Uncommon Sense

Copyright (c) 2011 Scott F Paradis

At a turning point in American history, a time of conflict where citizens had by necessity to choose sides, Thomas Paine affirmed: "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value."

Freedom was the celestial article for which Thomas Paine yearned. The bulwark of freedom was the foundation upon which lives of substance, lives of meaning, lives of opportunity were to be built. Only by charting one's own course are human beings truly alive.

The vestiges of oppression can never fulfill a dream of prosperity or peace or happiness. While a sovereign or omnipotent state might maintain these conditions, without freedom the individual never matures to assume full responsibility their contributions, their accomplishments, their journey of life. By acting together in free cooperation for the common good mankind rises from a subsistence existence to fulfill a destiny ordained by providence. This notion was nothing but common sense in 1776, however it is an idea seemingly lost on contemporary generations.

Some 235 years since Thomas Paine exhorted his fellow colonialists to stand against tyranny and oppression Americans self-righteously console themselves as the beacon of freedom for a troubled world. Yet despite delusions of grandeur America wallows aimlessly on the precipice of calamity. Once the greatest creditor nation on earth, the United States is now the greatest debtor nation the world has ever known. The collusion of titans of finance, captains of industry, and the puppeteers of politics have eroded a once noble foundation. They work feverishly to consolidate gains amassed while the huddled masses are placated with bread and games.

The promises of freedom - opulence, possessions and comfort - the ends, have replaced the means: necessity for action, a willingness to shoulder a burden and the courage to assume full responsibility. Collaboration toward a common cause to build a brighter future for successive generations, has deteriorated into a no-holds barred competition for the crumbs falling from the banquet tables of the elite. Collective self-interest - to cooperate, collaborate, work and succeed - has been replaced by avarice and scheming, competition and corruption. Moral clarity - striving for justice, tranquility and the general welfare - have been usurped by the drive to consume, control and dominate.

The concentrating of wealth, and the power attendant in wealth, is the one existential threat to the greatest experiment in self-governance ever contrived.

We the people, all of us, are complicit in this derision. As in all places and times, oppressors and the oppressed are coconspirators. Fear and wanton self-aggrandizement are the supple weapons to which the masses fall victim. As it is "the people's government", the people are as responsible as the criminals for the travesties committed. We have, measure by measure, allowed the wearing away of principled, disciplined governance. Through the system we have refined we have allowed the frailties of human nature to flourish, consummating a leaderless coup. Failing to stand together, we fall apart. The means of affluence flow to ever more emboldened hands.

Now is the moment to apply uncommon sense.

To regain our footing we must return to our roots. By the ingenuity of mind, conviction of spirit and sweat of the brow American prospered. But in celebrating success earned by prior generations we have grown satiated, satisfied and comfortable. Our penchant for consumption ushers in ruin.

The uncommon sense, "in these times that try men's souls", is to discipline ourselves, rein ourselves in, sacrifice and endure the pain. "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly." The days of the American empire are passed. We must make the hard choices to restore fiscal discipline. We must clip the wings of gluttonous opportunists. Uncommon measures are demanded of a free and noble people to right our course. "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." Let us not fade from this task.


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Scott F. Paradis, author of "Promise and Potential: A Life of Wisdom, Courage, Strength and Will" http://www.promiseandpotential.com publishes "Insights" available for free at http://www.c-achieve.com