This article first appeared in the St.Louis Beacon, Oct. 22, 2012 - Election Day 2012 is just a week away. Throughout the campaign season, we've been hearing lots of talk from candidates about what their policies and political parties can do to keep America great.
The Beacon posed the question to the public, and asked folks to describe, in six words, just what makes a nation great.
Through our Public Insight Network, we received many thoughtful responses. Not everyone stuck to the precise "six word" rule, but they worked hard to summarize their ideas concisely, and then went on to share more about how they made their conclusions.
Here is what they told us:
Bart Baker, 53, Ellisville
Six words: Liberty, diversity and individualism working together.
Why those six words? "What makes a nation great is when uniqueness is celebrated, when people share the same freedoms. It is the joining of individuals — each unique — who link together, that creates strength, respect and opportunity in a nation."
What does American progress look like for you or your community? "American progess is slow. When the word 'evolution' has become synonymous with the left, and God has become synonymous with the right, there's a problem. Because with God, there is evolution. And God does not belong to conservatism but to progression. And evolution does not belong to liberalism but to growth as a nation. We have lost that. And the fights have gotten polarizing. The good news: the pendulum often swings out before it swings back. And America has always progressed. If for no other reason than generationally, people change. Their needs change, their fears change, their hopes change. They become more enlightened. And the dream of America, a land where all have opportunity and liberty, is often a dream that has to be fought for, because those who have benefitted from those very opportunities and liberties are sometimes hard pressed to allow others to have them."
How well do your six words align with where the nation is now? "Very well if politics and religion were separated from them. But sadly, there are too many people using religion to squelch diversity, liberty and individualism. And religion has grossly seeped into our politics, which has become about the loudest, more ridiculous person getting the most attention. But on a grassroots level, on a neighborhood level, person-to-person level, I believe they work much better."
Which candidates in the November elections come closest to connecting with the principles matter most to you? "I like [Libertarian presidential candidate] Gary Johnson and Barack Obama. I will vote for one or the other for president. I think Claire McCaskill has done an admirable job in the Senate and is a moderate progressive.
"Look, we all have issues, even with the people we support. But I prefer people who aren't exclusionary, who don't use religion as a weapon or make it the focus of their politics because their God often seem pretty antithetical to the one I believe in."
Robyn Hamlin, 53, St. Louis
Six words: "Just following our Constitution as written."
Why those six words? "We have allowed our Congress to stray from the original intent of our U.S. Constitution, which is what made us the greatest country in the world. We have made the necessary amendments to it."
What does American progress look like for you or for your community? "Certainly not progressing to a democratic, socialist society. We need to stay a republic where each state has input at the federal level and each person has rights, not just the particular party in power."
How well do your six words align with where the nation is now? "Time will tell. We are at a crossroads. Do we continue to go down the path of democratic socialism (that has failed in every other country that has tried it), or do we require that our government follow the rules of our Constitution?"
[Editor's note: Robyn Hamlin is the Republican candidate for U.S. representative in Missouri’s 1st congressional district; she running against U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay, a Democrat; and Robb E. Cunningham, a Libertarian.]
Linda Jamerson, 50, St. Louis
Six words: "Democracy, diversity, inclusion and freedom."
Why those six words? "I appreciate and totally honor being able to have a voice in a country of so many cultures (with) the ability to connect with whomever they want and the freedom to move about the space to make it all happen."
What does American progress look like for you or your community? "Making the impossible possible, with everyone participating."
How well do your six words align with where the nation is now? "In so many ways we're there, but like anything else, there's always room for improvement and definitely work to be done. Isn't that the way life is?"
Which candidates in the November elections come closest to connecting with the principles matter most to you? "Those [who] can cross party lines and truly be sincere in working together for America and everyone in it. This includes state, local and national officials."
Anything else? "We really should think about whether or not there's a need for political parties in this country because they create further division. Historically, we've had two. Now we have many more, but only two still being represented mainstream. I would love to see further discussion on this topic."
Wayne Johnson, 44, St. Louis
Six words: "We're all in this thing together."
Why those six words? "As a father with a child with a disability, I believe a great society understands that its greatness comes from providing the opportunity for everyone to live up to their fullest potential. Whatever disability, ethnicity or station in life, the country prospers when all can contribute."
