City on the Hill, 1630

 The phrase was first read, in modern times, in the New Testament, and it was late co-opted by many, including President Reagan.
My forefathers are the most famous of the early Americans who adopted this concept, generally meant to signify a godly hand in the success of those who came here.  The passengers of the Arbella who left England in 1630 with their new charter had a great vision. They were to be an example for the rest of the world in rightful living. The Puritans were all about the religion, and while the phrase has been co opted by many since John Winthrop gave his inspirational speech while still on board the ship, it comes from the parable of Salt and Light that Jesus delivered in the sermon on the mount.  "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."
I bring this up now, almost 400 years later, to remind myself that we started this whole mess that we have become with a golden vision that can still guide us as a country.  We are a country of immigrants, dominated by no one culture, and none of us is without a role is displacing someone who came before us, with the exception of those descended from slaves, who came without consent and were brought by those without a moral compass.  These are truths of history that we must grapple with and the idea that we could once again, should we vote for such representation, be a city on the hill.