The vast land of the United States was once inhabited by a relatively small number of indigenous people. These native “Indians” lived throughout the land for thousands of years and will always remain the first inhabitants of what is now the United States. These native people helped the pilgrims survive the winter. Later, European immigrants came, and the number of settlements finally outgrew the native Americans.
Then, on July 4, 1776, America declared independence from England, the old white grandfather across the sea. The miracle of America happened, and its dynamic birth rapidly changed the entire world.
America developed into thirteen colonies, then into the strong 50 states she is today. In a very short time, America grew from a log cabin settlement to the world’s largest and most technologically powerful economy. The United States is a nonpareil icon and the envy of the world. In many surprising ways, America resembles the great ancient Persian Empire. Like the Persians, who rarely regret the past, Americans always believe “the best days are ahead.” Like the ancient Persian Empire once was, the United States is the greatest country in the world. Like the ancient Persians, who were the first-world managers and the most tolerant empire-builders, America, by its constitution, is also the most tolerant and benevolent nation in the world.
Ancient Persian kings released the Jews from Babylonian captivity, financed the re-establishment of their country, and restored their national religion. (Zionists, they were!) America has done the same. In a strange sense, America is a reincarnation of Persia, an extension of the Achaemenid Empire. No wonder the immigrant Persians (Iranian-Americans) hold the United States very close to their hearts and have blossomed here in their new home. Unfortunately, tragedy reigns in the land of the old Persians. The remnants of the great Persian Empire were swallowed up by the Muslim conquerors storming out of Arabia. An oppressive version of Islam eviscerated the spiritual life of tolerant old Persia. It has taken centuries for the Persians (modern Iranians) to recover their spirit. Zoroastrianism, the original Iranian religion, was not an effective barrier against the radical, murderous version of the religion from the Arabian desert. Zoroastrianism has not rebounded with the new Persian nationalism today.
The Persian Renaissance lies in the spirit of the Iranians themselves. This spirit alone can overcome the Islamists who rule as tyrants. Unfortunately, tragedy reigns in the land of the United States today, and it is up to the people to use the American spirit and get our country back on track. Nations and empires do indeed have “life cycles.” Many historians have studied this throughout the years, and all have come to the same conclusion: a lifetime of about two centuries.
And they all seem to go through the same life cycle: “from bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependency; from dependence back again into bondage.” (Alexander Tyler, 1750). Where are we in this cycle? “We, too, have gone from bondage to spiritual faith; from faith to great courage which established our precious liberty, which, in turn, has given us unprecedented abundance that has made us the world’s envy. That abundance, however, has led to complacency and apathy. (If you ask the average person, What is the biggest problem in America? Is it ignorance, or is it apathy? They will probably respond, “I don’t know, and I don’t care!”
To make matters worse, a noisy clique of local leftists, “useful idiots” with a suicide wish, are doing all they can to take the country with them to the grave they so earnestly seek. On both sides of the Atlantic, these self-appointed squatters of the higher ground are riding so high on their high horse that they are blind to the realities down on earth. When events such as this come to light, it almost makes one wonder if we are merely witnessing a march toward European-style Socialism or are we witnessing a march toward a Totalitarian state.
We live in an unpredictable era. It is like watching a train wreck in slow motion, except, regrettably, we are the passengers sitting on that train. History provides ample illustrations of the disastrous consequences of the collapse of law and order. “In ancient Greece, the first disorder symptoms were a general loss of respect for tradition and the degradation of the young. Among the early symptoms was the decline of art and entertainment. The philosophers and pundits distorted the medium of communication. Rhetoric became combative and intolerant; intellectuals began to deride and attack all the traditional institutions of Hellenic society.” Ibid., 35-36.
America is still the last haven of hope where humanity can flourish. The world owes a great deal to America for inspiration and practical accomplishment. Americans have helped every other nation in the world. America’s enemies decry her greatness, yet they want to be in America and to be American. We must remember that the Constitution is the charter that lights this country’s path. I’m afraid I have to disagree with those who are more than willing to violate the Constitution and call it little more than a body of suggestions that can be disregarded when expedient. To us, the Constitution should be our nation’s most sacred document. The document binds its vastly diverse constituents as equal, loyal members. The law-abiding American people should join with heroes today and express our love for America. America is far more than a country. It is a place of greatness, where the souls and strength of our founding fathers still dwell side by side with modern heroes, and all heroes, past and present, need to unite to preserve America. Together, we can write our own history as a people and take our country back.
