Dennis Prager argues Americans should prioritize their nation but reject an exclusionary "America only" mindset. He cites biblical teachings and Jewish law against pure self-interest, comparing patriotism to family loyalty: America first, but not at humanity's expense. America's power is a gift that should benefit all mankind.
America first, but not America only. And it's too, too many of the leading intellectuals on the right have gone to America only. And that's, uh, I don't understand how they justify that. If they are religious people. One of the dominant themes of the Bible is, "Do not stand blood. Do not stand by on the blood of your neighbor." Let me translate it literally. "Al tamo," do not stand, "al dam re'echa," on the blood of your neighbor. There it is. In other words, you can't adopt the attitude, me only. One of the 5 most famous dictums in all of Jewish teaching, if I am not for me, then who will be for me? But if I am only for me, what am I? That's how America and Americans should think, yes, we are first for America, just as we are first for our family. There are a number of firsts, but anyone who is only for their family or only for America is not a moral person. God or, or man or luck or hard work has made America the strongest country in the world, economically, militarily, culturally. And those who believe God was involved should certainly believe that God wants us to use it for the good of mankind, not just for America. And now we have voices that are saying just for America. And I don't know how they justify it if they are religious people.
Life, Legacy, and a Dangerous Mission in the Soviet Union | Sunday Fireside Chat
