Why Do You Love America?
by Joseph C. PhillipsMy son was confused. “Why does everyone hate America?” Sadly he wasn’t referring to Iran or even France. He was talking about the other children in his class. Apparently during his 6th grade class discussions a great many of his classmates expressed hatred for their country. Not only did they blame America for everything that was wrong in the world and condemn this nation for its greed and materialism, a great many of them expressed a desire to live someplace else. They believed New Zealand or Canada would allow them the opportunity to grow up without the stain and humiliation of being an American.
Now I was confused. I suspect the sentiments expressed by these children were more reflective of their parents beliefs than they were of any deep thought by the children themselves. Yet I am puzzled by such vitriol coming from children (and parents) advantaged with more liberty and opportunity than any other people in the history of the world.
I am, however, not discouraged. I know that in spite of the inclination of his classmates(and their parents)the majority of Americans love their country and love being Americans. No offense to New Zealand, but I suspect there are only a small number of Americans aspiring to live as ex-pats in Auckland. The truth is that even those that are critical of America love her dearly.
In order to demonstrate my theory I have begun asking people – friends and strangers alike – what they love about America. As one might suspect liberty, freedom of speech, freedom to worship and capitalism peppered most answers, but some of the other things people have pointed to may surprise you.
Among the terrific answers I received were the Grambling State University marching band, over-priced coffee, Thelonious Monk, South Beach, Times Square, Levi’s, Sandra Bullock and The Cosby Show. (To that list I would add: Western films, Gene Autry & Randolph Scott, The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, Count Basie and Parliament Funkadelic.)
A teenager from Ecuador was adamant that she loves America because it is orderly. People obey traffic laws, wait their turn in lines and generally follow the rules. (Poor girl has obviously never spent any time in Manhattan.) When she goes home to visit relatives people tend to drive when, were and as fast as they like, push and shove — disorder is the rule.
My favorite response was from a man I met at a public service conference. He was emphatic: “What do I love about America? Tacos!”
It may be that this gentleman’s answer comes closest to articulating what is truly great about America: The American people, like American cuisine, are an amalgamation of different cultures and traditions that, once on these shores, begin to blend together-borrowing from and lending to each other until they become the essence of that being known as the American. It is this phenomenon described in our national motto: E Pluribus Unum – out of many; one.
But it is not what we have in America that continues to lure people across our borders, it is what we believe.
Americans are the most idealistic people on the planet. By that I do not mean a belief in some squishy utopianism. I mean that Americans are still committed to making real the ideals articulated in the principles of our founding.
It’s a shame that some American children are being taught to despise their country; that is folly for which their parents will have to answer in the future. They are, however, decidedly in the minority. Most Americans love America not because she is perfect but because most Americans esteem liberty, believe in the promise of equality and maintain a regard for private property. I would love to hear what you love about America. Give it some thought over the 4th and let me hear from you.
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134 Comments
I love that my right to defend myself is protected in America.
I come from a family of American ex-pats: grew up in Canada, and moved to the USA when I was 26. Canada shares many of the good qualities of America, but Canadians have this collective fear of firearms I don't understand. The first thing I did when I moved to Texas was buy a .45. I suddenly felt very American, and very proud.
The left controls our educational system from top to bottom – and they have been indoctrinating our children for several generations now.
When Ahmadinejad is literally INVITED to speak at Columbia University – and Ann Coulter or a leader of the Minute Men is deemed "too controvertial" – you know you have a serious problem.
I seriously believe many 'educational elite' come out of our university system – far dumber than they were when they began.
Nicely written! Thank you, Mr. Phillips.
You can thank the good old LEFT for this. Thanks to ALOT of the media and even President Obama for this, his take no prisoner world APOLOGY tour…. The media print and TV are the PAUL REVERE's of this task…. plus, SOME of the teachers are to blame for this…….
Well, said. Keep the faith. My kids made it through government schools relatively unscathed but sinking feeling about the yet to be born grands–
I love America for the reason that others hate it. Hard work and sound morals equal a peacful and successful life. The many who hate America are generally those whose expectations have not been met, so they lay the blame on institutional racism or big business or the hunt for the "almighty" dollar. To them I say, "grow a pair and sack up"!
So well said…..My children have not started there journey through our educational system as of yet and I am somewhat scared… I made it and it was all becuase of my up bringing, so goes my children… my son carried a flad around the entire weekend saying he loves our country!!! and I hope that he is headed down the direction that I have.. becoming a republican and believing that this country is noble and does the right thing…. my daughter cannot even talk yet but she has been indoctrinated already in the conservative manifesto!!!!!
What I love about America is something that I fear is slowly fading away and falling out of style, and that's traditional and conservative American values. I love the decency and common sense that Americans generally have. I know it's not as common place as it used to be, and certainly doesn't seem to be in existence if one watches too much TV or lives in the most trendy of places. So I guess that's why I choose to live in a small, rural town, population of about 6000, mostly farmers and local business owners.
Good ol' hometown values and lifestyle, along with freedom and liberty. That's what I love about America.
That fear is completely irrational. I have yet to hear a plausable explanation for it.
This has happened before, in Britain. The Brits have lost a great portion of their national pride. They've been taught to think of themselves as colonialist racists. A bane to the world and a throwback from a primative era. We are heading down the same road and if you've noticed the state of Britain these days you should recoil in the fear from that prospect.
But there's a real reason for national pride, in both Britain and the US, and that's the notion of freedom. Being an American means holding the concept of liberty and freedom above any other political idea. That's what we should be celebrating as the American legacy and that is precisely what is under attack in the media and the schools.
