Politicians, talk show hosts and even citizens all use the term “American values” – but what are American values exactly?
Last week, two news stories centered on the issue of values in America, and I wondered if the many people who use or support the term freely can actually define what it means.
The announcement that Stephen Colbert from “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central would be David Letterman’s replacement next year drew instant criticism from radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. On his radio show, Limbaugh said, “No longer is comedy going to be a covert assault on traditional American values, conservatism.” A few days before the announcement that Colbert would replace Letterman, Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly said that Stephen Colbert was leading the destruction of America, which seemed to imply that Colbert represented an attack on American values.
The other news story that raised the issue of American values was when Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Roger Villere, chairman of the Louisiana GOP, called for the resignation of Representative Vance McAllister (R) following the release of video showing the married congressman making out with a married congressional staffer.
Representative McAllister’s political campaign was based on his set of values, which he promised to bring with him into office.
So, exactly what are American values? Do people who use that term to get elected or to promote themselves as virtuous, upstanding individuals ever think about what it specifically means when they talk about American values? We hear the term, we say it, and we accept it without defining what it means.
Rush Limbaugh related American values to conservatism. Are American values conservative? Would that mean that those who define themselves as liberal or independent do not have American values? Are American values based on a specific political ideology?
There also seems to be a tendency to link American values with Christian beliefs and conservative ideology. Politicians like Vance McAllister and Newt Gingrich are among the many politicians who promoted their patriotism and Christian values in a way that suggests they are the politicians who can be trusted to uphold the values of America while serving in office.
The stereotype that is most likely to promote the idea of American values is an individual who is white, conservative Christian, married with a family who lives in the suburbs. That suggests that a Democrat who is single, a Catholic and lives in an urban setting does not support American values. Catholics are Christians, but many of those who describe themselves as Christians separate themselves from Catholics, Episcopal and other religions that are not considered Bible-based religions. Attempts to exclude those outside of the group of white, married, Christian conservatives from believing in American values are arrogant and judgmental.
Are “American values” reserved for white, married, conservative Christians who live in the suburbs? I am white, single and I am not a staunch conservative. I do not fit the profile that many right-wing Christians believe you must fit into in order to call yourself a “Christian.” I also live downtown, rent an apartment, and do not own a home. Are individuals like me exempt from having American values?
I think I represent American values. I work hard. I have worked for opportunities and can’t think of much that has been given to me without hard work and commitment. I believe that life is not always fair and that when you have setbacks, you must accept the setbacks and work to overcome them. America does not guarantee riches or success, but does guarantee opportunity. I believe in family and in parents raising their children to understand the difference between right and wrong and that there are consequences for negative behavior.
I believe in freedom. Not just the freedom that I enjoy, but the freedom of others I don’t like or agree with. I believe in equality. Not just for me, but also when it comes to those who do not share my specific beliefs or ancestry. I believe equality even for those who are different from me. I believe in freedom of religion, and not just for the religion I believe in. I believe the idea that the “American Dream” is not the same for everyone. I strongly believe that personal accountability is a crucial concept to any civilized society. And I believe that America is a welcoming nation, and that we should all celebrate our diversity and be tolerant of it.
Do I have “American values?” Do you have “American values” – even if you do not fit into the specific category that many Americans think you must fit into in order to say you have “American values?”
If the term “American values” is going to be used in political campaigns and to define individual political and social ideology, then it is imperative for everyone who uses the term to understand what “American values” really means.
Rick warren noted that pride is not good. scoot you are too proud in your deviant liberal thinking.
Scoot panders to homosexuals but is outraged when some thinks he is one.
Scoot is arrogant above his pay grade and spends a lot of time being self-righteous.
The values enbraced by Obama and his brown shirt Zombies ...
Saul David Alinsky (January 30, 1909 – June 12, 1972) was an American community organizer and writer. He is generally considered to be the founder of modern community organizing. He is often noted for his book Rules for Radicals. From that book here are Saul's thoughts on how to create a social state:
There are 8 levels of control that must be obtained before you are able to create a social state. The first is the most important.
