Independence Day prompts a thought-provoking question: Could Americans of today have secured victory in the Revolutionary War, and would they have even desired to engage in such a battle? While our leaders often speak passionately about freedom, it is Thomas Jefferson’s eloquent words in the Declaration of Independence that resonate most deeply. Yet, not even Jefferson’s powerful rhetoric could persuade the British to release their grip on us. It took the force of arms to accomplish that. The act of having a country necessitates a willingness to fight for it. However, Americans took up arms for a variety of reasons, including economic, local, religious, and ideological motivations. What the Continental Congress did, by authorizing Jefferson’s words, was to encapsulate all of these disparate grievances and arguments into a singular moral case, expressed in the strongest legal and philosophical language of that time.
The mind follows the heart, but when the mind wavers, so too does the heart. The Declaration of Independence obliterated any doubt within the hearts of patriots. Americans possessed both the skills to wield firearms and the ability to unite on the battlefield, prepared to endure the hardships of war. They were mentally and physically prepared to fight until they achieved victory. Unfortunately, today’s generation of Americans, especially those of military age, are ill-prepared. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the Defense Department states that 77% of American youths are deemed unfit for military service due to physical fitness deficiencies, low test scores, criminal records (including drug use), or other problems. While individual character flaws may be attributable to young individuals, when an entire generation is inadequately prepared for the responsibilities of citizenship, including the ultimate duty of defending the nation, the blame falls heavily on their elders. Our institutions have shaped this current cohort of youth, and the leaders at the helm of these institutions have failed them entirely.
The message conveyed by our schools, universities, media, political organizations, and even a concerning number of hospitals and churches is that life is primarily about seeking immediate and effortless gratification. If individuals face personal consequences resulting from such a lifestyle, such as obesity, drug addiction, or a criminal record, society’s task is to mitigate the self-inflicted harm through body-positive propaganda, the establishment of “safe” injection sites, and reforms within the criminal justice system. If Americans are lonely or sad, there is a pill or a pornographic website to provide solace without fear of judgment.
Hedonism is a danger faced by all prosperous societies. What distinguishes American society in the 21st century is not merely our penchant for immediate gratification, but the vehement attack launched against anyone or anything that challenges this way of life. This includes the fury directed towards our own history, even at statues commemorating individuals who prioritized their country and honor over personal indulgence. Benjamin Franklin did not embody the ideals of a puritan, and while George Washington demonstrated impeccable discipline, he also possessed a realistic understanding of human psychology. In his letters to Congress, Washington emphasized the necessity of compensating the army, recognizing that while patriotism was a potent force, self-interest also needed to be harnessed in service of America’s military requirements. The heroes of the Revolution and the architects of our Constitution possessed a comprehensive understanding of human nature, acknowledging the coexistence of pleasure and duty, self-interest and patriotism. They did not rely on the notion of perfection, and neither can we.
However, our contemporary liberal leaders, who oversee our institutions, find the concept of balance distasteful. It is viewed as overly judgmental and implies that certain individuals lead superior lives compared to others. Consequently, a generation has been raised to prioritize comfort over glory, rendering them inadequate for service. Instead of admiring the heroes of our nation’s independence, this generation has been taught to distance themselves from them, maybe even harbor hostility. Unfortunately, this historical and emotional revisionism has not made our young people happier; it has only worsened their capability as citizens. Moral habits are the foundation of a society prepared to fight, and the ideas we impart shape these habits. While England’s new king, Charles III, is unlikely to follow in the footsteps of George III, the truth remains that we would not have achieved our independence 240 years ago with a citizenry molded by the prevailing cultural ideas of today. In future wars, an adversary may discover that we have already defeated ourselves long before reaching the battlefield. Our struggles in recruiting for our military are merely symptoms of a more lethal illness – the loss of what initially granted us freedom.
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