In the angry debates about health-care reform, it would help to remember that our nation was built on two great themes of the "American dream." One of those themes has always been liberty -- freedom from unwarranted restraint or coercion. This ideal exalts the rugged individual who stands alone, and sees government's role to keep us from infringing one another's liberty.
The second great theme has been community -- the belief that the well-being of any of us depends upon the well-being of all. This ideal shines in times of natural disaster, in generosity toward good causes, and in matters like public education and fire and police protection for all, regardless of status. Government is seen as "us" taking compassionate action.
The ideals of liberty and community have alternated over time -- liberty in Colonial days and in world wars, and community in the ecology movement under Theodore Roosevelt (a Republican) and the National Recovery Act under Franklin Roosevelt (a Democrat).
Ironically, in the current health-care debate, the theme of community gets labeled "socialism," while product subsidies are seen as "free-market capitalism." Both themes of American life are essential -- in balance. Neither alone maintains a healthy nation. Liberty without community can lead to rampant individualism -- "the devil take the hindmost." Community without liberty can lead to the "entitlement mentality."
Instead of assigning each other inflammatory labels, we could benefit our country, ourselves and our children by affirming that both ideals -- liberty and community -- are necessary to the true American dream.
CURTIS PATTERSON
Winston-Salem
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement