A helpful reminder from the young John Roberts

Apparently, while serving as Associate Counsel to President Reagan, John Roberts had occasion to comment on a proposed presidential speech referring to the "greatest nation God ever created."  In Roberts's view, such a reference should be avoided, because "God creates things like heavens and the earth and the birds and the fishes, but not nations."  (Thanks to Professor Friedman, at "Religion Clause", for the tip).  On the other hand, Catholics tend to think in terms of the "common good", and to see even political communities as, in some way, playing an important role in authentic human flourishing.  So, was Roberts wrong?

Rick