I am the son of two immigrants…
One Poor as dirt, who scratched his way from the slums of Colombia to become a Helicopter pilot fir the US Army in Vietnam and later the top International Concierge for a major International Airlines.
The other was "Well to do", raised in a family that had influence, owned land and businesses and had all the advantages a small country like El Salvador has to offer. But her family gave it all up for the chance at a life in the US, where she became a top notch accountant and mother.
Why do I love the US? Because No where else would the sons of two people like that find acceptance, success and a real future.
In Colombia I would be eking out the life my father and his father had to eek out and running away from political enemies. In El Salvador, I might have a future, but the wars that ripped apart the country in the 80's could have found me dead or ruined.
I am First Generation American and DAMN PROUD of it!
Would I be anything else? Maybe Scottish… But then I would move my kilt wearing butt to the US at first opportunity…
I am Salvadorian/Colombian by blood but American in every other way. And I like it that way.
Personally, I like the fireworks on 4th of July. There is no real downside on the fireworks.
As all here, I love our Freedom; to live and pursue our dreams as WE see fit. And the freedom to protect said freedoms ourselves from those who wish to take it away, both outside our borders and within.
It comes to us at a continually high price.
As others here, including yourself, have said, this is what the kids are being taught. Liberals at home and abroad are as obsessed with the concept of multi-nationalism as they are with diversity and multiculturalism. They also do not see the forest from the trees. They don't see their militant multiculturalism as a force of division, which it is. They don't look at the UN and see the potential disaster of multi-nationalism, which it is. They are driven by a mis-guided ivy league political imperative to melt America down, in the belief that it will raise the ocean of the world up. It's an absurd notion. They don't buy into the idea of our prosperity as a model; they see it as a selfish curse. So, they are trying hard to imbue the young with this same philosophy.
"Yes Rico… Kaboom…" ~ Skipper, Madagascar Penguin
You continue to impress me with your articles Mr. Phillips.. You're a good "scribbler".. I love my right to pursue happiness, now if we could all get the libs to shuttup and stop creating artificial roadblocks to that happiness I would be greatly appreciative.
I love this country because it is home. It is where my family is. I have traveled to many other beautiful places and enjoyed the people, food, history, culture. But is wasn't home. And there was something missing, a vitality that I can't describe. Here there is hope (not the kind Obama speaks of). There is an underlying feeling that this place is ours and we will keep it strong.
Mike Lupica in fact just put out an article blaming Steve McNair's murder on "American gun culture".
Besides being utterly ill-informed, Mr. Lupica is helping to spread this irrational fear. His article is on the NY Daily News site and there is of course no place to comment on it. Mr. Lupica should stick to box scores because it's better to remain silent and have everyone think you're an idiot than to….well you know the rest.
Mike Lupica = Idiot….
The Duke said it best:
http://snipr.com/m8gbk
I love being able to go to a doctor of my choice-
I love an infrastructure that allows me to drive from coast to coast-via interstate or backroad
I love the fact that we are productive enough to have THE state of the art military and the bravery of the men and women who serve in it
I love being able to hunt and fish for food or go to a grocery store and buy it
I love being able to own firearms
I love that we're told the whole world hates us while immigrants are literally dying to get here
I love that our own citizens can bitch about how bad it is here without fear of being dragged from their homes and "disappeared" for their opions
I love that I have a choice about my faith rather than being born into a religion.
I'm more worried about the attacks on our constitution from within….
that is not a worry that should be taken lightly. And one that should be foremost in our minds when 2010 comes.
Maybe you should check out the leftist propaganda presented as history being taught in many public middle schools today. A good example is the revisionist series called "A History of US" by left leaning Joy Hakim.
o all those multi-cultural one world government types I have this to say: If they truly believe that a one world government is the the best of all possible things then there is a very simple solution. Apply for statehood.
To all those multi-cultural one world government types I have this to say: If they truly believe that a one world government is the the best of all possible things then there is a very simple solution. Apply for statehood.
I love this country because it lets me be me while letting me choose my course to succeed or fail. I don't have to take anyone's time or money doing it either. I can do it all on my own, my way, and it doesn't care who I am or where I came from.
I love America so much more after living in England for 8 years. Even though I have great memories of it and great friends, I love the freedom to express myself here; the lack of judgment based on where I went to school and what my accent is; and the efficiency and the speed of how things get done here. And I love the feeling that Americans feel for America, which is sadly lacking in Britishers for their own country right now. Thanks for your post, well done! Although sad to learn about those kids who want to live somewhere else. Let them try it and they will soon be back here, believe me:)
Great article and forum, Mr. Phillips…thank you.__What I love most about America – is the U.S. MARINE CORPS (in which I proudly served two combat tours; Iraq '03 & Afghanistan '04).
I'd be hard-pressed to find another place/organization in this wonderful country that is as inclusive of EVERY race, ethnicity, color, lineage, the highly and the not-so-highly educated, northerners and southerners, west coasters and east coasters, males and females, athletes and non-athletes, introverts and extroverts, members of military and non-military families, etc. – who all come together, working as one, and are willing to lay down their lives in defense of this great nation, it's freedoms and her citizens!!!
May God continue to bless our Marines…Oorah and Semper Fi!
Beautiful article! ( I blame the Public School System more than the parents.)
I love America – because of freedom and individualism. My Dad was a WWII Purple Heart Veteran that raised me to see America as a beautiful beacon of hope and freedom.
I don't know who Mr. Lupica is (the only sport I follow is hockey), but he sounds pretty typical of the anti-gun crowd. Nevermind that someone's willing to pull the plug on a human life, it has to be the weapon that's the cause.
