I Love The USA

a positive view

Published on March 4, 2004 By KarmaGirl In Politics

I read so many blogs that complain left and right about the USA. If you
took them to heart, you would think that this is the most evil place on
Earth. After talking with somebody I know out of the country, it is
obvious that the press portrays the US the same way. This person was under
the assumption that nobody had healthcare and you would go broke in the US if
you got sick.

My family has been in the US a *long* time. Like, "Mayflower" long
time. I grew up in a very small town with barely any opportunities.
However, living in this great country, I knew that I could bend my life
into anything that I wanted to.

My Mom was a stay at home Mom, and we lived on a low-medium
income. We had a comfortable home that was within our means. Never
any flashy cars, vacations, and stuff like that, but we lived comfortably.

Through the years, I moved out of that small town because I knew that the job
market was not in what I wanted to do. I moved to a bigger city. I
started working and supporting myself a little over 9 years ago. Is
started out making $9.00. Then, a job opportunity came available at a
start up company. Though is was a risk for me, I took the job because I
believed in the vision of the company. I took a pay cut down to $7.00 per
hour. I got rid of all expenses that I didn't *need*, and then got to work
making sure that the company grew and succeeded.

Over the years, that risk has paid off. The start up company employs
many people and has millions of customers. Everyone gets paid a fair wage,
gets health insurance, and the work environment is great. I am also
very happily married, have a great child, and have a comfortable home and
lifestyle. I work full time to maintain that life, and it all makes me
happy.

What made that possible? It's the way America works. It gives
people with a vision the ability to start a business no matter how small it
is. If that person works hard enough, that business will thrive.
America has the land, resources, and opportunities that allow you to work for
and obtain the life you want.

And, no, it's not handed to you. America doesn't mean a "free
ride". It is here to give you the freedom to work for what you want.
It is here to protect you and give you a fair chance. *No* country is
perfect. There is no way to please everyone. But, in my view,
America is as close to perfect as you can get.

My life is comfortable, and I work in a place that I love and
appreciate. I know its roots and I never forget its beginnings. I
take the same view with America- learn its roots, don't forget its beginnings,
and try to appreciate the way it currently stands.

Comments (Page 2)

bakerstreet

on Mar 04, 2004

"No, that is an entirely different argument. I find it hard to believe that you are unfamiliar with conservatives' questioning of liberals' patriotism, particularly in matters of national security."

No, actually that is exactly what I am talking about. Inaction, particularly in matters of national security. They demand actions be taken, and then use those actions to create a 'civil rights' platform to further themselves politically. This goes even beyond inaction. If they are fighting this hard to stop any effort to increase national security after 9/11, do you think for an instant much could have been done before it? What if George Bush had tried to enact this kind of draconian airport safety before 9/11? How would it have been met by Liberals?

The reason many of them are being called unpatriotic is because 99% of their complaints about national security, the war on terrorism, and the Patriot act are not in the national interest, but jabs made solely for politcal effect. I'm sorry, but derailing national security efforts in the interests of a political campaign is unpatriotic.

Aaron Brandt

on Mar 04, 2004

I don't think the majority of people think that those who have an opinion contrary to the current administrations are "unpatriotic". They think that those who seem to want to see our country fail in what its doing are "unpatriotic". I tend to agree with this. We all have different opinions, and that is fine, but just because we have different opinions shouldn't mean we wish something bad to happen to our country just so that it hurts the reputation of the man in office. I guess it boils down to, you can support our country even if you don't agree with the person running it, or, even if you don't agree with the person running our country, you should stil support the country as a whole.

new-age nomad

on Mar 05, 2004

"Why do I complain? Because I don't like the way things are going. Why do I stay? Because I love my country...and it could be better." ----Someone beside me said that. haha

Trinitie

jeblackstar

on Mar 05, 2004

You are correct that hospitals can't put liens, I was actually mixing my rants, one about loan payments and the other about high hospital costs. My apologies.

Cheers

WiseFawn

on Mar 05, 2004

I
take the same view with America- learn its roots, don't forget its beginnings,
and try to appreciate the way it currently stands.

I love my country and can never forget it's roots. And in loving my country, I will continue to raise my voice to things I consider wrong, I will continue to write my representatives and vote as my conscience dictates. I will open up centers and I will write articles. In the seventies America, love it or leave it, became quite a slogan. So far it has been twice implied to me that I should leave my country because I write about the poverty I see here.
Soldier Blue
by Sainte Marie Buffy

I’ll tell you a story and it’s a true one
and I’ll tell it like you understand
And I ain’t gonna talk like some history maid.

I look out and I see a land.
Young and lovely. Hard and strong
For fifty thousand years we’ve danced her praises.
Prayed our thanks and we’ve just begun. Yes, Yes

Yes this is my country.
Young and growing.
Free and flowing. Sea to sea.
Yes, this is my country.
Ripe and bearing miracles
in every pond and tree.
Her spirit walks the high country.
She’s giving free wild samples.
And setting an example how to give.

