The Reality of a City

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Citizens of the Republic,

In the proceeding blog posts, we discussed a vision. We identified that common thread of resilience – woven into the intricate tapestry of our nation’s story, which crosses party lines and summons each, and every one of us, to a higher calling and a greater purpose. We discussed the importance of belief – and its vital role in this great endeavor. We discussed the text where the phrase city upon a hill originated and gleaned a non-exhaustive list of general principles from its author, John Winthrop – which provides us, at the very least, with a signpost – pointing towards our hill.

Yet the real question remains, what is the reality of building this city upon a hill? How can imperfect man strive for a utopian ideal? Is this all just an exercise in quixotic idealism or is there some value in sailing onwards towards a land that might not even exist?

Well, fellow citizen, you are right. A city upon a hill is an unattainable ideal – it is a vision splendor – it is an idyllic utopia – an impossible dream – a beacon of light and hope in a dark world filled with all the pain and suffering mankind can conjure up.

I imagine that this reveal may come as a bit of a letdown at first. Nevertheless, I hope that you will bear with me for a moment – for here is where the real magic truly comes into play.

Whilst acknowledging that all men are imperfect, and as such, are incapable of perfect governance – we as Americans still believe in striving for excellence – we believe in the unattainable, we believe in the impossible. We believe that if you fail – you must strive and strive and strive again – for the very act of struggling to achieve our dreams molds us into better human beings at the end of the day. Regardless of the outcome.

In essence, if you aim for the gutter, you will surely hit it – but if you aim for the moon and miss, you will land amongst the stars – and sometimes, just sometimes, in the great course of human history – you hit the mark – and walk upon the moon.

As I have previously said, only dictators, tyrants and despots boast to the multitudes that their regimes will last for a thousand years. I make no such prognostications for our people.

All I can say is that we still have work to do – we must build our city, brick by brick, generation by generation – until that final bell is rung.

For in a world where democracy is under attack, and authoritarian regimes propound the insidious lie that only the one, or the few, must rule over the many, we must stand for the basic principle that “We the People,” can govern ourselves – and that while imperfect man, is incapable of perfect governance – democracy produces the most fertile soil for humanity to flourish – and reach its utmost potential.

Finally, on a personal note, I began this blog series by discussing the impetus behind this website. I discussed how as a thirteen-year-old, living abroad in the aftermath of 9/11, I encountered a critic of my country who pontificated: “America got what it deserved…and it will fall one day…like any other empire.”

My answer is this:  One day my country may fall, but it is not this day – it is not this hour – it is not this minute – and it is not this second.

For we, as citizens of this republic, through the sweat of our brow, and the courage of our conviction will garner every second – every minute – every hour – and every day, that we can derive.

For our race is not yet run. Our song is not yet sung and we – not the naysayers – will be the final arbiters of our story.

 

There once was a vision of a city upon a hill.

A few discerned it.

Some believed in it.

Many built it.

…Until at last, one day – that vision became a reality.

E Pluribus Unum

 

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