As for Canadians, they are very nice people, but they are the only people I know who, as a nation, can simultaneously hold two opposing opinions. I think the irrational fear arises from their inability to ascribe evil in a logical — or even consistent — way. Criminals aren't evil, it has to be something else: bad childhood, poverty, injustice — or an inanimate object with mind-control powers. That object is a result of the American gun culture, which is the responsibility of evil gun manufacturers, the evil NRA, evil Republicans, and the evil FOXNews (which isn't allowed to broadcast in Canada, btw). The guy who's actually pulling the trigger isn't evil, but the people who defend the right of the victim to shoot back are. The guy who uses a gun to mug someone for the contents of his wallet isn't evil, but the guy who sells guns for a profit is. Go figure.
God bless you!
God bless you and your brave family!
Very well said. There's been a movement here in the States to absolve everyone of any responsibility. Just as you said it's not the criminal's fault, it was his childhood, it was society, it was "fill in the blank".
What's completely irrational is that a normally sane human being can ascribe a personality or emotion to an inanimate object. The gun is evil, nevermind the whacko that pulled the trigger, if the whacko didn't have the gun, he'd be a model citizen!!
Mike Lupica is a typical elitist, smarmy little puke that thinks because he has a syndicated column, he must be a super-genius. You're not missing anything…
Go Flyers!!!!
Good grief, man. Where in the world do your kids go to school?
america.
I love this country because we are free to choose everything about how and where we live,can say anything we want and our armed forces protect us and most of the world .
Will the same be true in 5 years ?
I will not take that bet.
As a former teacher, I have to say that the parents aren't helping much these days. Too many kids are being raised by latter generation hippie-types. Everything must be vegetarian, organic, green friendly and untouched by big business. If you don't subscribe to the global warming philosophy, then you're considered an ignorant heathen. And that's just the beginning. There's a sort of trendy aspect to the anti-Americanism I saw. Like it's not cool to subscribe to the old values of capitalism and hard work. Somehow it's considered sophisitcated to want government funded healthcare– especially if Hollywood says so. I think it's a trickle down effect from liberal college biases the parents picked up in school and a biased media run amok. These people are letting MSNBC and CNN tell them how to raise their children and the don't even realize it.
Swimming pools kill more children than guns, but nobody bans swimming pools. Guns are not toys and must not be treated as such. I believe that govenment run schools should have gun safety as a requirement. Once children are taught about how to treat firearms, this irrational fear of them will be gone.
I second Hank's sentiment. You are a big part of what makes this country great.
The Hatred of America is being taught Young minds from Kiddy Garden to PhD's not just in homes !
99.9 % of our Schools are Socialist , Marxist brain washing Learning centers ..Of everybody else is Right and America is always Wrong .
Look no further than Obama putting America down also over the world to the made Marines like me Sick of him already .
Stone wrote it better than I think anyone could have… but my reason for loving this country…I guess I can write it a little more succintly, (but nowhere more moving)…
I love this country, because I have the opportunity to succeed on my abilities, and if I fail at it the first time, I have the opportunity to learn from what I've done wrong, and have the opportunity to do it right/better the next time… and if I fail again, I have the opportunity to get it right the next time, and as long as it's necessary to repeat the process, thanks to the men and women who have come before me and sacrificed so much.
As for Joseph's original article, I have to admit, it truly made me weep for my country when I see children claiming to be ashamed of having the opportunity to be the best at anything they could ever want…
When are the armed forces gonna pull a Honduras ?
home school.
Hank_Scorpio: Thank you Sir. However, it's thanks to rational, humble, supportive, freedom-loving Americans such as yourself that made the decision to serve an easy one!
Additionally, my great-grandfather came to the U.S. (through Ellis Island at the turn of the 20th century) at the age of 14 and not speaking a word of English (yet). In order to pay his fare over here, he promised to work as an indentured servant for 7 years on a N. Californian plantation…where he learned to speak both English and Spanish fluently. The least I could do was give some of my time, blood, sweat, and tears back to a country that rewarded my family's hard work, devotion to family, and unyielding dedication to the U.S.
we are a hopeful microcosm of the world. we have all of the tribal conflicts & problems out there represented here, but a culture of conflict resolution & peaceful self-government to go with it.
The Green Bay Packers, and by extension, the NFL. If I lived somewhere else I would have to watch soccer.
And I second the nomination of tacos. I couldn't decide what I wanted for lunch but now I know.
Mr. Phillips,
Get your kids out of public school. Now. Find a private, conservative church-run school. Denomination doesn't matter as long as it is a Bible-believing, God-fearing, Jesus-centered school. I say this as both the product of public schools and the child of two retired – and, yes, liberal – educators. Almost all of their friends who are still teaching are also liberal, even here in rural Florida which is still very much a part of the Bible belt. How did I manage to still come out conservative? The Grace of God, pure and simple.
I believe most of the "children" killed by firearms each year are 15 to 17 year old gang bangers. Hardly works with the image of a kid digging his dad's gun out of the sock drawer and accidentally shooting himself but since they fall in the same age group that's how the information is presented.
"It’s a shame that some American children are being taught to despise their country; that is folly for which their parents will have to answer in the future."
If only… More likely their children´s children will pay the bill and will not know why.
233 years without a bloody coup. A few assassinations yes, but consistent peaceful transfers of power.
I love the Blue Angels. The planes themselves are a testament to American ingenuity. The pilots represent all an Amercan can strive for: intelligence, hard work, dedication, sacrifice in service to your fellow Americans and maybe a tiny little bit of joy in being a badass jet pilot.
It's also a thrill to watch them fly over San Franciso during fleet week, especially because it so thoroughly freaks out the anti-military crowd in SF.