Yes this is my country
Retching and turning
She is like a baby learning how to live
i can stand upon a hill at dawn
Look all around me.
Feel her surround me.
Soldier blue
Can’t you see her life has just begun
Beating inside us. Telling us she’s here to guide us.

Soldier blue, Soldier blue, Soldier blue.
Can’t you see that there’s another way to love her.

This is my country
And I sprang from her
And I’m learning how to count upon her.
Tall trees and the corn is high country.
I guess I love her.
And I’m learning how to take care of her

When the news stories get me down
I take a drink of freedom to think of
North America from toe to crown
It's never long before
I know just why I belong here

Soldier Blue, Soldier Blue
Can't you see that there's another way to love her

Don Bemont

on Mar 05, 2004

The reason many of them are being called unpatriotic is because 99% of their complaints about national security, the war on terrorism, and the Patriot act are not in the national interest, but jabs made solely for politcal effect. I'm sorry, but derailing national security efforts in the interests of a political campaign is unpatriotic.

I think you just became an exhibit for my case. Liberals have many faults, but I have never had one tell me that I was unpatriotic simply because I disagreed with them. Conservatives tend to be so sure that they are right that disagreement is simply anti-American.

bakerstreet

on Mar 05, 2004

Don Bemont : Did I say that they are unpatriotic for disagreeing? No. I said "derailing national security efforts in the interests of a political campaign is unpatriotic". Today, I watched Tom Daschle announce what he considered to be "dire" economic numbers with a smile on his face. The spirit of the moment was that of celebration. That isn't concern, that is maximizing on other people's pain, with a smile, glad you have some dirt to throw before November.

An exhibit I may be, but frankly Democrats at every step since 9/11 have been the brakes. Now, even while they are harping about why nothing was done previous to 9/11, they constantly politicize every step to prevent it from happening again. Do they offer alternatives? No, they just differ. I don't think it is based upon philosophical differences, any more than I think Daschle's press conference today was about concern for the American public. They are simply wanting to profit politically from tragedy, and I find that to be unpatriotic.

jeblackstar

on Mar 05, 2004

I believe their problem is with the gradual eroding of our civil liberties.

Cheers

bakerstreet

on Mar 05, 2004

" I believe their problem is with the gradual eroding of our civil liberties."

Then the best thing to do would be to show us how post 9/11 security can be accomplished without eroding civil liberties. Then, they would accomplish something other than angry finger-pointing in front of TV cameras. As it stands it is win/win for them politically just to sit back and criticize. Unpatriotic, yeah, when it endangers the nation and is done for political gain.

Don Bemont

on Mar 05, 2004

BakerStreet: Sorry if I was too flip with my answer.

However, I think you are on dangerous ground when you find opposition to be suspect in the area of patriotism because it is political. That is how our goverment system should work. When a segment of the population believes something, someone will try to get elected by espousing that point of view. Win or lose, the public has spoken. To call a point of view unpatriotic because it is political is, at its core, a belief that no one should be allowed to represent that point of view within our democratic system. As to the sincerity of a particular spokesperson, that is the concern of the group that is looking for a representative. (I tend to think President Bush is pretty sly in his dealings with the religious right, but that is the business of the religious right, and not for me to judge.)

As I see it, there was nothing unpatriotic about Republican opposition to President Clinton's actions in Kosovo, even though their opposition was clearly political in nature. And there is nothing unpatiriotic about Democratic opposition to the actions of President Bush.

bakerstreet

on Mar 05, 2004

Don Bemont : Nah, you weren't. Again, though, my point is not their opposition, it is their lack of reasonable alternative. If you tear down your house because you disagree with its design, one would assume you would build it back. The job needs to get done, right? Instead, all I see from the Democratic party re: 9/11 is criticism without alternative. Lots of tearing down and no building back. That is what I call unpatriotic, because it leaves the question unanswered in dangerous times.

I would just prefer "You're doing that wrong" to be followed by "Do it like this". Then at least a compromise can be made. As it stands they just want them to continue doing things wrong so can continue expressing their distress. I don't call the Democratic stance on Iraq unpatriotic, though I disagreed. Their alternative was the UN. With most everything else, I see no alternative at all.

jeblackstar

on Mar 05, 2004

Angry finger pointing wins both sides votes. Please don't pretend that Republicans haven't been guilty of the exact same thing.

Cheers

bakerstreet

on Mar 05, 2004

Again, it isn't the finger pointing, it is the lack of a reasonable alternative. Leaving things broken isn't a viable option in terms of national security.

BulbousHead

on Mar 05, 2004

Leaving things broken isn't a viable option in terms of national security.

If maintaining civil liberties means leaving things broken, then broken let them be. What did Franklin say about liberty and safety...?

messybuu

on Mar 06, 2004

Most people are willing to sacrifice some liberty in order to keep thousands of innocent civilians from being killed.

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