by MBethany » Wed Mar 21, 2012 4:42 pm
Dear Mark Levin,
Thank you for Ameritopia. Such compliments as “much needed” and “timely” are the natural epithets. But I would rather define it as a lifesaving antidote against the poison that Richard B. Bernstein and his numerous followers are injecting into the nation’s system.
Bernstein made “Amending America” his goal. I refer here especially to his cleverly subversive book, published in 2009, THE FOUNDING FATHERS RECONSIDERED. Unfortunately, the main message of the work is that the Constitution is a “living document.” But this does not mean that the Constitution is acceptable in our times, with reasonable modification, but rather that the original spirit of the Law is flawed and subject to constant tousling and revising, mainly because of the imperfect character of the Founding Fathers! Moreover, Bernstein wrote, the Constitution was not the product of “Platonic philosopher kings.” It was an experiment created more or less haphazardly, after many arguments and compromises, as necessity dictated. Its creators had no idea that posterity would name them “Founding Fathers,” and they were not aware that they were laying the permanent foundation of a new nation. Although you do not mention this deliberately misleading work, I consider Ameritopia its antithesis.
Thank God that the Founding Fathers were not Philosopher Kings, because they set up a government in defense of individual liberty, a concept altogether alien to the oppressive social philosophy of Plato. Individual liberty requires, first of all, the freedom of conscience, safe from the manipulation of the government. When you talk about “the power to dehumanize the individual and delegitimize his nature,” what do you mean? I perceive that, in the deepest sense, this means the power of smothering the individual’s God-guided conscience by the coercive arm of the State. Man is capable of “self-government" because of his God given gift of policing himself. We are able to tell the difference between right and wrong because we are listening to the “still small voice” of God. This “inner government” is the reason that “rugged individualism” does not lead to anarchy.
Bernstein points out that the original framers of the Constitution were the “usual cadre of elite white males.” This is true. But is this detrimental? Instead, we must realize that it is nothing short of miraculous that a group of nobles in the position of wealth and power voluntarily gave up their privileges to benefit the common people, not only in this country but, by example, in the whole world! It is, indeed, miraculous that George Washington, a victorious nobleman, refused kingship when it was offered to him. On the other hand, Napoleon, a commoner, could not wait to crown himself Emperor, Roman style. What made the difference? Washington did not betray the Revolution because he knew that God was watching, but Napoleon did not believe this; therefore, he had no scruples.
The Founding Fathers initiated the only legal government, the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. This is what the heirs of Plato, the so called “intellectual elite,” cannot bear. They fancy themselves Philosopher Kings. This is why they are trying to change the Constitution and are poised to discredit the Bible at the same time.
Thank you again for Ameritopia. By and large, the American people are not aware of what is happening to them, but I believe, as the Framers did, that the thirst for freedom is instinctual. All we need is the propagation of truth. I have been waiting for decades for someone to come along to point out that the deadly cancer of Plato’s political views are vile and virulent, and are destroying freedom in America; and in fact, not only here, but they prevent the birth of freedom all over the world.
Sincerely yours,
Maria Bethany