A Summary Definition of Americans

Letter to President Biden

“…there is nothing special about being an American. None of you can define for me what an American is.” - VP Joe Biden Harvard 2014

Dear Mr. President,

We write to address our deep concern for your fundamental lack of understanding on the essence of being an American, and your belief that no one can aptly define what constitutes an American. As veterans, we find this notion quite perplexing, considering that you have spent more than 90% of your adult life in service to a people you can not define. Allow us, Mr. President, to refresh your fragile mind of what it truly means to be an American.

The Great Proposition:

Unlike most nations, which emerged from the obscure depths of tribalistic history, America sprang forth from The Great Proposition. Our Great Proposition possesses an indomitable strength, so potent that knowledge of it swiftly traversed the globe in the 1700s. Our proposition, embraced by our forefathers and countless others since, sparked revolutions as people yearned to reclaim the inherent rights bestowed upon them by God and God’s nature.

In the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, The Great Proposition compelled people to leave their homelands—places where their destinies, achievements, and personal aspirations were determined solely by arbitrary hereditary chance, not choice. This is the predominant narrative of our people: courageous individuals embarking on journeys far from their families, seeking a future that offered a glimmer of hope. America has and continues to provide the opportunity for more people to control their own destinies—a notion unparalleled at our founding and still rare in today's world. 

Government Are A Necessary Evil:

"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself." – Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 51

Our nation's foundation rests on the understanding that government is a necessary evil, not the “the solution.” Placing undue reliance on government for one’s security and happiness only leads us to succumb to a reorganized monarchy.

It is widely acknowledged that republics and democracies, driven by the insatiable thirst for power among politicians, can trample upon the rights of individuals as easily as any king. Thus, government has never been nor shall ever be the panacea or the means by which the pursuit of happiness is attained.

Americans, true to their nature, reject the notion of accepting their fate as dictated by a governing elite. They firmly believe that they can chart their own course and achieve far more without the heavy hand of inept politicians, who prioritize personal gain over the welfare of a free people. Americans understand that carving their own path entails a struggle and the possibility of failure, yet they embrace this reality because they know that the mere opportunity to succeed outweighs the alternative of a government paving their way while encumbering them with shackles.

Willingness to Risk it All:

"We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." – Declaration of Independence

Our land was forged by a people of unparalleled courage who dared to venture across oceans in pursuit of a new beginning, with a burning desire to cast off the chains imposed upon them by the European political class—a class that still wields influence to this day. Our founders were prepared to lay down their lives in the quest for a form of government of the people by the people. Our soldiers have shed their blood on distant battlefields and within the very heart of our nation.

Americans, by definition, are those who have been willing to risk their lives in order to carve out a better world, all to secure a greater degree of agency over their own lives. In the souls of Americans, freedom burns with an eternal flame, driving them to traverse great distances in search of the tranquility that only freedom can bestow upon the human spirit.

Belief in American Exceptionalism:

Despite attempts by certain factions to downplay America's history and standing within the world, Americans possess an unwavering belief in the exceptionalism of our nation. From the immigrant taxi driver to the first-generation child to the hidden stowaway, all comprehend the exceptional nature of America, despite the challenges that accompany living in a society where individuals bear sole responsibility for their own outcomes. They perpetually extol the virtues of their newfound home. Only those who possess an inadequate knowledge of history and those driven by self-interest would dare to deny that America, on a relative basis, has remained the best nation in the world since its founding.

In a deplorable attempt to gain power, your party has shamefully robbed millions of our citizens of hope by fixating on the past and perpetuating fallacies that attribute their present circumstances solely to racism or sexism. While we acknowledge the presence of individuals espousing abhorrent beliefs, it is tyrannical to assert that such reprehensible views prevail to the extent that some would claim. Such assertions are baseless and serve only as a means for power-hungry individuals to grasp at the reins of power.

Mr. President, true American leaders possess the wisdom to recognize when it is time to relinquish power, paving the way for a new generation to shoulder the responsibilities of governance. It has become evident, even to those who view your leadership through a charitable lens, that the passage of time has affected your mental capabilities at an alarming rate. The annals of history will remember your generation as one riddled with corruption and incompetence, one that plunged our republic into unprecedented debt, enacted policies reminiscent of tyrants, violated the very fabric of our Constitution, and enriched yourselves while leaving the people to bear the burdens of your actions.

Your generation has demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice our republic for personal gain. The time has come, Mr. President, for you and your contemporaries to retire. Perhaps you might find inspiration in the actions of our founders, as exemplified by President Washington's voluntary relinquishment of power, and follow suit. Our republic does not belong to any one individual or generation, but rather to the collective will and enduring spirit of the American people. We hope you now better understand what an American is and will realize that an 80 year old man has no right to lead a free people.

Regards,

Defenders of Liberty