Over the past few weeks I have seen numerous posts on Facebook, read articles from the newspaper, and watched commercials about "taking back America" or "Getting Back to American Values." I agree!  But, perhaps we need to ask these questions first:  1.) What, specifically, are American Values?  2.) What is America supposed to look like once we "take it back?"

Listing american values is probably the easiest to do as an individual but the most difficult to come to consensus around.  Just look at some of the social network posts to see the divisions with what some claim to be a "value."  Some feel we lost our values when we attack the God element in our governmental language.  For example, removing the term "under God" from the pledge of allegiance.  People make statements like "if one Nation under God was good enough for our forefathers it's good enough for us today."  This statement is indicative of the ignorance of our citizens.  The pledge of allegiance was not written until the 1890's and mention of the flag was not included until 1926.  One nation under God was added in 1954 during the Eisenhower administration solely as a propaganda tool against the growth of communism.  So, this symbol that people regard so highly has undergone many changes over the last century, mostly to suit political needs, but that is not a value.  

Perhaps the rights and values we need to consider are the dignity of the Human person.  The right to work with a livable wage, not minimum wage, to provide for one's needs and the needs of family.  The right to live my own lifestyle without fear of hate and violence from government, religious institutions or other groups. The right to worship the God of my heritage and choice, or no God for that matter.

If we begin with human dignity and get rid of all of the diversions which are made to keep us off track, we might have a chance as a nation.  No special interest, or symbol, can ever be as important as another human being.