A. Barton Hinkle on the Foundation Upon Which America Was Built

Back in April, President Obama told an Ohio audience Republicans "don't seem to remember how America was built."

But the President sure does! "America," he says, "was built on the idea of broad-based prosperity." And "the promise of equality and full participation for all." Also, "America was built on innovation," and on "the hard work and ingenuity of our people and our businesses." Not to mention "a belief that the best progress comes from ordinary citizens." It's all right there in the archives, go check it out.

It's not entirely clear why so many people feel the need to explain what America was built on. It is entirely clear, writes A. Barton Hinkle, that the country always seems to be built on ideas they happen to embrace. You never seem to hear anyone say, "I don't believe in such-and-such, but hey, that's what America was built on. Whattaya gonnado?"