If it fails to meet this bedrock principle of American government, the issue will face serious challenge and often make a quick exit from public discourse. The immense power of individualism is repeatedly evident in consumer culture. Although tempered by a call for common goals and values, individual rights are a central part of the United States, enumerated in the Bill of Rights and preserved throughout its history. For better or worse, individualism is a guiding principle of contemporary policy decisions. Private property is the foundation of capitalist economics and a cornerstone of modern policy decisions.
Equality is the American foil, a constant pursuit and continual thorn in the side.
From blacks to women to gays, being recognized as equal in humanity is a continuing struggle fortified by the rhetoric from the Founders. However, America has historically tried to achieve equality of opportunity, not equality of condition. In part due to anti-communist propaganda and also because of strong belief in freedom and individuality, equality of condition is rarely seen as a desirable goal of American policy. Although there is obviously an entire spectrum of beliefs in between and outside of them, the two applications of freedom are freedom from and freedom to . In addition to covering religious and sexual freedoms, this freedom complements strong beliefs in individuality and property that reinforce American market ideology.