What does American progress look like for you, and for your community? "Nationally, for me, progress looks like the Affordable Care Act, where people can receive health care without being turned away for their pre-existing conditions. Locally, I see many improvements to public buildings and infrastructure for disabled access allowing everyone to participate in life."
How well do your six words align with where the nation is now? "Other industrialized nations have traditionally been closer to this ideal for some time. I do believe we are moving closer, but unfortunately, there is still a prevailing idea that we always do it better in this country, disregarding the good ideas elsewhere."
Which candidates in the November elections come closest to connecting with the principles matter most to you? "I think the Obama administration has us on the right track. Missouri, in particular, needs a state government that will move the state forward toward opportunities for all rather than pandering to the ultra-conservative/anti-progress types. Jay Nixon would be the better candidate for this."
Kami Narayan, 27, Manchester
Six words: "It lets you say it's not."
Why those six words? "To me, America is a great country because it is truly free. Freedom of speech and thought is a great intellectual tradition that has found a stronghold in this great country. The true beauty of this tradition is nearly scientific: The best will win in the marketplace of ideas. My country does not need to subdue the thought or speech of those with whom we disagree. It also does not subdue the speech of those who outright oppose it or its policies, whether they are foreigners or Americans. We are a nation founded on protest, and protest is still patriotic."
What does American progress look like for you or your community? "To regain our image abroad as a beacon of hope, opportunity and integrity; to regain our image at home as a land of hard work, innovation and ingenuity."
How well do your six words align with where the nation is now? "Still very well; although I fear that freedom [is] being threatened in many ways by people all too willing to sacrifice it for illusory security or pandering political correctness."
Which candidates in the November elections come closest to connecting with the principles matter most to you? "Gary Johnson, 100 percent. He values freedom, small government, reduced and balanced budget, foreign non-interventionism, and individual responsibility."
Don Puckett, 63, Ballwin
Six words: "Inspired leaders — motivated citizenry — shared vision."
How well do your six words align with where the nation is now ? "Inspired leaders, C; Motivated citizenry, C; Shared vision, D."
Which candidates in the November elections come closest to connecting with the principles matter most to you? "Obama — authenticity; others — total lack of authentic communication. Who knows?"
Bill Reichert, 68, Maryland Heights
Six words: "Compassion, innovation, morality, work ethic."
Why those six? "Compassion for those who fall through the cracks, innovation for new industries, morality so that we CAN trust those who say, 'Trust ME!', work ethic of a good day's work for fair pay."
What does American progress look like for you or your community? "We are still on the brink of GD II, Great Depression Two."
How well do your six words align with where the nation is now? "I think the vast majority of us are moral, but we need stiffer punishments for those who steal and cheat their way into great wealth. Who causes the greatest damage to society? Someone from a gang [who] kills another person, or someone who steals and cheats his way to millions of dollars and doesn't really produce any benefit to society? Most gang members are the product of hopelessness. The second is just greedy and selfish and could care less about the rest of the people."
Dominic Soda, 75, University City
Six words: "One that cares about all residents."
Why those six words? "The word 'residents' is chosen to include all who live here no matter how they entered country."
What does American progress look like for you or your community? "A friendlier, more compassionate nation, with an expanded view of what activities are valued and paid for. We need to appreciate all the work that makes our society function, and be willing to value the workers enough to demand a living wage for all who can work."
How well do your six words align with where the nation is now? "Much more change [is] needed."
Which candidates in the November elections come closest to connecting with the principles matter most to you? "Obama [and] McCaskill."
J.D. Wolfe, 63, Manchester
Six words: "We, the people, says it all."
What does American progress look like for you or your community? "Progress looks like regression right now. [It's] hard to be positive about the future with recent reports that kids playing outside are having the cops called on them. Politicians are full of unfulfillable promises, economic fallout, etc. Progress would be holding our own for the next few years."
How well do your six words align with where the nation is now? "We are closer to the full potential for all our citizens than I think we have ever been — meaning that despite all the downsides, people of all races, genders, ethnicities still have more freedom and promise in this country than anywhere else in the world at any time in our history."
Which candidates in the November elections come closest to connecting with the principles matter most to you? "Well, not the Republicans. Probably not the Democrats. Maybe the Libertarians. I find no substantive difference between the platforms of the Republicans and the Democrats. The Libertarians need to find a way to get enough funds to get their message out to a broader audience. We need the power of a third party."
