Thomas Paine Essay
The majority of Thomas Paine’s characterization of America, which he wrote in his book “The Rights of Man”, does not hold true today and is evident in our current politics and social ideals. The main points within this passage suggest that America is a country where many cultures, religions, and languages coexist. He suggests that our government, which was created "on the principles of society and the rights of man", is able to overcome the differences put in front of them by our diverse society. However, this can easily be disproved.
The existence of multiple cultures and religions in discord has been seen throughout this country's history. Paine acknowledges that "it would appear that the union of such a people was impracticable" and in a since, it is. While most people are able to coexist peacefully, it is clear that this is not always the case. After 9-11, Muslims became the target of racial and religious discrimination; not by the government, but by the people. However, if a government is to be considered "just", it has a duty to protect its citizens.
The image of a perfectly balanced country that Paine creates is drastically different from today’s reality. He wrote that in a country created like America, "the poor are not oppressed, the rich are not privileged". Contrary evidence in the past few years suggests otherwise. While no person was left completely unaffected by the recent economic recession, the wealthy are indeed continuing to live a "privileged" lifestyle. The poorer citizens are not oppressed by the government, but by the situation that the government refuses to remedy.
As seen through these events in our country’s history, America does not exist in complete "cordial union" as Thomas Paine suggests. What is important though, is that the contrasting ideas in this country are what encourage change. Our government, though never completely fair, was created to allow us freedom to change.
The existence of multiple cultures and religions in discord has been seen throughout this country's history. Paine acknowledges that "it would appear that the union of such a people was impracticable" and in a since, it is. While most people are able to coexist peacefully, it is clear that this is not always the case. After 9-11, Muslims became the target of racial and religious discrimination; not by the government, but by the people. However, if a government is to be considered "just", it has a duty to protect its citizens.
The image of a perfectly balanced country that Paine creates is drastically different from today’s reality. He wrote that in a country created like America, "the poor are not oppressed, the rich are not privileged". Contrary evidence in the past few years suggests otherwise. While no person was left completely unaffected by the recent economic recession, the wealthy are indeed continuing to live a "privileged" lifestyle. The poorer citizens are not oppressed by the government, but by the situation that the government refuses to remedy.
As seen through these events in our country’s history, America does not exist in complete "cordial union" as Thomas Paine suggests. What is important though, is that the contrasting ideas in this country are what encourage change. Our government, though never completely fair, was created to allow us freedom to change.