Excellent comments! If we could all appreciate the oppurtunities given to us here in this great country, we would be better off for it. By the way, I am Scottish by heritage and you wouldn't catch me living in any other country except the U.S.A.
The Star Spangled Banner. I get chills and teary eyed every time.
Excellent writing, Mr.Phillips. Why do I love America? There are so many reasons I literally would be writing for days. I would simply have to say- I Love America!
I love the opportunity. Whether it's family, friends, community, or financial, there are so many different ways you can approach your life and a real chance that you'll succeed at finding it. It's not always fair, but easily the best place in the world to look for it.
At its inception, America was loved by those seeking liberty because:
1. In America, labor and individualism has honor. In Europe, there was no middle class. The poor didn't care about working hard, because they had no hope of possessing wealth at any real level. The rich took their wealth for granted, feeling that being elite was their destiny, and looked down upon the laborer.
2. In America, "commoners" don't defer to "elites"….the common man enjoys a level of dignity not found elsewhere
3. In America, the grinding authoritarian juggernaut of hereditary wealth, landholdings, and imposed religion could finally be escaped, and people were judged by their ability to produce, and not judged by "rights' and entitlements.
NZ and Canada seem attractive only because America exists! Americans are sometimes reviled by other nationalities because they are either jealous of our idealism and opportunities, or feel threatened by the way we value the common man. Either of these reactions is a form of elitism. And yet, it seems that the values listed above which made America great are disappearing at an exponential rate. In America today, we find that labor is not valued (socialism, welfare), elitism is the supreme benchmark, and we desire/allow the ability and responsibility of making decisions to be shifted to others. We are becoming what our we (or our progenitors) escaped.
I believe in these thoughts by Tocqueville, that "America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great….The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults. "
At its inception, America was loved by those seeking liberty because:
1. In America, labor and individualism have honor. Elsewhere, there was no reason to work hard. The poor didn't care about working hard, because they had no hope of possessing wealth at any real level. The rich took their wealth for granted, feeling that being elite was their destiny, and looked down upon the laborer.
2. In America, "commoners" don't defer to "elites"….the common man enjoys a level of dignity not found elsewhere
3. In America, the grinding authoritarian juggernaut of hereditary wealth, landholdings, and imposed religion could finally be escaped, and people were judged by their ability to produce, and not judged by "rights' and entitlements.
NZ and Canada seem attractive only because America exists! Americans are sometimes reviled by other nationalities because they are either jealous of our idealism and opportunities, or feel threatened by the way we value the common man. Either of these reactions is a form of elitism. And yet, it seems that the values listed above which made America great are disappearing at an exponential rate. In America today, we find that labor is not valued (socialism, welfare), elitism is the supreme benchmark, and we desire/allow the ability and responsibility of making decisions to be shifted to others. We are becoming what our we (or our progenitors) escaped.
I believe in these thoughts by Tocqueville, that "America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great….The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults. "
Uh oh, Hank, I was on your side until that last bit. Big Penguins fan here.
If you check the CDC stats, you'll see something amazing. Not only are shootings somewhere around #7 in terms of accidental deaths of children, but more toddlers are killed by buckets than guns. Where are the calls for safe usage and storage of filled buckets?
As for the educational tack, you'll note that the folks who think teaching kids about contraception doesn't encourage risky sexual behavior are the same ones who think even mentioning guns in the presence of kids is to invite the apocalypse.
In America, "commoners" don't defer to "elites"….the common man enjoys a level of dignity not found anywhere else on the planet.
This story appears in about a dozen different versions, but this is my favorite:
A British Lord travels to the Frontier West, America in the 1800s. His horse throws a shoe on the trail, so at the first little frontier town he comes to, he finds a blacksmith’s shop to have the shoe replaced. As he rides up, he sees a large, sweaty, filthy man hammering on a piece of red-hot iron. The Lord sits on his horse, waiting to be served, but the blacksmith doesn’t pay him any attention and continues to work his iron. Finally, the Lord, outraged to have been ignored this way by an obvious servant, dismounts, approaches the ’smith, and taps the man on the shoulder with his riding crop.
“You, man!” he barks, “Who is your Master! I wish to have a word with him!”
The blacksmith turns, looks at the Englishman, spits a stream of tobacco juice on the point of the Lord’s boot and says, “That sumbitch ain’t been born.”
That's a really good pont.
Ditto!
The girls, man, the girls. Prettiest in the world. My wife and I are doing our part (we have four daughters).
freedom of faith
variety within unity
Tex-Mex and pizza
God Bless You, Stone K. It is families like yours that made America great. I love to hear from new immigrants and first or even second generation Americans. Funnily enough, they are almost always the most patriotic because they know and remember why they and their family came here.
HOORAH!
God Bless the U.S.A.!
It's funny you mentioned Canada. I thought about Canada watching our Independence Day fireworks Saturday night. I was admiring the symbolism of fireworks to the real sacrifices made by our Founding Fathers to establish this Nation and then I thought, "Poor Canada. Their fireworks for Canada Day mean nothing. They've still got the Queen on their money. Ha Ha" (Done Nelson Muntz style).
God Bless America!
i stood outdoors on the 4th, looked to the heavens and thanked God for all those who sacrificed in freedom's name so that i, someone they had never met, could reap their reward. i love that i live in a country that honors freedom. i love that we are free to chose our path. i love that i can succeed or fail at my own hand. i love that i can have my say, whether anyone cares for it or not, without fear of jackbooted thugs breaking down my door and having theirs.
not to even mention how much i love texas, baby. all those guns and big hearts and people with the fight to do what's right.
i love it all. even the libbies. bless their hearts.
oh man, the tex-mex. ~swoon~
I was going to ask the same thing! Now that my kids are in elementary school (this fall, one will be in K and the other in 2nd grade), I am always on the lookout for this kind of thing. So far, and perhaps because of their age, and perhaps where I live which is probably more conservative than most places in the L.A. area, I have not seen anything of it yet.
