God Bless The United States of America.
“…We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…” The U.S. Constitution
On July 4th we the citizens of The United States of America are celebrating our countries 239th anniversary. As countries go, we aren’t by any stretch of the imagination the oldest governed country in the world. There are actual populated cities on this earth that are far older. But for what we may lack in age and maturity, we certainly make-up with in brashness, can-do spirit, and audacity. Is that good? I don’t know, any perspective less than a hundred years old I immediately consider suspect at best.
Regardless of my nation’s sometimes bloody, sometimes noble, sometimes idiotic, sometimes unfair, and sometime brilliant past or present, I do love my home and nation – warts and all. Our US flag stands for a great deal, some bad, but so much more that is good.
Consider how many people from around the world would move to the US at the drop of a hat. Think of all our Latin American neighbors sneaking in against or laws and policies because they would rather live here than their own nations. I work at a University and meet many students from other nations who would rather stay here than go back to their own nations as their academic careers draw to a close. Many struggle to stay, some are not so successful.
No matter what people may think of the United States of America, it is for me the most wonderful place to live in the world. If you were born in a different place and take offense at my statement, I truly hope you love your home as much as I love mine. My wish for you is that you will work hard to make your nation a great and a wonderful place to live. As for me, I will endeavor to help my home maintain our national identity as “one nation under God, indivisible with justice for all.”
Is our country perfect? What does perfect mean anyway? Is their room for improvement, absolutely. But if we don’t learn to work together and face our difficulties with civility and respect, the alternative will always be bleak.
Name one thing you love about your home in the United States and one thing you would change for the better.
The Scriblerians 
I love the fact that I can still freely speak of my faith, regardless of how the media would have us think we can’t.
I would change a growing trend in our education system and elsewhere in our culture as to the definition of hate speech. Much is bandied about regarding critical thinking skills, but I see fewer and fewer people with the ability to use analysis and knowledge in order to come to a conclusion on controversial subjects. So instead of attacking the integrity of someone you disagree with, I want to hear people say, “prove your case” during an argument.
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Amen sister!
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I am thankful we have the right to own property and that there is still enough wide open spaces where one can buy acreage.
Improvement can be made on the public school system; it needs a massive overhaul or privatization.
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Amen!
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I love that we are a nation of united states with individual characteristics, not the least of which are their varied natural beauty and resources.
I believe in Amendment 10, or article 10 of the Bill of Rights: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. I would correct the disregard shown for (or perhaps ignorance of) this amendment. Maybe our children or grandchildren will one day be able to do that.
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Someday
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I enjoyed reading the Preamble to the Constitution on July 4. Great and timeless words. I had to memorize those in 8th grade. People just don’t write like that anymore…
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Jefferson read many of the political philosophers of his day Thomas Hobbs, Francis Bacon, but especially John Locke. If you read some of Locke’s works you will see the inspiration that appeared in the Preamble.
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