the 4th of July and deference to Whitehead, I will leave you with some quotes from Plato that I imagine our founding fathers contemplated while constructing our very unique, three branch style of government, our republic:

If these citizens were convinced of their freedom, they would not need reminders. -Socrates

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. -Plato

In politics we presume that everyone who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a city or a state. When we are ill we do not ask for the handsomest physician, or the most eloquent one. -Plato

Those who are able to see beyond the shadows and lies of their culture will never be understood, let alone believed, by the masses. -Plato

The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men. -Plato

Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws. -Plato

Men of Athens, I honor and love you; but I shall obey God rather than you, and while I have life and strength I shall never cease from the practice and teaching of philosophy. Understand that I shall never alter my ways, not even if I have to die many times. -Socrates

I am that gadfly which God has attached to the state, and all day long arousing and persuading and reproaching. You will not easily find another like me. -Socrates

Happy 4th of July!