“Whatever was traditional doesn’t matter all that much. We don’t live in that world any more.”

Human nature doesn’t change. I also strongly disagree with your statement. Tradition matters a great deal. I don’t think you understand how dependent societies actually are on tradition for basic order.

“Furthermore, and this is a point that is seldom addressed, why should we, in our society which takes in people from around the world, people having all sorts of traditions, think that only the English traditions of the last couple of hundred years are “our” traditions?”

Because they are our traditions. And we are entitled to our own culture. How sad is it that I have to argue that we the people should be able to determine our culture. Anyway, you do realize that our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, etc are based on English common law. The US is the specific result of a period in English history. Did you ever think that maybe this country is so successful and stable because we follow these traditions? That it would be disaster to toss these aside. That maybe our culture is the cause of our success. That maybe what you argue is trash is the bedrock of our success.