In today’s globalized world, it is difficult to imagine a nation that avoids international conflict, enforces strict border security, and maintains rigorous limits on government power. However, these were some of the very ideas upon which the United States was built, revealing a stark contrast to the politics and practices of America in the twenty-first century. Figures such as Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams laid the intellectual and philosophical groundwork for the nation. In the mid-to-late-1700s, when the Founding Fathers were forming the fundamental laws and principles that would define the direction of the United States, their decisions were influenced by the experience of breaking away from England. By examining the contrast between the ideals of the Founding Fathers and the realities of the times in which we live, it becomes quite clear that the original visions of non-intervention, secure borders, and limited government have been profoundly altered, with significant implications for the nation’s identity and its role in the world.
In Thomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address in 1801, he proposed the concept of having “Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations – [but] entangling alliances with none.” Jefferson knew that war was unpredictable, and that alliances could easily be broken. Contrary to Jefferson’s advice, however, America has embraced a globalist approach to diplomacy. In addition to having military bases worldwide, we are also a member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), a pact made between 31 countries, where if one country is attacked, the others will step in to provide aid. While providing at least a sense of collective security, this alliance complicates America’s ability to maintain independence, tying its fate to the actions of thirty other member states. America’s involvement in foreign wars, such as the Vietnam War and the War on Terror (Iraq and Afghanistan), has been costly in both dollars and lives. The resources involved in continuing these conflicts would have been better used in America. Jefferson’s idea of having no “entangling alliances” was not just a passing comment. It was advice for the future American people, warning us to avoid involving ourselves in foreign conflicts.
Another problem that accompanies globalization is mass migration. America was founded upon Christian values, and the increasing number of immigrants who do not share those values is alarming. The issue is not with those who are fleeing religious persecution or individuals seeking a better life in America. The problem arises with those who seek to impose their culture and refuse to assimilate. These individuals are also more likely to come to America illegally, making their first act in our country a serious crime. Allowing this type of unfettered access to all that makes our country great is not a sustainable practice. Benjamin Franklin himself believed those who did not wish to adopt American ways and customs should not be allowed into the country. It may seem harsh, but the idea has merit. The compassionate motivation to help others has led many to support relaxed border policy and in some cases, complete disregard to the law. However, without knowing who is coming into our country, we cannot effectively protect our current citizens. Some who enter our country have opposing values to the Judeo-Christian worldview that America was based upon. For the same reason we lock the doors to our homes, our border should remain secure. On our national coins, there is a Latin phrase: E pluribus unum, which means, “Out of many, one”. The idea that is being communicated here is that the people of America must agree on a shared culture in order to have a thriving society.
Just as unregulated borders threaten our national sovereignty, a government that encroaches on the Constitutional rights of its citizens undermines the liberty given to us by God, which the Founding Fathers recognized and respected. King George III was a tyrannical ruler who imposed taxes on everyday items, attempted to disarm the Colonists, and expected total compliance. There was no representation for the American people in Parliament. This led the Americans to take up a rallying cry of rebellion; “No taxation without representation”. After America finally separated from the British, the Founding Fathers took it upon themselves to ensure that the corruption overtaking England’s government would never touch America’s. In A defence of the constitutions of government of the United States of America, John Adams wrote: “The legislative branch [of government] is the most direct representation of the people’s will, and it is essential for it to have the authority to check the powers of the executive and judicial branches.” Adams emphasized that preventing governmental corruption required robust legislative oversight, ensuring the common people’s will was represented in governance. However, the latest trends toward authoritarianism have weakened this balanced system, giving the presidency an increasingly unrestricted power that resembles the monarchical rule the Founders endeavored to avoid.
The Founding Fathers’ vision of a non-interventionist foreign policy, secure borders, and limited government was not just a product of their time, but a blueprint for enduring national stability. However, many of these principles have been cast aside for a globalist agenda. While some current ideas, such as aiding our allies and welcoming everyone into our country may be well-meaning, their application could be detrimental to our country. We must place trust in the people leading our country, but more than politicians or presidents, we should ultimately place our trust in God. Isaiah 40:23 says, “He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing” (Holy Bible, New International Version, 2004). This verse illustrates the steadfastness of God compared to the human rulers on Earth. We should vote wisely for political candidates, but we should also pray that they will take on a Biblical worldview of politics, just as the Founding Fathers did when they established the laws and principles that were to direct our nation toward a prosperous future. By exercising prudence in foreign affairs, securing our borders, and maintaining a government checked by the Constitution, we honor the Founders’ legacy and safeguard the future of the United States of America.
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