It brought me to tears to hear my older daughter come home from pre-school (and a school district one at that, not a private one!) and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with the lilt of a 4 year old . . . and then teach it to her little sister. She also knows how to sing Grand Ole Flag! LOL!
The school holds a memorial on 9/11 and invites police, firefighters, military, and other such people to come and speak about what they do. They sing patriotic songs.
It could still be that the teachers are liberals, I have no idea, but so far I have been lucky that it hasn't yet reared it's ugly head. Although I have a feeling it would be slapped down quick if it did – there were way more Prop 8 signs up than anything else this last election.
I love the history of my country, for all its faults, the history of people who have loved its ideals and its "great experiment." I love America for the ones who stood up and said "no more kings (my only King is God!)" I love America for those who came here and worked their butts off to become American – my grandparents and g-grandparents did that. I love America for its Constitution, copied throughout the world. I love America for being a "classless" country – where a poor immigrant can become Governor, or a person can change careers on their own whim…and is admired for doing so…not like in Europe where you are labeled from birth and any deviation is next to impossible. I love America for its music, its stories, its can-do attitude. I love America for men like George Washington (my Dead Boyfriend!) and astronauts and the people who crossed the prairies in covered wagons. I love America.
did it 12 years. boy has since graduated texas a&m university and is a contributing member of society. can't say enough good things about home schooling.
It's the best of all possible things, when we respect and restore state's rights. I fear that our states may soon have to resort to Balkanization, to protect themselves from this burgeoning federal tyrant.
One of the many great things about Finland…
Population: 6 million
Private guns: 3 million
Armed citizenry as a deterrent to Russia: Priceless
Lupica has always been that way. He always takes the leftist side of any issue, and is happy to blame america and it's institutions for every problem in the world.
Me, too.
Thank you, Joseph Phillips, I thought my ex husband was the only black rightie in America! (lol) Your article was a wonderful example of balance, delighfully non partisan. Here's what I love about America, the short list: Elvis, I Love Lucy, Frank Sinatra & the Rat Pack, the Golden Gate Bridge, Hershey's Chocolate Kisses, Marilyn Monroe, Thomas Jefferson, the Twilight Zone, the Statue of Liberty, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Sex and the City, Michael Jackson's musical legacy, the Sopranos, freedom of religion, the Federalist Papers, all our Founding Fathers, 3 branches of government (legislative, judicial and executive), legal immigration, REAL football (the American pigskin kind, NOT soccer!), Michael Phelps, a strong military, the 9/11 firemen, my right to own a gun, states' rights, equal rights for women, and an African-American president (even if I think he's the wrong black guy, I am glad my black sons and in-laws get to see themselves in the top job in this great country! We don't need no stinkin' reparations… if Obama can do it, so can you!)
Why do America-haters always threaten to emigrate to nations like Australia, Canada or New Zealand? Not only are they always all talk and no action (you want to leave, then leave, no one is stopping you) they always pick English-speaking, America-ish nations. If they truly hate the American way of life then I dare them to live in nations least like America. I love to see how their views will change after living in a nation like Cuba, China, or Vietnam. These sissies wouldn't last ten minutes in any African nation. Hell, living in Mexico would give them a whole new appreciation on just how good they got it here.
The left controls our educational system from top to bottom – and they have been indoctrinating our children for several generations now.
When Ahmadinejad is literally INVITED to speak at Columbia University – and Ann Coulter or a leader of the Minute Men is deemed "too controversial" – you know you have a serious problem.
I seriously believe many 'educational elite' come out of our university system – far dumber than they were when they began. And now these people are starting to become grandparents of children who believe as they do: America is the cause, and not the solution to most of the problems in our world.
These are the clowns who elected "The One", and they will not see the error of their ways until America is unrecognizable.
Take your kids out of government schools and the problem of America-hating will be solved. I'm very serious about this. To continue to let the left indoctrinate your children is child abuse.
My kids love America. We watched 1776 every Fourth and it's become a family tradition. Even when they left home, they still manage to watch the movie sometime during the Fourth celebration. I love this country. The National Anthem still makes me tear up. I love singing America, The Beautiful. I travel and see the country that those who came before crossed in covered wagons and settled never ceases to amaze me. To think a country this young could lead the world – well, we used to – is nothing short of astounding. Our history is breathtaking and really interesting. Teach your children – they're our only hope.
Weclome, Stickwick, we are glad to have you!
I learned today that I couldn't buy a tobacco plant on my visit to Carolina. I was told that if I'm caught with a tobacco plant that I'll be running afoul of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. There are so many rules, so many rules today. I love the America of yesteryear. These days, I don't know. A lot of bread and circuses and government rules and regulations. Cap and Trade has made me pessimistic about the U.S.A. It makes me wonder if the states would better off it they dissolved the union and went their own way. Why should Texas or Oklahoma or Florida or Alaska or any state be victim of the malfeasance of Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi and Waxman and Markey and Boxer etc.
Tuskeegee Airmen
I know you are joking, but thats what I love about America (out of the many things). You can say things like that, and guys like us will defend your right to say it. Further, you wont be hunted down for your thought crime or ever fear that guys like us WILL come for any American in the middle of the night like that that…!
It's sad that your sons classmates are being brainwashed by our school system. It seems as though almost every teacher/professor is a flaming, America hating liberal anymore.