1) Healthcare – Control healthcare and you control the people
2) Poverty – Increase the Poverty level as high as possible, poor people are easier to control and will not fight back if you are providing everything for them to live.
3) Debt – Increase the debt to an unsustainable level. That way you are able to increase taxes, and this will produce more poverty.
4) Gun Control – Remove the ability to defend themselves from the Government. That way you are able to create a police state.
5) Welfare – Take control of every aspect of their lives (Food, Housing, and Income)
6) Education – Take control of what people read and listen to – take control of what children learn in school.
7) Religion – Remove the belief in the God from the Government and schools.
8) Class Warfare – Divide the people into the wealthy and the poor. This will cause more discontent and it will be easier to take (Tax) the wealthy with the support of the poor.
Scoot loves to mock and insult but cries like a baby when his mocking is
returned. Amazing that such a thin-skinned clown is a radio host, but WWL worships at the altar of diversity ... not knowing that it is freedom and NOT diversity that made America great.
The left is using the government to abuse and punish those that oppose their
views. I believe that eventually if the tyranny is not stopped you will have violence associated with our elections. Election headquarters in various places have already been fired out in past elections at night when no one as there by both sides. The left wants a Nanny State run by an imperial government and conservatives want personal freedom, states rights, and personal responsibility. History shows that in time we will come to blows as the left continues to abuse private citizens. Tyranny always leads to violence. Obama would love it. It might give him a chance to seize more power. America is in major decline. When the debt destroys our economy chaos will follow.
Obama and Eric Holder refuse to obey or enforce many of this country's laws ...
thus, why should any other American obey the laws? If they can pick and choose then we can to.
When you break it down ... Obama Presidency
has just been one big RACE CARD. He and his henchmen have played it over and over again in order to stir fear in anyone that would oppose his polices. It has scared most other politicians. The few that have really stood up to him are tarred and featheredby the media and the ignorant are taught to hate them. Sad that so many Americas would allow the economy, military, health care system and vales to be destroyed just to protect the ego of a black-skinned man.
The Marxist agitator Hussein Obama is nothing more than a skid mark in the underwear of these United States.
The New Ameican Values ... Làziness and Greéd ....
Food Stamp Recipients Outnumber Women Who Work Full-Time ... welcome to Obamàville ...
An American value is not selfishness.
I base my values from the Greatest Generation. Italian American, Mexican American, Irish American, every Native American tribe, Japanese American, Chinese American, African American and others that I cannot quickly say on top of my head.
They valued their country not for themselves, but for their future generations.
That is why the U.S. remains strong despite turmoil. My place is not to be comfortable, but to see that the future gets better.
By vote, by sacrifice, that is my place in the U.S. and that is to make the world better not for me, but for its future.
That is why such a young country remains strong.
I value my country more than me.
I am the United States.
Most of these posts are hilarious....
....and pretty much illustrate Scoot's point.
With 53% of all Americans on some kind of government handout,
the country as prosperous is over. Real greed exists primarily in Washington and among the lazy poor.
If Harry Reid authorizes the murder of the Bundy family using his puppet
at the BLM then I would have no problem if someone popped Reid and his family. Reid would be guilty of murder and deserve the same fate.
LOL... Progressives ...
liberals and Democrats know Obama is an incredible moron...
... But they can't say a word because they'll be called RACISTS!
Democrats - The Party of LIARS, RINOs, TAXES, Corruption, Haters, progressives, liberals, gimmiedats, cowards, perverts, racists, atheists, ACORNS, black Panthers, gang-bangers, homosexuals, prostitutes, drug addicts, illegal aliens, transsexuals, OWS moochers, welfare moms, freeloaders, navigators, the rest of the dregs of society, and the lowest of all, politicians, all grouped together behind a fruity little narcissist.
The Serial Poster doesn't have American values
Obviously, he doesn't work for a living or doesn't mind committing white collar crime by serial posting on the boss's dime.
Doesn't matter what you think
It doesn't matter what you think should be labeled as "American values" because no matter how much time we spend on perfecting them, some group, no matter who, will be unsatisfied with the results. There are too many viewpoints to be able to define American values.