Removing the Phrase In God We Trust - Essay Example

The Removal of the Phrase “In God We Trust” The phrase “In God We Trust” is as familiar to any American as the American flag or the statue of Liberty. This now household phrase which is printed on our currency, is facing possible removal from said currency. The reason for removing this phrase from the dollar bill is attributed to the Constitutional declaration of separation of church and state. Many feel that Congress has overstepped its bounds by permitting the use of the phrase on U.S. currency and have therefore, demanded its removal. This tug of war actually dates back to the time of 1864, when it was suggested that the currency of the United States, should in some way acknowledge ‘divine sovereignty’. (MSNBC, 2005). This was so done on a two cent piece. It was however, not until almost a century later that the words “In God We Trust” appeared on U.S. currency as they do today, “In 1955, the year after Congress inserted the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, Congress required all currency to carry the motto “In God We Trust.”(MSNBC, 2005). Separation of church and state has been a truly difficult feat from the issue of same sex marriage to the inclusion of references to god in the pledge of allegiance both in schools and during public events. The imposition felt by many is not so different from the early settlers who were puritanical in nature and imposed a rigid set of moral and religious codes for everyone, including the Native Americans who were imposed on by them, to follow. This even led to the fateful Salem witch trials when women who were thought to be witches were 1 2 burned alive for violating Biblical principles. Separation of church and state 2 allows for an element of protection from events such as the witch trials and the crusades of the early church. On the other hand, this congressional action of implementing the phrase “In God We Trust” on our currency, was done on the basis of the very principles upon which this country was founded. Although times have changed, making religion or belief in God, less and less of an openly discussed topic; the reversal of basic principles which are meant to remind every American where they came from and how this country was founded, is nothing shy of deconstructive. The pledge of allegiance which includes the phrase “one nation, under God” has become an oath which all Americans have taken at one time or another, and though America is a cultural melting pot, we are all united under fundamental ideas of freedom, liberty and unity ‘under God’. By dissecting the very basis of this ideology which we have all grown up embracing, we dissolve not only a tradition but a sense of basic accountability to stand together as a Nation under ‘God’, regardless of what each individual’s idea of God may be. This is equally true of the nature of our currency and its reminder to us, each time we pay for food or gas, that there is still a commitment which each American has, to uphold the spirit of unity in which this country was started. The concept of ‘God’ in both the pledge of allegiance and the dollar bill is vague enough to allow each individual to interpret what they may, of what their concept of ‘God” is. It is not as though by spending money or taking the pledge of 2 allegiance, requires any one to adopt or advocate a specific religion or theology. If anything, the rhetoric used in reference to God, really allows for the extrapolation of nothing more than an idea that we as a nation stand together when necessary, and acknowledge the idea of ‘God’. For some, this may be observed in Catholicism, for others, Jewish God and for still others, perhaps it can be interpreted as Allah or Buddha. Ultimately, there is no infringement on anyone’s personal beliefs at all, but rather a simple acknowledgement that there is a ‘we’ and that is ‘we as a nation’. Certainly, there are those who abandon all belief in God and are thus called atheists. Luckily, we live in a country where one is free to observe or not observe any religion that one chooses. This is in fact, more than anything else, the fundamental element that would be removed if the phrase “In God We Trust” was removed from our currency. The fact that our currency says what it does in the manner that it does, is a reflection of American freedom and ability to choose one’s religious ideology and practice. Removal of the phrase would in essence, be an infringement to the majority of Americans who observe God in one way or anther just as it would figuratively erase the work and efforts of our founding fathers in a most disrespectful way. America is rich with choice and possibility. The fact that our currency suggests that we trust in God, while some may utilize this currency and openly choose not to acknowledge a deity, is proof that we are a nation of the free and the diverse. Removing such a reminder of our history, is not so unlike burning 3 our flag or refusing to pledge allegiance. It is not a matter of requirement where one is required to do one thing or another by force, but is a matter of if one is enjoying the liberties and freedoms of America, than a certain amount of respect for her history must be respected. The same right which affords those who wish to remove the phrase “In God We Trust” from the dollar bill, is the same right and liberty which these individuals are disregarding, even as they take advantage of them. It is true that each person is entitled to their own religious views and practices, but with that, comes the responsibility of each one of us acknowledging