An open letter from a young American…
Mr. Aley of Youngstown is Publications Director of Ohio Young Americans for Freedom.
I am your son; but you do not know me (except as 290-54- 0981). I am a man, now. I am a man able to see with my own eyes what in my heart I believe is good, and what I fear is evil.
I am proud to be a part of you. I thank God every day that the accident of birth made me one of your sons. But because of my love for you, I am afraid.
I am morbidly afraid that the corruption of greed and ignorance will destroy all that you and I stand for.
As long as I can remember, you impressed upon me the blessings of property rights; but now there are others who decide how much of what I earn is mine, and how much is theirs, even before I see it. Not that I don’t want to share. They won’t let me! They say they "share" it for me — thus denying me the self-respect one feels in helping another on his own. My good will is made mandatory. They tell me it is my obligation to let them give of me, to the "deserving."
Time and again you told me that to strive for perfection is the ultimate goal. You encouraged me always to reach higher; yet, when I aspire, I am shunned. I attempt my best, and the labels I receive are "reactionary" and "establishment." I am admonished to under produce, lest others’ lack of initiative become apparent. I lose more than I gain when I work extra hours which force me into a "higher bracket."
Time and again you have told me that I must have pride in my work; but many of my fellow men find it less profitable to work than to be idle.
Your schools have attempted to teach me that "self" is unimportant and wrong; that the good of the "people" is the highest priority; that there are no absolutes, and therefore no real ownership; and that "equality" alone remains.
Time and again you told me that a law is a law — the same for everyone. One breaks the law, one goes to jail. If one feels the law to be unjust, one tries to change it within the system, and by doing so, demonstrates one’s faith in it. Yet, only yesterday, men broke the law and ran away, shouting such epithets as "fascist state," and "imperialistic," and branding me "nationalistic" and idealistic. Today, they call you "home," and me "brother." They want to come back as if nothing had happened. They tell me this is their "right."
Other nations have damned us, threatened us, and fought us. Their basic creed included, and still entails, the ideal of a world dominated by communism, resulting in the destruction of democracy. Yet, we are becoming increasingly open to these countries. While communist guns are killing men who are defending their democratic nations, our leaders are socializing and trying to buy their friendship.
Please do not misunderstand. I am not condemning you. I would remain silent if I did not care. I love you, America. You and I must become the best we possibly can. I do not want us to be tramped on, lied to, and squeezed dry by lazy, greedy nondoers who claim it is our obligation to stagnate at their inferior levels.
God bless you, America. Be never less than the Land of the Free; the land of promise and opportunity; not a deserted island of mediocrity.
Let me be the best man I can. Let me produce to my limit, for my benefit, and in turn for yours.
I am a man, now. I see the evil and the good. I see both the deadly shadow of "social obligation" and the brilliant hope of individual freedom; and in turn the promise of moral responsibility.
I am an American, today, tomorrow, and forever. Your son,
Howard D. Aley
#290-54-0981