Walter Isaacson, in his book “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written” (The Greatest Sentence Ever Written (2025), Simon & Schuster), talks about how the self-evident truths (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) in the Declaration of Independence became the foundation of the American government. He writes, “These truths became the creed that bound a diverse group of pilgrims and immigrants into one nation.” (Isaacson, p. 27)
How Founding Documents Shape Civic Identity
Isaacson continues his thought, saying that these early Americans found common ground and shared similar aspirations. He contends, “The concept of common ground has always been a part of humanity’s struggle to create a good society.” (Issacson, p. 27) Today, with Americans so deeply divided, we need to ask the question:
What DO we have in common?
Let’s revisit this question, as we increasingly become laser-focused on today’s news without regard for our history, heritage, and homeland.
American Progress in Overcoming Divisions
In addition to our history, we share in common our founding documents, the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. These documents, when studied, reveal the human tendency to separate into divisions. They also show the progress made in overcoming these divisions, such as granting all law-abiding citizens of voting age the right to vote. Note the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, Twenty-Fourth, and Twenty-Sixth amendments to the Constitution. These amendments to the Supreme Law of the Land gave the right to vote to former slaves, women, those 18 years of age and older, and removed the poll tax as a hindrance to voting for those who couldn’t afford it.
Our founding documents remind us that we are created equal (with equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed), that We the People run the government (not some groups of people), and that no one is above the law.
Symbols and Slogans That Bind a Nation
Divisions never were the goal in this country. The following words point to the goals of our forefathers:
“Out of Many, One”
“Liberty and Justice for All”
“A Constitutional Republic”
“Government of the People, by the People, and for the People”
“Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave”
“One Nation Under God”
“In God We Trust”
“We, the People”
Divisions within our country give our enemies an open door to exploit us. It’s an age-old truism that “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” If your mother and father are busy arguing, doesn’t that leave an opening to “do something just this once” that they won’t notice you doing? When an organization suffers division within itself, doesn’t that have a ripple effect? If a country is busy tearing itself apart, doesn’t that give the enemy an open door to take advantage of its citizens?
Practicing Traditional Americanism with Humility
The challenge we face is to practice traditional Americanism in a way that acknowledges our country’s shortcomings and failures without tearing the fabric of our nation to shreds.
Challenge accepted.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸
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