I love America for the freedoms it offers, freedom to earn as much as you want, freedom to spend as much or as little as you want. Freedom to MOVE and to live wherever you want. FREEDOM to FAIL or SUCCEED,for its capitalistic ways. It's all about freedom, if America starts to deny everyone their freedoms then there is nothing left and no where else to go because we are the last place on earth that still has freedom of everything.
"I know it sounds corny to say this, but I am DAMN proud to be an American"
Very nice!
Yeah!
What I loved about America is that it was the place I could escape to when Canada became unlivable, Y'all need to fix that Liberty thingy. I'll need a safe harbour (yes it's spelled with a "u") when I need it.
To the good things you have heard about why people love America, I would add the following: 1)although our freedom has been under continuous assault through erosion by big government, we still have more freedom than anywhere else on earth. 2) We have a constitutionally guaranteed right to the PURSUIT of happiness (note to the president- this is not the same as constitutionally guaranteed economic equality. That is socialism and better off in Sweden and Russia.) A few more frivolous things: fast cars, rock n' roll, blues, college football, and Big Hollywood.
While I certainly agree with you about New Zealand now, The Day Oprah's mascara starts to run as she tearfully announces on her show on state television that by popular NBC poll, the constitution has been suspended to allow his majesty, the Lord Obama to serve for the rest of his life, before like, you know, handing off to Caroline Kennedy, then I'm headed there in a heartbeat.
Thank you for your service, you and your fellow Marines and all those who wear the uniforms of our military services are truly the best of us.
I absolutely agree that Canada stands only because you make and keep us safe. Every time a forces mom posts on my fave forum, I thank her and her children for keeping my life and my country in one piece. (Quebec doesn't count)
I am proud of our Cdn forces but if Russia had wanted it so we would all be drinking vodka were it not for our neighbour to the south.
America = cool! Great read Joseph.
Without reading through any previous posts, New Zealand might have been mentioned by the kids because it is considered, by many, to be the only country left with little government intrusion and more personal freedoms.
If America keeps sliding down the path of socialism/communism, and our young people are indoctrinated thusly, in another generation New Zealand might be our last best hope for any Free Country.
Being a true red, white and blue patriotic American I shudder at the thought of our sweet land of liberty going into the tank. I raise my children to pick up their guns and fight for America, against all enemies foreign AND domestic (I'm looking at you, Obama).
Second the kudows, upside down is right side up and azzbackwards is forward and proceeding. So true that the educational system has been almost totally high-jacked by the left, it's unbelieveable….
I'll bet you and I live very near each other in the Los Angeles area.
I love our meltimg pot. Real history tells us no one is actually a native American. All of us are decendants of imigrants, or first generation imigrants. I just wish that we could hear strories of assimilation instead of those insistant on retaining their heritage at all costs and using that heritage as both a crutch and a club.
I also love the freedom of religion we are granted by our constitution, though there are those that insist on restricting this right. God, however, is on the side of those of us wishing to worship.
rulewriter, I love America because of people like you — who can describe much of what I would like to say but simply can't find the words. Bless you.
I LOVE AMERICA BECAUSE IT IS MY COUNTRY.
AND, I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!
At its inception, America was loved by those seeking liberty because:
1. In America, labor and individualism have honor. Elsewhere, there was no reason to work hard. The poor didn't care about working hard, because they had no hope of possessing wealth at any real level. The rich took their wealth for granted, feeling that being elite was their destiny, and looked down upon the laborer.
2. In America, "commoners" don't defer to "elites"….the common man enjoys a level of dignity not found anywhere else on the planet.
3. In America, the grinding authoritarian juggernaut of hereditary wealth, landholdings, and imposed religion could finally be escaped, and people were judged by their ability to produce, and not judged by "rights' and entitlements.
NZ and Canada seem attractive and exist only because America exists! Americans are sometimes reviled by other nationalities because they are either jealous of our idealism and opportunities, or feel threatened by the way we value the common man. Either of these reactions is a form of elitism. And yet, it seems that the values listed above which made America great are disappearing at an exponential rate. In America today, we find that labor is not valued (socialism, welfare), elitism is the supreme benchmark, and we desire/allow the ability and responsibility of making decisions to be shifted to others. We are becoming what our we (or our progenitors) escaped.
I believe in these thoughts by Tocqueville, that "America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great….The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults. "
By PAUL REVERE, do you mean the guy that got arrested by the British Regulars twenty minutes into his midnight ride (which was completed by the last good doctor in America, and an unsung free African-American patriot) – or, are you also upset that we were spoon fed this patently false unmitigated diatribe in our education – and while we're on the subject, really – who was on the grassy knoll? I love America because I have a constitutional right to babble on like this, and am only slightly concerned the grassy knoll bit might tag me for a little FBI or CIA surveillance – who knows, maybe I can get me a husband with a guaranteed job and a glock, 9 mm – very sexy:)
HAHA…That's hilarious!! That guy is a moron, isn't he?!
I just spent a few weeks teaching a summer course at a university with a Chinese citizen for an assistant. I spent a lot of our free time together answering questions she had about the United States with an emphasis on the significance on the July 4th holiday. I saw more curiosity, awe and respect for American society and appreciation for our freedoms from this woman than I ever saw in most American college student.
The few times I have been overseas when I come back through immigration and see the huge American flag hanging off the ceiling – I know that I am home…
I have to read de Tocqueville again. His observations about America 200 years ago are just as valid today. He captured her soul.
