I, myself, have never been overly patriotic, mostly because some Americans tend to overdo it, giving the impression they believe American people are better than other people. (And the whole “God Bless America” thing at the exclusion of other countries is so offensive to me as a Christian, it makes me want to do un-Christian things to people who promote the idea.) However, as a country, America is better than most others because of our freedoms and our culture of acceptance and egalitarianism. Living in another country makes you look at what it means to be American, and made me realize how very American I really am. I would hazard a guess that many people who enter the Peace Corps return more patriotic than when they started and certainly more appreciative of all our country has to offer.
In America:
·
It doesn’t matter that I’m a woman or what my ethnic heritage is or whether my parents have any clout, I can enter any profession I want.
·
I’m not limited in the level of education I can receive except by my own abilities or motivation.
·
I can live alone if I want.
·
I can choose not to marry or I can choose to marry at whatever age suits me and I can choose whom I marry.
·
I can dress in whatever way I find comfortable and attractive.
·
I can travel to any other part of the country without telling anyone.
·
I can travel outside the country with minimal hassle from my government.
·
I can speak my full opinion on my blog, on the street, etc.
·
I can go to any religious group meeting I want; I can start my own religion if I want.
·
If I get pulled over by the police, it’s because I did something wrong.
·
My male friends and relatives are not required to serve in the military.
·
I have full access to the news on television, in print and on the internet.
·
The government cannot force me out of my house without compensating me monetarily for its value.
·
I am given legitimate (arguably) choices of candidates at each election and my vote is counted.
·
No one (well, no one who matters) cares where anyone’s parents came from. My passport lists my nationality, not my ethnicity. My employer doesn’t ask for the names of my parents, grandparents and siblings, where they were born, where they live and what their profession is.
·
People of different races and religions live in the same neighborhoods and tend to get along with each other and build friendships with one another.
·
Children do not work except a few light chores around the house and even then they are paid in the form of allowance.
·
Creativity is encouraged; so is individuality.
·
In general, women know how to use hammers and screwdrivers and men know how to use a washing machine and stove.
·
Stores are kept clean, well stocked, and organized; workers are friendly and helpful.
·
I can always find a public restroom to use.
·
People with handicaps can successfully navigate public buildings and sidewalks.
·
There are standards of cleanliness restaurants and the food industry must live up to.
·
Students with learning disabilities are able to go to school and are given help to succeed.
·
Even in a small town I have the option of at least Italian, Mexican, Chinese or American for dinner out.
·
At every restaurant I get ice in my pop and free refills, and water is free.
·
I can take my daily run to the streets and no one bats an eye.
·
I can walk into any library and use their books and internet for free.
·
I have confidence that when I go to my doctor, she is up to date on medical procedures and provides me with the best care available.
·
If I am ill treated by my employer or a policeman or my doctor, etc. I have recourse.
·
If I need something to eat or cold medicine at two am, there is always someplace within driving distance I can go to get it.
Is America perfect? No, of course not. But it is free and it is home to a set of principles that continue to attract people from around the world. Happy Birthday, America.