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larly on matters of race.

His principled adherence to the eternal Godgiven truths of the Declaration, and refusal to fold to the progressive agenda, which he calls the “thenprevailing orthodoxy on race,” was a lonely battle which left him under constant attack.

It was then he realized that carrying out the agenda was more than knowing the principles, but having the courage to fight, and even, if necessary, die for them.

Thomas notes that the principles stated in the opening of the Declaration — “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable rights” — could have gotten nowhere without the last paragraph of the Declaration.

There the signers conclude “We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

“What changed the world,” per Thomas, “was not the words, but the commitment and spirit of the people willing to labor, sacrifice, and even give their lives” for what Lincoln called at Gettysburg “the last full measure of devotion.”

Thomas asks, “Do any of us have what it took for our young soldiers to storm Normandy Beach, to fight at Guadalcanal, to later fight at Chosin Reservoir?”

He discusses the emergence of progressivism which challenged the core principles of the Declaration. As Thomas notes, its pedigree is not American but was born in 19th century Germany of Otto von Bismark.”

It’s a world view that rejects the notion that God-given truths govern our lives, but rather politics and government socalled experts.

It’s deeply ironic and unfortunate that the Civil Right Movement, a movement about human freedom, a movement about moving Black people out from the distortions of political control, and to our regime of freedom defined by our Declaration’s principles, itself saw progressivism as the answer to problems of race.

We are in a great struggle today for the future of our country.

The movement toward progressivism has delivered to us a new time with massive government, deficits, debts and bankrupt entitlement programs. The assault of progressivism on the Godgiven principles of the Declaration of Independence has also taken a great toll on our culture, with the traditional family and our birth of children in dangerous decline.

To restore the vitality of our nation, we for sure today need a “new birth of freedom.”

A good start for all is to listen to Thomas’ message.

Star Parker is founder of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education. Her recent book, “What Is the CURE for America?” is available now. To find out more about Star Parker and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators. com. COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS. COM