In the summer of 2002, I went to Norway with my husband (who'd been an exchange student) to attend the wedding of his host-brother. The wedding was full of Norwegian patriotism. The groom and many guests were dressed in traditional costumes. Small children were waving Norwegian flags. I was really touched by the honor they were showing to their heritage and their country. I thought how nice it would be to live there, and be able to participate in such a patriotic display . . . and then it dawned on me: no matter how long I lived in Norway, I would never be a Norwegian. I'm a British Isles mutt with a smattering of Native American. I could learn the language, assimilate into the culture, but I'd still be, in some fundamental way, an outsider. One of the things I love most of all about America is that *anyone* can be an American, regardless of what blood is flowing through their veins, or what accent they speak with. Americans are a symphony of colors and sounds, and I think that's pretty fantastic.
As a postscript, we have a friend (now an American!) originally from Ukraine. His favorite thing about America is the DMV. He says, "You go in, you take a number, and when your number is called, it's your turn! It doesn't matter who you know, and you don't have to bribe anyone with vodka!" He's not kidding when he says this . . . the fact that the DMV has to deal with every single person in turn is a source of great joy for him.
Before I begin the main point of my post, I will acknowledge that there are teachers who are are ideologues in the classroom (both liberals and conservatives); they do not belong in public education.
As a U.S. History teacher in a public high school, my advice to ALL parents is to question a teacher who is propagandizing in the classroom for his/her educational rational and justification. NO PROFESSIONAL educator should use the forum of the classroom to advance his/her own moral/political beliefs and agenda. Professional educators should help students explore all sides of an issue/event and encourage students to reach their own conclusions and justifications.
Asking teachers to provide their educational rationale for activities, assignments, curriculum, statements, and actions is entirely appropriate; it does not have to be controversial or an "in-your-face" conversation. Those teachers whose propagandizing methods are never called into question will simply continue to do what they do.
Most schools have some type of advisory parent group where issues like this can be raised and discussed with administrators. Teachers, administrators, and school boards do not like to deal with "waves" or negative, local publicity; they tend to cave very quickly if the "water gets too choppy."
Maybe a good use for the bailout money is to just pay for those who hate America to move to New Zealand or Canada. A trillion dollars should do it, shouldn't it? Unemployment goes down, too. I haven't thought this all the way through, including the impact of all those empty houses added to the market, but lucky for me such thoroughness no longer is required in today's policymaking.
1. Soon, THE ONE will make sure you wait 2 months to see some medical student.
2. Soon, THE ONE will make sure you pay a 50% increase in tax.
3. Soon, THE ONE will cut military spending to a point where we'll lose many of our brave fighting men.
4. Soon, we'll have PETA tell us we can't eat meat.
5. Soon, THE ONE will think the second Amendment is a bad idea.
6. Soon, THE ONE will make this a third world country whose citizens will fight to leave.
7. Soon, THE ONE will have his "Obama Corps" to drag people out of their homes and "disappeared" for their opinions.
8. Soon, muslims will fight to make us answerable to Sharia Law.
We have to fight to perserve our rights, our way of life. That we are the dominate culture and there are those who say we are done as the America Empire. We must show them we won't give up.
Generally speaking, I most love the goodness of the American heart. I was on a date with a girl in Australia one time, and she told me that she wouldn't normally go out with Americans, because they are arrogant. I had to explain to her that, generally speaking, this simply wasn't the case. People overseas view and judge America based on American foreign policy, and they envy our strength. I gave this nice young shiela an international example of why America is great. The example referenced the tsunami that had hit Shri Lanka some years prior.
I asked her, "do you know which single entity gave the most in aide to the victims of that tsunami?" "Who", she replied. "America", I answered. She retorted, saying that the American government was greatly criticized for not giving enough in aide. "You misunderstand what America is", I replied. "The greatest giver of monetary aide to the victims of that disaster, with whom very few had any connection to, was individual American charitable contributions. More than any other government or organization, Americans stepped up. America is not her government, it is her people." We have our share of jerks, for sure. But generally speaking, freedom and happiness breeds love and generosity, resulting in the purest form of national pride.
Lauren, it is a expression for a ringer maybe…. I did not intend to mean that literally… but yeah is'nt america great that people like yourself can babble about inane thoughts….I love America for the same thing…thanks for your compelling argument though!
Joseph, who taught these children to hate America in the classroom?
The answer may be coming from some educators.
I love America because the worst thing European elitists can call us is cowboys and I agree with them.
Cowboys are upright, honest, and independent. They have courage, perseverance, and high ideals. Free spirits, but still responsible and accountable. They are the quintessential American. You don’t have to herd cows to be a cowboy.
Cowboy is no insult to me; it is the highest of complements.
I suspect the children got a hatred for America from their schools. I would hazard a guess that few of their parents even realize their kids are being brainwashed into hating their country. What parent asks their kid "do you love America?" It just wouldn't occur to most parents to check whether their kids' teachers are brainwashing them to hate their country. Maybe it's time to ask.
Indeed, states rights have been trampled on for far too long.
This post is what America is; this man is what Americans can be; this man is what Americans should be. Thank God his parents brought him here. Put HIM on the SCOTUS and not Sotomayor. (And, by the way, there's no requirement that a SCOTUS justice has to have a law degree so far as I know. Maybe it's time we put someone on the court who has common sense instead of being indoctrinated at Harvard or Yale).
My advice would be to get your kids into a private school, I refused to let the public school system sink their claws into her. Short example, her global studies teacher has an iron clad rule: the only people students can call worse than Hitler are Stalin and Mao.
As for what I love best about America, that's easy, FREEDOM!
I have to say I don't know how it could be that I could be so lucky as to have been born here. When you think of all of the places I could have been born, it was in the greatest nation ever in history. Economically, culturally, militarily. There is no place that compares. I could be making mud cookies in Somalia, or herding yaks in Mongolia. There is only one thing holding these other countries back. Their form of government. And unfortunately the hope and change voted in in the last election is what is going to makes us become one of those 3rd world countries I wasn't born into.
