After reading the Wikipedia article on the subject, which doesn’t really give a definition of what un-American should mean, I figured I might try to think about it myself. What defines being American? Since it only really concerns the government at the present time, it should be fairly easy to define.
American
We are free from enslavement by the government, and each other (well, unless we screw up, in which case the government can enslave us in prison). We embrace free enterprise, and demonize central planning in business and industry. We are free to speak and to own weapons (mostly – see Free Speech Zones and the soon-to-be-brought-back-permanently Assault Weapons Ban). We have freedom of movement within our borders, and many other individual rights that I will not reiterate here.
Un-American
It would be un-American to allow people to enslave other people for any reason. This includes creating any individual right to any service provided by another individual. The only exception to this seems to be the right to a fair trial, which binds a judge and possibly a jury to try an individual, yet the right to have others dictate one’s fate isn’t a right that allows the individual to hold power over others, but rather the opposite. This seems to be necessary for a free society. It is un-American to prohibit free speech, free movement between territories of the United States, and thanks to Heller, ownership of weapons by law-abiding citizens. It is un-American to legislate social norms, which prohibit freedom of expression, or to prohibit any free speech that does not direct to incite and is not likely to incite imminent lawless action, search or seize private property without a warrant based on probable cause, etc. etc. Bill of Rights verbatim.
Validity
Yet, is being un-American part of being American? How paradoxical would that be? Congress can amend the Constitution, and the proposition of such an action is not un-American. Does the Declaration of Independence not give us all the right to dissent against a government destructive to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness?
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
So, if this statement is “American,” the un-American equivalent would be to never question your government, no matter how destructive it becomes. The interesting thing is that questioning the actions of the government (eg. war) seems to be one of the things that is popularly called un-American, or un-patriotic.
A patriot is someone who thinks, feels or voices expressions of patriotism, support for their country.
There is a difference between supporting your country and supporting your government. Supporting your country has to do with creating the maximum opportunity and protection (including protection of individual rights) for your fellow American, whoever he/she happens to be. Supporting your government is simply going along with whatever your leaders have chosen to do, even if that happens to be harming other Americans, which is called patriotism, but is more like fanatical nationalism. Those who are truly un-patriotic express a desire for failure of other Americans, or the infringement of their rights. Those who are truly un-American reject the existence of unalienable rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, but may be pro-government and nationalist at the same time. This all depends on the current policies of those in power. Think about that next time you hear these pejoratives.
Uncategorized
america, government, politics, un-american, usa
