I think that many of the social problems that the United States experiences today extend from a sense of ambiguity of what it means to be an American. Does this ambiguity come from an enlightened sense of humanity, or a worldview separated or disdainful of history, fact, and meaningful experience? Removed from the Constitution and law there are few guidelines as to what it means to be an American as, for the most part, these tools merely set the parameters for one's baseline entitlements afforded by the state, and how one may not behave without consequence. I think that the intended audience of American freedom requires a certain quality of self sufficiency which has somehow been lost for a variety of reasons over the years. This sense of American ambiguity is very evident when you look at popular culture and the increasing number of people who pointlessly seek freedom by means of a government with more responsibility and power versus individual responsibility and enterprise. When it comes down to it, I think that many people who live in the United States, regardless of demographics, are not Americans and do not want to be Americans. They just happen to be born here. So, what do you think it means to be American?
