Fumbling the work of our forefathers

Those are the autobiographical words of Abraham Lincoln, who, despite by his own admission he did not know much, went on to become arguably our greatest president.

He's one of two American heroes we celebrate this month. The other, of course, is the president who gives Mr. Lincoln a run to fill the "greatest" top spot: George Washington.

Just as Mr. Lincoln spoke those humble words, Mr. Washington spoke words of self-doubt after the fall of Fort Washington: "If I were to put a curse on my worst enemy, it would be to wish him in my position now. I just do not know what to do. It seems impossible to continue my command in this situation, but if I withdraw, all will be lost."

Yet these two humble servants of God and their fellow man overcame their insecurities, doubts and limitations to found - and protect - the greatest nation on earth.

Today, the American people aren't seeing a lot of humility, self-doubt, or selfless patriotic devotion coming out of Mr. Washington's namesake city. Instead, we get a cavalier disregard for the people's wishes from the current president and breathtaking arrogance from his majority party in Congress. Messrs. Washington and Lincoln would be appalled and saddened by what their successor, President Obama, and the modern Democratic Party are doing to the nation they dedicated their lives to keep alive.

Over the past year, the Democrats have sought nothing short of remaking Mr. Washington's and Mr. Lincoln's America. Far from protecting the nation, their acts seem aimed at destroying it.

(1) The economy: Trillions of dollars are being spent in the name of "saving" the economy: bailouts, "stimulus," omnibus spending bills, budgets, government takeovers of the auto, health care and energy industries, all of which require ever more spending. The result is perpetual $1 trillion-plus deficits and a debt that's quickly climbing to its new $14.3 trillion limit.

(2) Health care: This week, Mr. Obama doubled down on "reform" by proposing a massive new health care overhaul that - yet again - lays the groundwork for the most radical of their proposals: a public option and ultimately, single payer. The Congressional Budget Office cannot even score it because too many potential costs are left wide open.

Tomorrow, they will hold a "bipartisan" health care meeting, which will have all the authenticity of a World Wrestling Entertainment match.

Polls consistently show that large majorities of the American people oppose the Democrats' proposals. They're routinely losing elections over it. Mr. Obama's poll numbers drop precipitously every time he raises the issue. Their argument about Republican obstructionism falls flat, as the reality of their total political control is lost on no one. They point weak fingers at Republicans when all of the chaos is on the Democratic side.We cannot afford a new $1 trillion entitlement, and still they press on.

If they ram it through with neither bipartisan nor popular support, the November elections will make the recent Massachusetts Senate election look like a walk in the park for the GOP.

(3) Energy: The Democrats continue to seek wholesale control over the energy sector though their cap-and-trade scheme. Although it passed the House last year, it languishes in the Senate. But last week, Mr. Obama's administration announced $8.3 billion in loan guarantees for the construction of at least two nuclear reactors. The White House says it intends to use that to try to attract some Republican support for cap and trade. Many Democrats (particularly from coal-producing states) are holding it up, but Mr. Obama persists.

(4) Education: Mr. Obama seeks to federalize large portions of education, beginning with his attempt to nationalize college student loans.

(5) National security: A commander in chief cannot successfully prosecute a war when his wartime policy is a confused mess. Is the fight against Islamic terrorism a law enforcement operation or a war? Will there be a civilian trial for top al Qaeda terrorist Khalid Shaikh Mohammed or not? Will it be in New York City or not? If not, where? Why are there military tribunals for some terrorists, but not for others? Will the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, stay open or not? The American people see a president in a state of confusion, and so does the enemy.

Messrs. Washington and Lincoln faced enormous difficulties, but they both gave their lives to make sure America survived. As Mr. Lincoln warned the South: "You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to preserve, protect and defend it."

Mr. Lincoln saw his duty to be the kind of guardian Mr. Washington advised us all to be: "The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people."

That would be us. The Democrats' radical agenda is not America. It's foreign, arrogant, destructive, subversive. That's why we push back against it. And if they were with us today, Messrs. Washington and Lincoln would be with us, leading the charge.

Monica Crowley is a nationally syndicated radio host, a panelist on "The McLaughlin Group" and a Fox News contributor.