I came across the below and thought that it might be useful to some of the instructors.
The American's Creed
"I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon. I seek opportunity to develop whatever talents God gave me - not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence: the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any earthly master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid: to think and act myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say - 'This, with God's help. I have done.'
All this is what it means to be an American."
William Tyler Page, 1917
Resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on 3 April 1918
O0
You've got things a little mixed up.
The "Creed" you quoted is actually from Dean Alfange, sometimes mistakenly attributed to Thomas Paine as the Entrepreneur's Creed.
The actual American's Creed by Page is this:
I believe in the United States of America, as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon these principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.
American's Creed (http://www.ushistory.org/documents/creed.htm)
Dean Alfange's Creed (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/82410-my-creed-i-do-not-choose-to-be-a-common)
Thanks, ITB . Just saw this for the first time.
We found a copy of this in my Great-great-great-uncle's things. He was a Civil War veteran.