What's Still Great About America

Have you noticed there is always plenty of complaining going on about the United States? Lately, it's been coming from within as we try to sort out who should be our next President. And that matters a great deal: Who do we want to lead us? Who do we want to represent our country to the other countries of the world?


But regardless of who is elected, we ought to keep in mind this fact: America is America, it's a great country, and nothing is going to change that. We've always been a country of immigrants, and people from elsewhere still want to come here.  Here's why:

 

• We are far from perfect, but we have tried to right past wrongs and to give people a decent lifestyle.
• People come here because of job opportunities they do not have in their home countries
• They come here because at the least, we offer free public education from Kindergarten through the 12th grade, as well as pre-school opportunities and Special Education for children who need it. These things are simply not offered in some countries or come with a price tag too high for many people to pay.

• There is also help paying for college, and in some situations scholarships help immensely.
• Our Bill of Rights: Freedom of Speech, Religion, Assembly, Equal Justice

• Freedom to travel anywhere in the country without being suspected of anything
• Programs to help the poor with housing and food
• High quality medical care
• The United States does not have a mission of dominating the world. We'd prefer to live in peace with other countries if possible, and to fight for and with those who deserve better.
• The U.S. is known for its humanitarian efforts to improve the standard of living for poorer countries: We donate food, medicine, and send teachers to help others, and we're there when a catastrophe occurs somewhere else.
• We tend to forget we enjoy basic things such as clean water, good roads (for the most part) that are clearly marked, and freedom to dress any way you choose: these are other reasons why the U.S. is desirable.

• Availability of a wide variety of foods which must pass standards of healthfulness, available in supermarkets in most communities
• Separation of church and state

And let's not forget these things that were invented by Americans:

• Computer
• Internet                  
• Cell phones   
• Assembly line

• Movie camera

• Phonograph
• First person to walk on the moon
• Telephone
• Microwave
• Lasers
• The first airplane flight
• Zippers
• Hearing aids
• Defibrillator (to shock a heart back to rhythm)
• Lasers
• GPS
• Video Games

• (And most important of all) Chocolate Chip cookies

 

And this is because Americans are inventors, people who are encouraged to be creative and who know 'the sky's the limit' in this country. And when we fail, the rest of us say, 'Try it again!' and we do.

 

These are just some of the reasons people still want to come to the United States. What is your family's story? When did they arrive here? Why did they come here? Take some time to reflect on whether your life is better or not simply by living in the USA.

 

- "In America, your destiny is not prescribed; it is constructed. Your life is like a blank sheet of paper, and you are the artist. The freedom to be the architect of your own destiny is the force behind America's worldwide appeal. Young people, especially, find the prospect of authoring the narrative of their own lives irresistible."

 

 -Dinesh D'Souza
Read his excellent essay here: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2006/02/whats-great-about-america