Prager University has a video presentation, “American values” which is no more than historical fiction. These values, Dennis Prager claims in the video, are a result of America’s unique position as not being defined by race and ethnicity. He claims America is defined by three values: 1. E Pluribus Unum 2. Liberty 3. In God We Trust.
Such claims redefine the founding of the republic.
“American values” indicate, incorrectly, a value system of a single entity. That is to say, a single state of The United States as in contradiction of the founding when The United States were defined in the Declaration of Independence as free and independent states i.e. states united. There were different values state to state.
The people of these states (formerly colonies) had certain values which often were local. There were no “American values,” but in fact, there were values in America.
These values, as per the video, he personally labeled as, “the American Trinity.” His introduction indicated that America was the only nation in the world that is not defined other than by race and ethnicity. America is, he said, in fact, defined by values. And these values are exclusive to America.
This sort of fiction is at the heart of movements to “do away” with the Electoral college which is the election process for a federal system, wherein the states elect the president and not the people of a nation. Presumably, those who offer the “do away” jargon mean appeal the constitution.
If the people are sold on the idea that there is a single value system for all fifty states, then the states have no more significance than counties in a given state. The people of Butte Montana are simply the same Americans with the same values as the people of Chicago, Illinois.
So, are Illinois and Montana just scattered Americans living in different places with the same American values? So, why should the states elect a president? Just let the people elect him nationally and forget federal and federalism.
Taken in order, examine Prager’s values:
E. Pluribus Unum
This is one of those fictions from the revolutionary war days that reach the public mindset via “repeat it” until it sticks.
“When first adopted simply as a motto shortly after the founding in 1776 this Latin phrase referred to the 13 American Colonies becoming one nation, Praeger said.
Hardly, since the concept of anything national did not arise until the Constitutional Convention in 1787 when the “national” plan was thrown out in favor of the “federal” plan; hence the fiction of “one nation.”
At the signing in 1776, each state was independent, and five had already seceded from the British Empire via each’s own declaration of independence: Virginia, New Hampshire, South Carolina, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Again, no nation, but a secession of independent states.
No consolidation into one unified nation was created by or under this catchy Latin phrase, E. Pluribus Unum that supposedly has depicted some huge national melting pot. A federal-style government simply took up a signature for certification when unified on a subject.
From: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs
“Resolved, that Dr. Franklin, Mr. J. Adams, and Mr. Jefferson, be a committee, to bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America.”
“The task proved far more difficult than anticipated; it took 6 years, two more committees, and the combined efforts of 14 men before the Great Seal of the United States became a reality on June 20, 1782.”
E. Pluribus Unum was merely designed as a script for The Great Seal of the Confederation’s official documents; nothing more. This seal presented a federal union whereby the members (states) would vote and not some national state of people voting with universal values.
Liberty
This is one among many rights granted by our Creator, so the Declaration of Independence states. But Praeger’s video states that liberty is a value “enshrined” by America. Is it God bless America or America bless God?
In God, We Trust
All Americans, not simply in war, but for every event, every law, are one. And though the concept of “no establishment of religion” is a part of the Bill of Rights, we offer homage to “In God We Trust,” as an American value? There are many Americans in many states with many values.
Five presidents have received fewer popular votes than their opponent and still managed to win the electoral vote of the states. John Q. Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, Benjamin Harrison, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump. The most recent, Donald Trump’s election, has fueled the fires for a national election by eliminating the federal system and the Electoral college.
It is clear why such liberal establishments as the Democratic party want such action. But the above-vetted nonsense by Neoconservatives that there is one America and that is a national American unified single state, wherein the people by majority vote elect the president speaks for itself about their historical insight. And probably their values.
But the people of a nation did not elect Donald Trump. The states of a federation elected Donald Trump. And though the people of America voted 48% to 47% for Hillary, the states elected Donald Trump in a landslide 57%-43%.
But as long as such twaddle, as above, about “American” values keep rolling around, the clock will keep running against the Electoral College—and necessarily the republic.
