Who is a Traitor in America Today?

History Repeats itself in the Life of this Republic

 Michael Streich

 

 

The last time decent American citizens were called traitors was during the McCarthy hearings of the early 1950’s and the inquisitional workings of the House Un-American Activities Committee of the same period. During the Great Depression, Father Charles Coughlin called President Franklin Roosevelt the “…great liar and betrayer…” And most American school children, perhaps until the 1970’s, remembered that Philip Nolan was the “Man Without A Country” in Edward E. Hale’s 1863 short story.

 

Talk of Treason and Traitors in the 2012 Presidential Campaign

 

Texas Governor Rick Perry’s characterization of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernake as a traitor and his questioning of President Obama’s patriotism is a bizarre continuation of the most sordid type of political non-debate that has historically attempted to substitute cheap demagoguery with substantive discussion. He is being criticized by other Republicans, including former Vice President Dick Cheney. President Obama preferred to “cut him some slack,” but should common sense Americans ignore Perry’s outlandish comments?

 

The term “traitor” has always connoted one who betrays – like a “Judas Iscariot.” In 1854, a group of ladies in New England sent Illinois Senator Stephen A. Douglas thirty pieces of silver following passage of his Kansas-Nebraska Act. Much was made of his middle name, Arnold – a reference to Benedict Arnold who betrayed his country by attempting to convey West Point to the British during the American war for independence.

 

Federal Reserve Policy Deemed Treacherous

 

On August 15, 2011former Texas Governor Perry observed that the printing of money, an obvious reference to the Federal Reserve monetary policy, was “treacherous or treasonous…” and that in Texas, Bernanke would be treated “pretty ugly.” Perry is right about Texas treating folks “ugly.” Under Perry, 232 people were executed in Texas, 80 more than under George W. Bush when he was governor. But treasonous behavior, like criminal death-penalty cases, was also dealt with severely.

 

During World War I, speaking out against the war was considered treasonous and equated with Socialists. In World War II, Vidkun Quisling of Norway left his last name as a synonym for high treason, in the old English meaning of the term. In the U.S. Constitution, treason is a reason to initiate Impeachment proceedings (Article II, Section 4). Article III, Section 3 defines treason as “levying war” against the United States, “or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.” Does Governor Perry view the printing of money, albeit figuratively in terms of the debt ceiling and budget debates, as an act of treason?

 

Treason in American History and Politics

 

Would Perry agree that Texas acted in a treasonous manner during the Civil War? In Hale’s story of Philip Nolan, he refers to “…every Bragg and Beauregard who broke a soldier’s oath…” Confederate officers – many trained at West Point, knew from their own agonizing accounts that they would be viewed as traitors.

 

Perry has alluded to a new secession, perhaps jokingly. (Fox News, April 15, 2009) Given the fascination among some GOP presidential hopefuls with Civil War revisionist history – like Michele Bachmann, Perry’s comments may be no more treasonous than the “Fed” printing more money. Texans, as Perry reminds us, are a very independent lot.

 

As an evangelical, Perry knows the meaning of “traitor” well. The traitor is a betrayer, a Judas Iscariot. Judas, in Holy Scripture, was overcome by satanic forces; Jesus observed, “One of you is a devil.” But the devil is also the “…father of all lies.” Using the term “traitor” indiscriminately, especially for an evangelical, opens the door to many troubling recriminations. If Ben Bernake is a traitor, what does that make Perry himself after his job-building claims for Texas are put under a microscope of truth?

 

For many decades after the American Civil War the Democratic Party was tarnished with the “traitor” appellation. All it took was to “wave the bloody shirt.” Many decent and honorable men saw their hopes fade as political failures like U.S. Grant were elected. Using terms like traitor and treason to win elections comes with a price, however. Governor Perry might not be aware of this since American History in Texas is taught by a state-mandated agenda, one crafted by evangelical former members of the state school board.

 

Seeing Beyond Political Rhetoric

 

Edward Hale tells his readers that, “It seems to me worthwhile to tell a little of his story [Philip Nolan], by way of showing young Americans of today what it is to be A MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY.” Nolan’s solitary and haunted life reflected great punishment but produced great repentance. To be a traitor to one’s country is akin to defiling the sacred nature of anything deemed holy and pure. Any flippant use of the term traitor cheapens its serious quality. American politics should be above such frenzy, and recognizable to every citizen looking beyond election year fabrications.