The American Divide

The American Cultural Divide

February 7, 2011

http://www.atwebo.com/cotobuzz/America/America.htm

Introduction

What is an American?  If a so-called American does not believe in American exceptionalism, is he or she still  American?  What if you are a Hyphen-American? 

American Culture Defined

Elephant in the Room 

An American through Australian glasses

American Culture Links:  Freedom |  Family  |  American Culture Links |  Other 

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Other 

A Winning the Future Moment, or Simply: WTF?
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – President Obama has ditched the car in the ditch metaphor and the Hope & Change slogan in lieu of taking the engine off of an airplane metaphor and Winning the Future slogan . Critics say that the new metaphor does not work, since the airplane is heading to China to mortgage future generations of American, when the airplane has no fuel, while Governor Sarah Palin characterizes the new slogan as “What Were They Thinking” (WWTT) or in the vernacular: WTF?

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From American Culture:

Freedom	Family	American Culture
1.History 2.Flag3.Declaration4.Constitution5.Bill of Rights6.American Eagle7.Ceremonies	1.Weddings 2.Anniversaries 3.Family Meal 4.Window Candle 5.Children 6.Yellow Ribbon 7.Values 8.Flowers 9.The Recipe Box	1.Holidays 2.Craftsmanship3.Entrepreneurship4.Leadership 5.Know-How  6.Competition  7.Cost of Living  8.Citizenship  9.Careers

Introduction

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - What is an American?  If a so-called American does not believe in American exceptionalism, is he or she still  American?  What if you are a Hyphen-American?  That is, what if you are European American, Native American, or African American, are you first and foremost a Hyphen-American, or simply American.  These and other related questions embody what we refer to as the Elephant in the Room, largely ignored by California Republicans and Tea Party activists, while fully exploited by the Democrats during the 2010 mid-term elections.  Should the trend continue, the 2012 elections will not be much different.

This page is intended to be a repository that may flesh out the Elephant in the Room and ascertain whether the American Cultural Divide is narrowing or not.

So, what does it mean to be American?  What is the  American Culture?   What do Americans value? What are American's shared goals?
In this context, observable symbols and signs of  the American Culture include stories and legends, rituals and ceremonies, language, physical structures and symbols. For example, bacon and eggs are a traditional American breakfast, just like baseball and hot dogs. Also unique to America is the US Constitution, which asserts that Americans have inalienable rights endowed by the Creator – not by any government or parasitic bureaucracy, for example . Clearly, as defined, the American culture cannot be legislated. Rather, it is a code of conduct, often unwritten that binds the US into a discernible fabric. It has been passed down from the Founding Father to other generation through folk tales and traditions.

President Obama, former House Speaker Pelois and current House Speaker Boehner are the embodiment of what it means to be an American -  An American is anyone who loves life enough to want the best that it has to offer, not satisfied with status quo.  An American is anyone who understands that to achieve the best in life does not required government to legislate entitlements, but ut requires initiative, taking risks, perseverance, hard work, a willingness to stand up for what is right and  most of all, finishiaitive.

An American is anyone who understands the need to use common sense to meet life's challenges as opposed to the use of superior cognitive skills - just ask Apple Computer Founders or even Sun Microsystems, Scot McNeal, for example.  Consistent with the Christian tradition,  the principles of this country are no mere abstractions; they are written in the hearts of all true Americans