To Be An American

"I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon.

I seek opportunity to develop whatever talents God gave me---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 caculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and 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 an earthly master nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act 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,

quoted by Ezra Taft Benson, April 1968 Gen Conf.