An American’s Creed
While searching for a Sunday meme, I came across a picture of a sign titled “The American’s Creed”, which reads as follows:
I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon—if I can. I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations, and to face the world boldly and say, “this, with God’s help, I have done”. All this is what it means to be an American.
– Dean Alfange
With able assistance from our personal Rogue, who is a Unicorn, the author of this wonderful creed was found.
He was Dean Alfange, born December 2, 1897, in what was then known as The Ottoman Empire to Greek parents. His parents moved to Utica, New York in 1902. There was not a political party he was not part of; American Labor, Democrat, Liberal, Republican. Although he was very much an activist, he is best known for writing what he simply called My Creed. Publication of the Creed was in This Week magazine in the early 1950s. I could find no information on what precipitated his writing of this Creed.
See also: Trading Post Blues
His statements are not in keeping with the current mindset of those currently “protesting”. In fact, he would find himself as one of the people the “cancel culture” placed on their list. The mere idea of seeking challenges rather than accepting government as his provider is abhorrent to many groups. Most assuredly, thinking for one’s self is verboten as is any hint of religion, unless it is the religion of anarchy.
Editor’s Note: While helping AuntiE to research the origin of this creed, I found several references to it in a variety of sources. As it is written on the sign, and reprinted here in its original form, the second to last line reads: “this, with God’s help, I have done”. Interestingly, in several of the places it was referenced, the text was censored (ahem) edited, to read: “this, I have done” Even this obscure essay has now been altered to conform to a revisionist/apologist’s ideal. (RU)