GCCCD Coronial Experience Discussion

For our discussion today I want us to consider the American in American Government. By this I mean presumably there are some cultural, identity, political ideas and sentiments which shaped our early experience with government and which presumably explain our government and politics today. From reading the Mayflower Compact, the ‘What is an American’ from Crevecoeur who was writing in the late 18th century, and the Declaration of Independence, do you think there are some common ideals or ideas which can be seen from the very beginning through the present? How have these ideas (if you think there are any) continue to be of relevance today?