About

A City Upon a Hill

Nearly 400 years ago the pilgrim John Winthrop boldly declared, "For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us." Since that time, America has been the product of that vision, welcoming those who have yearned for freedom. Today, the vision is not as clear as it once was.

Our Founding Fathers recognized this unique opportunity and providence for America when they signed their names to one of the most powerful documents in the history of mankind. The Declaration of Independence codified Winthrop’s vision of a city upon a hill and recognized that all men had the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

What makes this message so powerful is the promise of freedom and human rights for all people. The Founders were not writing a document just for those in the American colonies, but for all people who sought liberty. This promise of freedom, and the protection of the rights afforded us by our Creator, is what separates the United States from every other nation on earth.

For generations, people seeking a better life have left their home countries and everything they owned or knew there to come to America. People have risked death to escape tyranny to gain the protection of God-given rights that enables liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is a blessing worth dying to attain and defend and no other country provides so much opportunity to so many.

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door." This is the welcoming message the Statue of Liberty gave to the thousands who came through the "golden" doors of Ellis Island. Today, the golden door to America seems closed.

America remains the place for those seeking a better life. Unfortunately, our policies of the last few decades have made getting here legally nearly impossible, and created an incentive for people to come illegally. This creates conflict and resentment, and the conflict builds to the point that otherwise rational and generous people forget that America is more than just a country, but an ideal as well. Rather than embracing those willing to risk their lives to participate in the American dream, some shout that they "must go back."

One of our nation’s greatest conservative leaders, Ronald Reagan, envisioned a different America. In his final address to the nation from the Oval office he spoke of the success of America as a place for all to come to enjoy freedom. He saw America as a shining city built upon the rocks and overflowing with peace and commerce. He saw a strong city with doors wide open to anyone who had the will to enter.

Let us strive to live up to Reagan's vision of our great country. America can only remain great when its people recognize that those who are willing to risk all, even their life, are worthy inhabitants. They embody the spirit of Winthrop, Jefferson and Reagan through their yearning for the full benefit of their God-given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Jason LeVecke
Founder, Golden Door Foundation

The Golden Door Foundation is a 501 C3 organization based in Phoenix, Ariz. The foundation is dedicated to promoting and protecting the vision of a free America through education, advocacy and free enterprise solutions. The foundation recognizes the true strength of America lies in the rights of the individuals it governs and supports the spread of liberty, defends it against detractors and works to eradicate tyranny, poverty and oppression wherever they may exist.