America's Identity Crisis

The National Archives' task force on racism claimed in a little-noticed report to the US's top librarian this week that the Archives' own Rotunda---which houses the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights---is an example of "structural racism" and that the "Founding Fathers and other White, historically impactful Americans are portrayed too positively."

The task force has submitted their 105-page report, which suggests ways to "reimagine the Rotunda"---and how we must have a "dialog about the ways that the United States has mythologized our founding era."

The report is calling for "trigger warnings" to be placed with historical content to "forewarn audiences of content that may cause intense physiological and psychological symptoms."

Trigger warning: Members of Congress are taking this seriously.

Be informed, not misled.

The New York Post, America's oldest continuously published newspaper, founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1801, published an article on the matter this week noting it's important that the public be informed, in that this report and its release has so far flown under the media radar.

I've reviewed the report, looking for something positive, but personally found nothing positive or constructive in it. Rather, it's all about "reimagining" America. Obama called it "remaking" America. Hillary called it "resetting" America. Joe Biden doesn't have a word for it---maybe it's his "build back better" slogan--- but he's all in.

And so are a number of elected officials, and that should trigger every American who loves our country---regardless of the color of their skin. 

The task force is suggesting various ways to "reimagine the Rotunda" including "staging dance or performance art in the space that invites dialog about ways that the United States has mythologized the founding era."

They are calling for a change of language on the government website---OurDocuments.gov-- to less celebratory of historically impactful Americans, such as President Thomas Jefferson.

This psychological agony goes on for 105-pages. Some of our elected officials are considering how to implement it.

Cassie Smedile, executive director of conservative group America Rising, said that the report is "the radical Left's latest attempt to sow division and rewrite history. With Democrats controlling every lever of our government, these efforts have only become more flagrant and pervasive. No institution, agency or classroom is off limits."

"Flagrant" could be an understatement. The task force is very open about their motives. They never question the validity of their negative assessment of America, they are only laser focused on the "solutions" that can be harvested from the crisis.

Why would they feel it necessary to "warn" citizens before they are told America's story? Because "trigger warnings" gives us the opportunity to mitigate harm and contextualize the records. It creates a space to share with the public our ultimate goals for reparative description, demonstrate our commitment to process, and address any barriers we may face in achieving these goals."

That's sometimes called "indoctrination."

The pathetic irony is that Brandeis University has labeled the phrase "trigger warning" itself as violent, and warned Leftists that trigger warnings themselves are going to have to have trigger warnings to conform to the "woke" cultural demands. 

If there's any "good" in all this insanity, it's that it is slowly but surely awakening millions of ordinary people, who go to work every day, take care of their families, pay their bills, love their family, love their country and love God.

The absurdity of this report speaks for itself.

The war on history has now raged its way to the protective glass of our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and our Bill of Rights---right under the dome of our Capitol.

As the Leftists raise their elitist hammer to smash that glass of  "democracy," they do so in absolute ignorance.

America is not a "democracy."

It's a "republic."

And there is a profound difference.

America's identity crisis.

There are profound differences between a democracy and a constitutional republic that are crucial to every part of American life.

Our Founding Fathers reminded us to defend our constitutional republic with all our might.

Alexander Hamilton said, "Real liberty is neither found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in modern governments."

It has been said, "Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to eat for lunch, but a republic is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."

Thomas Jefferson also saw profound issues with democracy. He noted there is always a war for power and control under democracy.

Our Founders understood this power struggle and set out to erase it from America. They achieved this by the separation of powers. Thus, we have the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Each of these branches have been given a different role and each role differs from each branch. The quest for absolute power is voided when there is no absolute power to achieve. 

Plato said, "Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy."

John Adams also saw the danger of democracy. He said, "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide."

Adams knew that democracy is hard and often fraught with human error. And it often leads to a government takeover of the people.

Democracy never lasts before someone new becomes appointed to rule over the masses. For this reason, the Founders formed our republic in a way that the people are both heard and represented. Representative democracy became their wise solution to this complex issue.

Every time a radical Democrat speaks, they talk about "saving the democracy." There is no "democracy." We are a republic.

The founders were explicit about their views on democracy for these reasons. That's why they worked long and hard and found solutions that led to what we now call a constitutional republic. Our system may not be perfect, but it is one in which every voice can be heard.

There are forces at work, even now, that seek to undermine and destroy the foundations of the greatest country in the history of the world.

Our Constitution and Declaration of Independence are not just dusty documents of ill repute and antiquated notions created by men who may now be only defined as racists.

No "hall of shame" can tarnish what those men and documents did, nor can they be purged from the hearts and minds of tens of millions of Americans who still believe in them.

Takeaway

It was Daniel Webster, a generation after our Founding Fathers, who would tell Congress:

"Hold on, my friends to the Constitution and to the Republic for which it stands. Miracles do not cluster, and what has happened once in 6000 years, may not happen again. Hold on to the Constitution, for if the American Constitution should fail, there will be anarchy throughout the world."

And he said this: 

"If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breath of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end."

America's  identity is so aligned with godly Truth that when the nation turns from God, it loses its identity and submits to anarchy and confusion. And our Constitution becomes vulnerable.

This is why John Adams said:

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

It's time America rediscovered its identity.

Who would be better prepared to make that introduction than the Christian church presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a confused culture?

Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Prayerful.