keeping the faith

 Some years back I wrote, "domestic tranquility can only be achieved through cultural commonality" a statement I still support. When I wrote that line I was thinking domestic tranquilly as mentioned in the preamble to the constitution. The authors of that document where talking about peace at home, that home being this nation. It is true that the United States was formed from a diversity of cultures, the proverbial melting pot. It needs to be understand however that whenever something is "melted" ingredients combined, a new alloy is formed. The objective being the creation of a common formula, a repeating of the process to produce a consistent result. To become an American, to share that cultural commonality.

 The constitution of the United States of America is that formula. That was the intent, the purpose and the desire of those composing it. That was explained in that preamble. The constitution itself, the body of that document, sets the "rules" for cultural commonality. This is how things are going to work in this government. The first ten amendments were to ensure individual rights. The fear being too strong a central government could lead to tyranny. A condition those men were quite aware of. Those amendments become a part of the constitution in 1791. The majority of amendments following those concern the administration of government. Further efforts to create a commonality among the people. The rights of the individual states were to be protected as well. Efforts to establish a commonality of purpose. It is recognized that there is "more than one way to skin a cat." The goal however, remains the same. And the goal of the constitution is to establish domestic tranquility. To create a commonality of purpose. 

 So what is culture. Culture is the shared beliefs, moral values, ethical standards, language and way of life in a society. It may be an isolated group of people or a nation. Whenever any of those things are in conflict within the society there are social issues. In general, people fear what is different. Yes there are those that are curious and will explore that. Rarely however do they adopt a new culture, preferring the familiar. Even when they remain within that group, either by choice or by force, they seldom assimilate completely. There is that desire to retain our past, to embrace it. It is the "shared beliefs" that is the greatest stumbling block to cultural commonality. The authors of the constitution where well aware of that. That is the reason no state religion was established, indeed the reason it was clearly stated in the establishment clause. You can not legislate belief. 

 The constitution does indeed have lofty goals. It is the basis of the American dream. It is what every man wants, to live free. But man lives within a society and always has. Our constitution says, to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty. Those are the goals. In order to achieve those goals we must share a culture of commonalty. In short, we have to all believe the same thing! When we don't, that's when the argument begins. We can not live free of cultural norms. In fact it is by abandoning those cultural norms that societies collapse. Then we are faced once again with the need to form a more perfect union. Or we can just preserve the one we already have. It really is as Franklin said when asked, "well Doctor, what have we got, a republic, or a monarchy?" He replied, " a republic, if you can keep it."