What is America?

"One of the questions on the paper was, 'Are you an anarchist?' To which a detached philosopher would naturally feel inclined to answer, 'What the devil has that to do with you? Are you an atheist?' along with some playful efforts to cross-examine the official about what constitutes an ἁρχη [Greek: archê]. Then there was the question, 'Are you in favour of subverting the government of the United States by force?' Against this I should write, 'I prefer to answer that question at the end of my tour and not the beginning.' The inquisitor, in his more than morbid curiosity, had then written down, 'Are you a polygamist?' The answer to this is, 'No such luck' or 'Not such a fool,' according to our experience of the other sex. But perhaps a better answer would be that given to W. T. Stead when he circulated the rhetorical question, 'Shall I slay my brother Boer?'—the answer that ran, 'Never interfere in family matters.' But among many things that amused me almost to the point of treating the form thus disrespectfully, the most amusing was the thought of the ruthless outlaw who should feel compelled to treat it respectfully. I like to think of the foreign desperado, seeking to slip into America with official papers under official protection, and sitting down to write with a beautiful gravity, 'I am an anarchist. I hate you all and wish to destroy you.' Or, 'I intend to subvert by force the government of the United States as soon as possible, sticking the long sheath-knife in my left trouser-pocket into Mr. Harding at the earliest opportunity.' Or again, 'Yes, I am a polygamist all right, and my forty-seven wives are accompanying me on the voyage disguised as secretaries.' There seems to be a certain simplicity of mind about these answers; and it is reassuring to know that anarchists and polygamists are so pure and good that the police have only to ask them questions and they are certain to tell no lies." (What I saw in America, pg. 5)

When Chesterton tried to get his passports regularize he was met with a series of questions about his personal beliefs, asking if he was an anarchist, an atheist, or a polygamist - which begs the question: Is America really the land of the free as mentioned in our beloved national anthem? Out first amendment right as Americans is the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, right to peacefully assemble, and the right to petition government for redress of grievances, so why should him being a potential anarchist, atheist, or polygamist matter? And if it does matter, why is America called the "land of the free"? If an anarchist, an atheist, or a polygamist were to answer yes to the question mentioned in the passage, would they be disqualified from their running to be an American? If not, what purpose do those questions serve?

I chose this passage because I feel that it highlights some inconsistencies within our government today. Although the laws may seem hypocritical as it pertains to the Constitution, it is important to understand that in order for America to advance as a county we must keep a progressive outlook regarding our founding fathers doctrines. It is important for the progression of this country; it is important for its citizens.

Sources:

Chesterton, G.K. "What I Saw in America." N.p., 13 Nov. 2008. Web. 26 Sept. 2015.

"First Amendment." First Amendment. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2015. <https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment>.