Are you proud?

Are you proud to be an American (or a German, or a Brazilian, or whatever nationality your are)? Why, or why not? I’ll share my answer with you tomorrow. I look forward to reading yours.

My Answer: I am proud to be an American, but sad as well.

I’m proud that America created the best form of government yet invented by mankind, with America’s constitution being copied by dozens of countries. I’m sad that instead of improving this system, we’ve spent 200 years tearing it down.

I’m proud that Americans were (and still may be) the freest people on earth. I’m sad that we have given away so much of that freedom to those on the left who would control our public activities and to those on the right who would control our private activities.

I’m proud that America created the most dynamic, successful, economic system ever created. I’m sad that system is now being destroyed by people who believe that corporations are evil and profit is a dirty word.

I’m proud that Americans are the most decent, loving, caring people on earth. I’m sad that we’ve done such a poor job of demonstrating this to the rest of the world that so many in the world do not know about the fundamental decency of the average American.

I’m proud that Americans try so hard to improve themselves, constantly questioning themselves and testing their values in the marketplace of ideas. I’m sad that political correctness signals the death of the freedom of speech that I hold so dear.

I’m proud that Americans have historically believe in rewarding hard work and success, in personal responsibility. I’m sad that so many Americans today have lost that belief.

I’m proud that America, with all its faults is still the country millions of people are trying to get into, not out of. These people know America is still the land of opportunity. I’m sad we’ve so thoroughly failed to find a way to accommodate this influx and incorporate the latest newcomers into American society and American values.

For all it’s faults, the United States of America is by far the finest nation in the history of the world. I’m very lucky to have been born in this fine nation. I’m sad so many other Americans feel pride. I’m sad so many are embarrassed or ashamed to say they are Americans. But, as for me, I’m proud to be an American.

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