January 31st, 2025

Dear Readers,

In a recent interview, Anthony Mackie, the new donner of the “Captain America” title, made an interesting comment.

He said, “For me, Captain America represents a lot of different things, and I don’t think the term, you know, America should be one of the representations.” He went on to say that instead, Cap embodied what America should be: "A man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity, and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable.”

Funny.

From my vantage point, and that of many others, America is already the embodiment of all these things.

I think Mackie got confused.

Steve Rodgers, the original Captain America, did have these qualities.

He was dependable and trustworthy. He was honorable and morally upright, did not seek to deceive people, and always had his friend's backs.

Those are traits that a human being possesses that make him or her a good person. But America, the United States of America, is not a person but an idea.

An idea that represents liberty, free speech, equal opportunity, justice, and the ability to create something from nothing. The American ideal is the great Western philosophy of the past three centuries.

The idea that you can be all that you are capable of being. That you can rise from the ashes of communism, aristocracy, or socialism and create a beautiful life for yourself and future generations.

However, America is not entitled to “have your back” or “be trustworthy and dependable” because America is not a person. If you believe that a set of beliefs will pull you out of a sticky situation, then you’re wrong.

That’s where people come in.

Your family and friends who do have your back in the darkest of times. Those who help you through your struggles.

People.

Living, breathing human beings.

America is an idea worth defending, upholding, and striving toward. America does not guarantee success or moral virtue—it provides the freedom and opportunity to pursue them. If we want a nation of honorable, dependable, and trustworthy people, we must cultivate those virtues in ourselves.

Thank you for reading this edition of the newsletter. If you enjoyed it, consider sharing it with the following one-thousand people you meet. I would REALLY appreciate it.

See you next time.