by Clay Barham

Created on: November 28, 2007   Last Updated: November 30, 2007

Why Is America Different?

What is the big thing that really divides Americans today? The answer describes legislative and judicial actions and why the different political parties. Our core difference is our divided views on whether community interests or legitimate self-interests are most important, the collective or the individual. In America, pursuing individual legitimate self-interests always worked best. With success, families and communities prospered. Americans wanted no managers, no tyranny, only free and productive actions of free individuals to rule. American's successful free market and local charitable generosity proved them right. In spite of that evidence, liberal elite question whether free individuals are morally and intellectually capable of existing without guidance, as a parent rules his children. Elite cannot believe free actions of individuals can manage community best. If it "Takes a Village," and the village has no interests, soul or heart, then forcing the interests of the ruler on everyone is needed.

There are only two world traditions. The first is where a few rule the many, from family, tribe and nation. It is the longest running world tradition. Old World chiefs, kings, and dictators limit growth and prevent change. Rulers had wealth and subjects had poverty. Happiness was for the least number, and misery for the most. Wars, rebellions and famine were common. The second tradition began in North America almost 400 years ago. A small group of immigrants settled on the frontier and had to survive on their own with no help. Individual freedom and acceptance of responsibility to one's family and community, not a ruler, created a new way of life. They had no choice. A moral code defined the limits to behavior. Unbridled individual creativity and ingenuity provided the greatest happiness to the greatest number, and the least misery to the least number. Here are two traditions the world has experienced.

Frederick Bastiat, a French legislator in the mid-1800's, in his essay "To the Youth of France," said, "All men's impulses, when motivated by legitimate self-interest, fall into a harmonious social pattern." Individual self-interests are, by their very nature and for the most part, harmonious with society. If true, liberty is necessary and no one should prevent or try to redirect those interests. America proved him right! If self-interests are antagonistic, as some feel, society must regulate people's affairs and opinions. People-control takes

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