that while we have a right to out beliefs, so do others. Removing the phrase “In God We Trust” is not going to make anyone believe less in God or make anyone who does not believe in God, suddenly convert. It comes down to a spirit of tolerance as well as a reverence, if not for God, than for America. Work Cited: MSNBC, (2005) “Atheist challenges ‘In God We Trust’”, retrieved from website at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103424/ Time Magazine, “A.A.A.A”, retrieved from website at: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,846754,00.html?iid=chi x-sphere The Early Retirement Ages Should Be Raised For Social Security Most cultures can be judged based on how they care for their elderly. As of now, the retirement age remains 65. For many Americans, this is a time to collect social security, something which we all pay into throughout our working lives. By age 65, we look to the government which we have financially supported, to return the favor by supplying us with an essential living allowance, though our golden years. While it is true that this may be eventually unavailable due to economic crisis and depletion, it is a benefit of being a life-long tax payer and contributor to the economic pot of the Federal Government. Raising the age of eligibility will most likely cause many Americans to work long past the point at which their health feasibly allows. This will result in decreased productivity and an eventual economic loss because of it. Many Americans will not have a choice but to go on working, until such time that they are actually able to legitimately retire and collect social security. A worsening economy has led to many Americans not being able to put money away for their retirement. These same individuals are relying heavily on the promise of the collection of social security at age 65. If this is no longer available to them, they will have no choice but to continue to work, regardless of ailing bodies, until the age of social security eligibility is met. As a nation, caring for and respecting our elderly, is a quality that we not only hope to practice but also hope to instill in generations to come. Abandoning the elderly in a sense, but forcing them to work long into their old age, will only send a message of greed and one without compassion. 1 2 In this, a major election year, a debate over whether or not to raise the age of retirement has been the center of much debate, “ The debate over Social Security has emerged as a key election-year issue, as the presidential candidates offer proposals for reforming the system or enhancing retirement security”(Weller, 2008). Presidential candidate Barack Obama is in favor of allowing the age of retirement to stay the same in order to essentially ‘strengthen’ the economy. (The Associated Press, 2008). Senator John McCain has suggested not increasing taxes as a possible alternative to the situation. In the end, either a decision to raise the retirement age or a decision to leave it as is, will have repercussions economically and socially with respect to senior citizens. From an economic standpoint, the raising of the age of retirement will draw less government funds and will allow for those funds to work productively in other urgent arenas. In a time of economic hardship for most Americans, the greater availability of funds towards other national issues such as healthcare and welfare, will only serve to serve the greater good. It is also important to remember that we are still in a major oil crisis, with the gas prices rising steadily, almost daily, many young Americans are finding themselves in greater need of government assistance. At this time, the economic crisis is on a rapid decline and though recognizing the care and assistance of seniors is important, the perspective of seeking the best decision for the greater good of the nation as a whole is of the 3 utmost importance. This is not a time to be overly concerned with specific groups who may or may not be offended at the outcome of difficult decision. In the case of seniors with ailing health preventing them from working, social security can still be available. In the case however, of seniors who are in a condition where working is not a health risk however, the age to simply retire in order to enjoy one’s golden years must be raised. This decision is one that approaches the situation from all angles with regard for the greater good of all Americans. In closing, we are on the horizon of multiple national threats such as continues international unrest, a major oil crisis and a rise in unemployment. The clear and present need is to approach all national decisions from a very financially conservative angle and one that seeks the best interests of Americans represented by all age brackets. Works Cited: Associated Press, (2008) “Raise retirement age to save Social Security?”, Nation/World, retrieved from website at: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080801/NEWS01/8 0801029 Brandon, Emily, (2008) “Raising the retirement age”, U.S. News, retrieved from website at: http://www.usnews.com/blogs/planning-to- retire/2008/8/5/raising-the-retirement-age.html Thottam, Jyoti, (2005) “Are their Other Ways to Fix it?”, Time Magazine, retrieved from website at: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1018055,00.html Weller, Christian E., (2008) “Raising the Retirement Age The wrong direction for Social Security”, Economic Policy Institute, retrieved from website at: http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/briefingpapers_raisingretirement_raisingret irement Read More