I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
You know the words. But do you actually believe them?
In ninth grade we were having a class discussion about heritage in one of my classes. People were proudly listing off all the places they had ancestors from, no matter how long ago it was, and affiliating themselves with it. It took about ten minutes for me to tire of that and so I threw in my comment, "Well.. I'm American." Silence fell over the room. The teacher was ashamed for getting so into the background of places he'd never been that he forgot, if even for a moment, that he was one thing: American.
That practice has always irritated me. Why do people try so hard to convince others that their background makes them certain ways. I'm sorry but you were born in America, your parents were born in America, and in most cases your grandparents were born in America. How long until you can say you're American? Patriotism is something sorely lacking in this country.
Which brings me to another point. All of these people who hang flags in their cars for different countries and constantly complain that elsewhere is so much better, why don't they go back? If you don't want to be here then we don't want you here. If your parents moved here then there is probably a damn good reason for it. They knew that you would be getting a better life here than that other country could dare to offer you. I understand feeling attacked to your birthplace, but if you've moved here and refuse to be an American than you should move back.
We as a people, should not be so torn. Black, white, German, Irish, Democrat, Republican... These things should not matter so terribly much that we forget the things that are important. We are all one people in this country. Supporting our country is the only way it is going to remain the republic that it is today. Without support, everything fails. Am I saying where we live is perfect? No, I'm not. But I am saying it's a hell of a lot better than several other places around the world.
