How the Denunciatory Ethic Replaces American Exceptionalism Part III

Jeremiah Wright

The noble motive of seeking the “greater good” seems to be at the heart of the denouncer’s philosophical approach. However, in the world view of Americans who embrace the "Denunciatory Ethic," (Reverend Jeremiah Wright) economic solutions to America’s problems cannot simply be confined to championing the causes of those who truly require a social safety net. Instead, the denouncer begins the viewpoint with openly advocating a divide of the country into two groups of citizens….. “haves and have-nots.” Included in the have-nots is everyone but the top 1% of income earners in the U.S.

John Wooden

    Denouncers routinely ignore the teaching of John Wooden who once asked, “Why is it so hard to realize that winners are usually the ones who work harder, work longer, and as a result, perform better?”

    Denouncers demand equal “results” not just equal opportunities. Their world view of haves and have-nots extends to nations. In the end, the earnings of a nation’s achievers or even nations themselves, are coveted and targeted for redistribution by denouncer’s.

    Denouncer’s only see America as “just” when the rate of government confiscation of private income is increased. And those that oppose the increased seizing of individual earnings and assets are universally denounced as “selfish” or racist now that President Obama is in the White House.

    Simplistic rationalizations of the denouncer’s approach are offered. Here again denouncers ignore the teachings of John Wooden, who once said, “Why can’t we realize that it only weakens those we want to help when we do things for them that they should do for themselves?” History is littered with the unintended consequences of the denouncer’s redistribution schemes. Denouncers adopt individuals that make poor life decisions and nations that make poor choices. Cast as “victims of society or victims of international bullies” Denouncers routinely blame America and America’s achievers for the troubles of all have-nots. There is considerable passion involved in their denigration of the more industrious members of society. Frequently denouncers categorize achievers efforts and accomplishments as undeserved ill-gotten gains. Their view is the greater good is best served when America’s achievers are typecast as successful because they are “greedy.”

Contrary to those that embrace the Denunciatory Ethic, most Americans continue to hold the basic belief that despite all its obvious flaws, America is a generous and worthy global citizen. Most Americans still want to live in a place where hard work and effort are fundamental virtues that pay off. It is the embracer of the Denunciation Ethic that views self-reliance as an inoperative cliché that should be traded for the European Union style of entitlement-driven public policy. Hence the denouncer is comfortable piling on while in the company of those who openly criticize America.

How the Denunciatory Ethic Replaces American Exceptionalism Part III