It has become increasingly faddishto pontificate on the shortcomings of our great country. From the White House on down those who believe they alone hold the moral high ground and are so much smarter than the rest of of us, they have created a cabin industry of blaming America for everything imaginable. I cringe each time President Obama gives yet another “blame America first” talk while skillfully reading from a teleprompter. Fortunately the facts do not support the rants of socialist leaning pointy heads who think government is the answer to every question and America in the genesis of every world problem.
The hope and promise of America still is alive and well. Not only is it burning in the hearts of most Americans but people the world over still dream of being able to come to our shores to experience the opportunity of a better life and to share the freedoms that is our national birth right and history.
We, American citizens, are still the bravest, hardest working people on planet earth. Our common creativity and work ethic has given the world invention after invention and products and services that have made countless lives better.
The harshest critics of U.S. government policies and our American culture still pay the big bucks to send their children here to have them educated. From the whole earth those who can afford it come to the United States for the best health care on earth.
We are still the most generous people in the history of the world. Our giving both as a national government and privately is unrivaled in human history. Just in the last few weeks several people I know have gone abroad to help the less fortunate in amazing ways. And I just read in Christianity Today that charitable giving is still very, very strong in the face of the gloom and doom that is piped into our homes by the hour.
Our men and women have paid with life and limb to liberate millions from the tyranny of evil men and their oppressive regimes. We have done what no country has done that I am aware of and rebuilt the countries of our former enemies to the tune of trillions of dollars and the sacrifice of our people.
And, from our shores the good news about Chrsit has gone out to all the world and continues til this day. I am very aware things are changing, but we American believers have been the light on the hill for the worlds masses. We should never forget our history and the possibilities of our future.
Although our freedoms are eroding, we are still the freest people on earth in the history of man and our hopes and promise we still hold out to the worlds masses who will come here legally and with good intentions.
Do I think we are perfect as a people or deserve better than the downtrodden of other lands, absolutely not. Over the decades many of our citizens have adopted the morals of dogs and the erosion is growing. We, like all people, have made huge mistakes both in U.S. policy and implementation and as citizens. While that is true, I am weary of the constant barrage of nay sayers whose delight is to innumerate all of the perceived ills and flaws of our people and our government.
Do we deserve God’s blessing for these past 233 years? NO! Are we somehow God’s chosen people? NO! Are we, or should we be a Christian nation? NO! No, we deserve what we have not received, that my friend is called God’s mercy. How long will this national experiment that was dreamed by our forefathers survive? Only God knows.
With all of our faults, our warts and bumps, mixed with our good, there is no people on earth who are more free, more blessed, and have more to be thankful for. America is truly the home of the brave and the land of the free.
May God bless America.
A proud American,
Royce
AMEN! Thanks Royce!
Royce, the USA is undoubtedly a great nation. I’m just curious how you deduce that the USA has the bravest and the hardest working people on planet earth. Perhaps I am being oversensitive. But I would guess all non-Americans would react similarly to your comments.
Just tell me who they are then. I know it isn’t chic to be a patriot and to put America first but then I am “insensitive” to political correctness.
Thanks for reading and for your comment.
Royce
Royce, I am one of them who was offended. My husband is another – I shared the blog with him (and he has visited the USA many times – I haven’t as yet). I am not an American. I’m an Australian who was a South African for my first 29 years. He is an Australian who was born in England and also lived in South Africa. He has travelled widely for business.
I have been feeling bad about my comment. Your writing is always full of grace. I guess I was taken aback by what I read.
I am sorry that you and your husband were offended. I think though that an objective look at history shows the heart of what I said. Most of our fallen American heros paid the ultimate price defending not only America’s freedoms but specifically the freedoms of people in far away places. And, to this day, we are still doing it.
You and your husband might want to read this article. http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/what-has-us-done-for-us-a-lot-actually/2005/08/21/1124562749389.html And of course we Americans have poured tens of millions of aid and humanitarian assistance into South Africa with little recognition or thanks. My church’s relief ministy has put millions of dollars on the ground in Africa drilling water wells, taking care of orphans, and feeding the hungry. That is only one ministry from one small American town.
Brave? Our military is an all volunteer force, and I know of no military who has proven more personal sacrifice and bravery to the point of death.
I am guilty of being proud of my country and deeply resent the flood of negativity coming from around the globe (and our own president). I especially detest those who eagerly share in the bounty of the U.S. on the one hand and yet have only scornful comments on the other.
We are not a perfect people, we have made huge mistakes. We have not however, been mistaken in our defense of freedom thoughout our history and our unparalled generosity. These are facts that are not easily questioned by fair minded people.
You should not feel bad about your comment. It is ok if family members disagree sometimes
Royce
Royce, thanks for these words. I’m also thankful and proud to be an American. Like you, I understand something of the tragic misdeeds of our nation. And I appreciate your kingdom-of-God perspective. But there is absolutely no reason to downplay the good the U.S. has meant to the world for so long now.
I do think that the U.S. now has a double personality that it hasn’t figured out how to handle. On the one hand, we remember how we were once this little federal republic on the other side of the Atlantic, the ultimate underdogs who could. On the other hand, the reality that has emerged is that we’re the most impressive world empire ever. Dealing with our out-of-whack power while sometimes wishing we were still a kid. That’s where we’ve been for awhile. And so we teeter on the brink between true greatness and tragedy.
Royce, I agree with what you have said in your reply to my second comment above. However that still doesnt make the USA the bravest or the hardest working people on planet earth. How does the bravery of some (the military) make the whole nation the bravest? I still don’t see how the USA is the hardest working nation on earth. Your annual leave entitlements are not good.. but what do you base your comment on? Hours worked? Working conditions? Results?
Ok. Who do you think? Of course it is the results!