An American Citizen’s Creed, June 21, 2017

A couple days ago, a friend recalled the winner among 3000 contest entries to propose a National Creed and expressed concern that it seems to focus on a government. He read it to me, and I imagined a mimic, which follows.

An American Citizen’s Creed, June 21, 2017

"I commit-to and trust-in citizens who collaborate for civic justice as proposed in the preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America; a citizen’s Republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States, each governed by willing citizens; an authentic Union, both whole and understanding; established upon those principles of personal autonomy and collaborative association for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I appreciate responsible citizens and the happiness each perceives during each decade of their life; expect the constitution for the USA to ultimately fulfill the 1787 preamble; obey the laws; respect the flag, and defend citizens against all enemies."

Readers are invited to improve the above mimic or suggest improvements to commemorate June 21, Personal Independence Day. It commemorates the 1788 ratification of the draft constitution by nine states. The 1918 winning creed, is copied below.

The American’s Creed, 1918

"I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a Republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my Country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies."

William Tyler Page, author and contest award recipient April 3, 1918

http://www.usflag.org/american.creed.html .
 
Revised 3/15/2014

 

Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.