Obamessiatus; infected believe that the anointed one can do no wrong. Rational thought is the first to go with everything becoming the negative of reality; such as ‘evil’ becoming ‘good’, ‘socialism’ becoming ‘free market’, ‘fascism’ becoming ‘freedom’, ‘higher taxes’ becoming ‘tax cuts’ and ‘governmental extortion’ becoming ‘spreading the wealth’. The infected exhibit glazed over eyes as they mumble, “yes we can” while dribbling at the mouth and standing with their hand out.
Hyvä Suomi! (My husband is Finnish, btw.)
Thanks! Extremely glad to be here.
I would like to believe that when people cheer at the end of the Star Spangled Banner that deep in their hearts hear every word of that song and they understand that 200+ years ago, something great was born. Something that will never be duplicated and that they are blessed to be here. I know I am. I get chills every single time I sing along with it and even a little misty eyed. I tell myself everytime that I won't…but from now on…I will not care one bit that I do. I could go on for pages as to all the reasons I love this country…but it all boils down to this one thing….we are free. God Bless the USA and everyone of her cherished countrymen.
Tennessee Jed: Uh, the "pursuit of happiness thing" is in the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution.
I've got one question for you. How exactly can allowing Ahmadinejad (one of the most right wing people on the planet) to speak, be considered leftist in any way?
You've done an excellent job of completely missing the point. Well done.
Now run along, and play elsewhere.
No, I get your point. You hate Obama, believe that the Left owns the entire educational system and media except for Drudge and Fox (who incidentally the Right used to hate for "polluting the airwaves" with shows like Married… With Children), and basically think that there's been some sort of Marxist/Communist/Socialist conspiracy in Washington ever since FDR took office.
I actually think it's you who missed the point of the article that you're commenting on. Phillips states above that, "The truth is that even those that are critical of America love her dearly." He gets that even if you say that something the U.S. has done is wrong or immoral, you're saying that the action was wrong, not that you hate the country. You don't have to "become a republican and believe that this country is noble and does the right thing," as Tchristemac said above to be a patriot.
And don't get me wrong, I'm not begrudging your patriotism, or the patriotism of anyone on this board. You have your God-given right to disagree with the president, and your Constitutional right to voice your disagreement whenever and wherever you see fit. I just have to ask, why wasn't the Right as accommodating when they, namely the previously mentioned Ann Coulter, called anyone who publicly disagreed with Bush after 9/11 "treasonous." It's just policy differences right?
Also, how were Ann Coulter and Jim Gilchrist, the Minute Men leader, considered "too controversial" to speak at Columbia? Both have spoken there since 2007 when Ahmedinejad took the podium. An op-ed was even written in the Columbia Spectator asking students to be respectful of Coulter when she spoke, even if they disagreed with her statements. Your original post is misleading at best and a blatant lie at worst.
Finally, you conveniently decided that instead of answering my question, which was just asking you to clarify a hole in your above argument, you instead chose to insult me and essentially tell me that I'm not welcome on this board because I don't share all the same views as the majority.
So I'll rephrase the question. How was Columbia University being Leftist by asking Ahmedinejad, an extremely conservative international figure, to speak at their University. I'm not saying that the majority of the faculty and student body are or aren't Left leaning, because honestly, I don't know one way or the other. I'm asking how was that specific action, which you used as an example to support your argument, Leftist.
Thank you for your service.
A lot of American tourists are arrogant though, because they go overseas and tell everyone how things in their country suck and it's much better in America. Nothing to do with foreign policy. Hang out in a couple of the tourist pubs or restaurants by Sydney Harbor or on the Gold Coast some time and listen to the American tourists whine. And your response is just as arrogant by assuming people envy US strength. The average person in a foreign country fears the US, not envies them.
Joseph, lumping together Iran and France as the anti-American coalition was meant to be an easy one-liner, I know, but one which falls far from the truth you so want to see. If you listen to many Iranians, not just the hardliners of the soundbites, but everyday Iranians, they have no battle with America. Their words and aspirations have been hijacked by a regime playing a dangerous power game. And the French (as an American living in France for the last 20 years and who teaches American studies at the University of Paris, I know from what I speak) are far from anti-American. Sure the French didn't slavishly follow Bush/Chaney into Iraq (and bully for them) but that doesn't make them anti-American, just thoughtful.
[...] reading: Joseph C. Phillips, Big Hollywood: Why Do You Love America? Larry Rohter, New York Times: Dear Donna: A Pinup So Swell She Kept G.I. Mail MJ’s Blog: [...]
[...] John Hancock and Theodore Roosevelt on True American Patriotism Joseph C. Phillips, Big Hollywood: Why Do You Love America? Robert Davi, Big Hollywood: Burnt Offerings: Teaching Our Children — Pride in Going Red, White [...]
Adults and kids alike have to KNOW that it is perfectly fine to be proud to be American. Why? Because this is where you were born, this is where you are from.. This, America, is where you became you. Don't be ashamed, That is embarassing. Being from America is awesome Every person you came from gave up something so you can be where you are and have what you want. YOU are so blessed to be from America. You have freedom and choice and love and food and shelter. Be grateful for what you have. Be generous with what you don't. You are American. You can't change that, Love It. Respect it. Know what it means.
WHAT HAPPENED? I GUESS WE GREW UP RIGHT? iT USED TO BE "COOL" TO BE AMERICAN. Now i guess we should be embarassed. For the "almighty dollar"…don't use it.
WHAT HAPPENED? I GUESS WE GREW UP RIGHT? iT USED TO BE "COOL" TO BE AMERICAN. Now i guess we should be embarassed. For the "almighty dollar"…don't use it.
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