NWP...
I don't want to mix "Rights" with values. I think that most of us certainly value the rights that the Constitution permits, but values extend beyond fundamental rights.
A few years ago an Assoc. Professor at Winthrop University by the name of Guy Reel talked about American Values in an article of the same name. (
Reel Link ) Prof. Guy Reel listed and stated the following:
What is America? What are the values it has most fought for and admired? A few of the first, and most important, come to mind:
Freedom.
Equality.
Democracy.
Champion of the little guy.
Helper of the oppressed.
Defender against tyranny.
Some of the other values are ingrained in our history and our belief in our future:
Capitalism.
Independence.
Strength.
Rightness and righteousness.
Manifest destiny.
God.
Freedom of religion.
Family.
Wealth.
Faith.
Entertainment and happiness.
(SNIP)
He went on to say:
Even a casual reader of these values can see where conflicts might arise among them. Capitalism and strength have made America great, but they have generated their own set of inequalities. Our wealth is unequaled, but Jesus taught that our faith should make wealth meaningless. Equality is a wonderful ideal, but frankly, not everyone is created equal. Freedom is fine until we see our vast money-obsessed entertainment and happiness apparatus assaulting us with base immorality, cowardly news, and stupidity.
I think that I could make a list pretty much like Prof. Reel. In fact, my list would probably look similar to your list and others who post a list, but there is a reality about values and I think that the paragraph following Prof. Reel's list kinda speaks to some of the problems in defining values.
I think the the problems are way more complex than even Professor Reel talks about. But, I think that until we get "American Values" off of the Poltically Incorrect List" we are going to flounder and argue about the core meaning and ideas regarding American Values.
