Why I Love America September 2005
In the current times, the phrase, "I Love America" is often used as a cheap political ploy. I would like to leave politics out of it, because the reason I love this country has nothing to do with politics. I do not drive around with a flag or ribbon on my car. I support the troops privately by writing letters and sending donations. I do love the flag, it's history and symbolism. If you haven't been to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. to see the historical flags, I highly recommend it. Symbols don't always do it for me however, and frankly I don't need to prove to anyone that I am a patriot.
I was watching the news coverage of the hurricane this week and there is a Sports Bar in New Orleans that did not close for the hurricane, they prepared. And guess what? On television, they said they aren't leaving. They have generators and supplies and they have been vaccinated. All of the people in the Sports Bar want to help with the beginning stages of rebuilding. Some people might think they sound like trouble-makers. I think they are the embodiment of the American spirit.
Many of us are descendants of really ornery British citizens who basically told the King to get lost. They told the British Monarchy that they did not need them for religion, trade or taxes, they would darn well do it on their own. They were attacked as rebels and many were killed as terrorists by the Monarchy. They stayed and persevered and made a better life.
Many of the rest of us are descendants of immigrants who had the gumption and gusto to leave their home countries to try to make a better life. Some of the immigrants died in transit and were treated badly when they got here, but they stayed and persevered and made a better life.
Some of us are descendants of those who did not come for a better life, they were kidnapped and became property. Yet, after becoming free people they did not leave. They stayed and persevered and made a better life.
What a motley crew we are! How in the world do we manage to find a common ground, common beliefs and bond as fellow countrymen? It really must be a miracle. We say in the face of impossible odds and adversity that we will stay, fight and triumph. I love that spirit.
In this fast food, reality television, oversexed and crass culture it is easy to feel down or discouraged. The news is always willing to tell us the horrible things we do to each other. Yes, we have our warts. Our warts show up readily in our politicians who seem to amplify the bad in the corrupted stew of government. Malfeasance has no party.
Despite the periodic corruption of the government, we never abandon the United States. Unlike other countries around the globe, there has never been a "flight" of citizens. As Americans we are too stubborn to abandon what we consider to be our birthright. We are resilient and fight inhumanity and corruption when it becomes too obvious to ignore. Yes, we do wait sometimes before making a move. It took a number of years of negotiations with the Crown to realize the King was not going to let us be free. The American Revolution didn't start the day we landed at Plymouth Rock. But I think patience is a strength because it shows we are hopeful. We will try for a peaceful solution before jumping into the fire.
The people who stayed in the Sports Bar in New Orleans have not threatened officials with arms or barricaded themselves in the building. They are persevering on the strength of their convictions and the hope for the future. When I watched them on the news, I was proud of them for their spirit. I love America because of the American people and their spirit, in spite of all of our warts.