The only Americans who 'suck' are the lazy ones!

Standing Tall in a Sea of Mediocrity: The Case for American Grit and Determination

Last night on my Flakebook feed, I posted the following quote from a recent article by Matt Taibbi, who crafted an excellent discourse on…

Why freedom of speech isn't just a legal right, but a way of life!

The quote was….

Saying no is very American. From “Don’t Tread on Me!” to “Nuts” to “You Cannot Be Serious!” defiance is in our DNA.

The problem is, as a longtime friend from Virginia pointed out, most people don’t know the reference to the “Nuts” part. I told Michael we should just let anyone on the thread…. spend their own energy and time to figure it out!

But, alas, we’re on Substack now. You’re part of my community here. You’re a cherished Bear-loving reader. Here, I’m going to tell you the reference — then ingratiate you to read some of my own thoughts, which acentuate part of Matt Taibbi’s discourse about American grit, determination and defiance.

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FIRST UP: The "nuts" reference in the top pull quote

It relates to a famous moment during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. When surrounded by German forces, American Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe responded to a surrender demand with a single word: "Nuts!"

This defiant reply became emblematic of American resilience and attitude, showcasing a refusal to yield under pressure!

SECONDLY: The Original American Badass, Thomas Paine

In Matt’s discourse / article, he referenced how the core message in Paine’s pamphlet, Common Sense, was that “the humblest farmer was a towering moral giant compared to the invertebrate scum who wore crowns and lived in British castles.”

But Paine wasn’t just a writer; he was a literary flamethrower who lit the fuse of the American Revolution. Paine's Common Sense wasn't some dusty political treatise. It was a kick in the pants to every colonist who was still on the fence about telling King George to take a hike. In plain, no-bullshit language, Paine laid out why monarchy was a joke and independence was the only way forward.

Here's the kicker: Paine told us to stand up straight and never bow, especially not to some powdered-wig politician. He wrote, "Men who look upon themselves as born to reign, and others to obey... are frequently the most ignorant and unfit of any throughout the dominions." Sound familiar? It's like he was looking into a crystal ball and seeing today's so-called elites.

Paine didn't just criticize; he offered a vision. He said, "We have it in our power to begin the world over again." That's the kind of big-thinking, take-no-prisoners attitude that made America great in the first place.

And let's talk numbers. Common Sense sold 120,000 copies in just three months. In a country of only 3 million people, that's like going triple platinum today. It wasn't just bestselling; it was mind-changing on a massive scale.

Paine understood something crucial: Government should fear the people, not the other way around. He called government a "necessary evil" — necessary to keep our worst impulses in check, but evil because it always tries to overstep its bounds.

NEXT: We're Not Some Kumbaya Democracy

Many of today’s traditionally-educated academic youth and young adult graduates have been fed a steady diet of "democracy this" and "democracy that" since they first stepped foot on that ivy-covered campus.

But here's the cold, hard truth: America isn't a democracy. We're a constitutional republic. And there's a damn good reason for that. Our founding fathers weren't just a bunch of powdered-wig wearing aristocrats. They were political geniuses who understood the dangers of pure democracy.

They knew that in a straight-up democracy, 51% of the people could vote to take away the rights of the other 49%. It's mob rule with a fancy name. That's why they gave us a constitutional republic. It's like democracy with guardrails.

We elect representatives, sure, but they're bound by the Constitution. That sacred document isn't just a piece of paper — it's the ultimate check on government power.

Now, here's where it gets juicy: These days, you've got a bunch of elites crying about how "democracy is under attack" and how they need more power to "protect" it. Bullshit. What they're really saying is, "We don't like that we can't always get our way, so we want to change the rules.”

Remember what Benjamin Franklin said when asked what kind of government they'd given us? "A republic, if you can keep it." He didn't say, "A democracy, if the elites can save it."

The whole point of our system is that it doesn't need "saving" by some self-appointed guardians of democracy. It needs citizens who understand their rights, who are willing to stand up for them, and who tell overreaching politicians to take a hike.

So next time some talking head on TV starts waxing poetic about "saving our democracy," remember this: They're either ignorant of how our system actually works, or they're trying to pull a fast one on you. Either way, they're full of shit!

Our job isn't to "save democracy." It's to preserve the republic, to keep the government in check, and to jealously guard our individual liberties.

That's what Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and all those other troublemakers fought for. Don't let some ivory tower Marxist or slick politician convince you otherwise. They're selling snake oil, and the price is your freedom.

LASTLY: A Call to Action

Remember, folks, this isn't about left vs. right anymore. It's about freedom vs. control. It's about preserving the very essence of what makes America great — our ability to think for ourselves, to question authority, and to tell anyone who tries to shut us up to take a long walk off a short pier.

So, here's my challenge to you: Get off your ass and do something. Anything. Plant a garden. Start a business. Run for local office. Hell, just have a real conversation with your neighbor without checking your phone every five seconds.

Because at the end of the day, the only Americans who truly "suck" are the ones who've given up. The ones who've traded their birthright of freedom for a false sense of security (as Australia did) and a steady stream of mindless entertainment.

Don't be that guy or gal. Be the American who makes the founding fathers proud. Be the thorn in the side of every wannabe tyrant. Be the voice that refuses to be silenced.

Because if we don't fight for our freedom of thought now, we might wake up one day to find we don't have any thoughts left to fight for.

So, what's it gonna be, America?

Are you gonna suck, or are you gonna soar?