This week we started our study of the Constitution and the freedoms that make us uniquely American. You can order your own free copy of the United States Constitution from: http://www.constitutionfacts.com/index.cfm?section=bookstore&page=freeCopy.cfm
There are things about America that I don't like; paying taxes (even though I know they're neccessary), crooked politicians and corporate greed. However, despite those things, I am still proud to be an American. I am proud to live in a diverse country where we can participate in our own political process. I am proud that we have the freedom to practice our own religion and speak our mind. Each quarter as we review the Constitution, I am reminded of all the freedoms that we have which I tend to take for granted.
So my question to you this week is, "Are you proud to be American? If so, why? If no, why not?" Answers are due no later than Tuesday, July 20th, 2011. P.S. So, two quarters ago, the students helped me create a really cool blog template that had a patriotic theme. Somehow, last quarter, I lost all the graphics and had to go back to this generic template. If any of you have any suggestions or know of any links where I can find a better template let me know!
While I'd like to say I am always proud to be an American, I feel that is partially dishonest. For all intents and purposes, I am, yes, proud that I am a part of a country who has granted universal suffrage, who is involved in extending our arms of prosperity to less industrialized nations by way of philanthropic groups, who allows freedom of speech and expression, who, for the most part, care for the well being of each citizen. Yet, I find, that I am often disappointed and ashamed of the way we treat some of our own people. For example, banning same sex marriage. In my eyes, this is a lapse in equality, and much like we treated slaves by withholding civil rights, we are now withholding this basic right from our brothers and sisters.
ReplyDeleteDespite my disgust and shame that I feel all too often for this country, I would say that I am proud of how far we have come, and I am proud of our ability to change and adapt. I look forward to the day when equality is universal, and this country fulfills its destiny.
I honestly cannot consider myself to be American. I feel that the seperation of humanity by imaginary borders to signify countries is a fictional production of too many closed minds. I do not see myself as a citizen of America, but as a daughter of Mother Earth.
ReplyDeleteOn that note, I am VERY proud to be born and living on Earth. It's the best place in the solar system for life, as well as the only place to get a cheesy melty Chick-fil-A breakfast burrito.
--Jess Curtis (because I doubt using my LiveJournal account to post this includes my real name)
I am very proud to be an American. We as Americans all complain about one thing or another, whether it is paying taxes, or our opinions about health care, or whatever the case may be, but in my eyes it all evens up in some way. I did 8 years in the military and I have been to many many different countries. After seeing how some other origins have to live in their country, I am very very blessed to be able to live in this country. We have it good to an extent.
ReplyDeleteI can say I'm proud to be an American for what America should stand for. We’ve helped so many different countries within the last hundred years and yes we've done a lot of good but we've also made mistakes along the way. We have freedom of speech unlike other countries and some of those places would either shoot you on the spot or take you to prison.
ReplyDeleteI’m grateful that we still have a military of men and women willing to kill and/or die for our freedom. I’m also grateful that my country allows me to have a religion or not without attempting to kill me because of my beliefs.
Although we still discriminate here, it's gotten better over the years. Women can hold a job instead of staying at home and taking care of the children. Anyone of the legal age can vote, drink, or smoke if they choose. Yes, there are consequences for doing something against the law. There has to be some rules we have to follow otherwise people would do whatever.
When I look at it from a global point of view, and how can I not in this modern global world, I have to honestly say I am not proud to be American. We, on the whole, are a bunch of self-centered arrogant pig-headed people that automatically believe we are right about everything and have the right, and some would believe obligation, to tell the rest of the world how they should act, what they should believe, and even how they should govern themselves. Our military, which should be defending this country, tries to act like a global police force, going as far as invading other countries and overthrowing their government simply because we don't like them -- this is not defending, all this does is make more enemies to threaten this country.
ReplyDeleteIts no wonder a large portion of world hates us, not to the point that they are about to invade or attack us, but generally speaking it's only our pocket books that aren't looked on with disdain.
Now I am not saying that I don't enjoy the freedoms our constitution grants us - though in this day and age the true extent of those can be debated, but that's another topic. However, we do need to be careful with how we wield those freedoms... currently we wave them around to the rest of the world like they are the greatest thing ever and everyone should adopt them even if they aren't ready too... just look at the past 6 months, how many wars have our freedoms sparked in countries that aren't ready for them?
Asking if I'm proud to be an American is just another way of asking if I'm patriotic and I can say out loud and proudly...I am not. I also don't hate this country either. I've been to other countries. Hell, I lived in Italy for 5 years, so I do have some perspective. I can honestly say that this country is no better than any other country I've been to. This country has many flaws, many many many many many flaws. The ability to breed hate is quite astounding in this country. There is also an underlying love of war. Another thing that disturbs me about this country is the fact that so many people are willing to give up personal freedoms for the illusion of being safe. I'm sorry, airlines you can't feel me up or blast me with radiation just so you can pretend like that's going to deter someone from getting a bomb on the plane. I could rant on for a very long time about all this, but I'll stop here. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, no I'm not proud to be an American.
ReplyDeleteAm I proud to be an American? This is a question that I do not have to ponder on for to long: yes I am very proud. No matter the crazy stuff that makes this country the best and worst in the whole scheme things. Yeah sure there are things that need to be updated, like our laws and how taxes are set up for the people. Heck, even how our hard working veterans get treated after their times of service have come to an end get the out dated stuff and can no longer help themselves survive in this growing populace. All in all, I can say that I am proud to be an American, just to what gets done to us.
ReplyDeleteI feel that people forget that America is not just North America, but it also includes South America. Even though I am from Colombia I feel that I am an American in the sense that I am from South America. I feel that there is too much red tape when it comes to business, partnership, travel, health and education between North and South America. I feel that it should be more combined and both countries should help each other and work to benefit both the North and the South.
ReplyDeleteI can say I'm proud to be an American. However, I can agree that many of the United States policies has its faults, but what country doesn't? Definitely in comparison with other countries, I think I have a pretty nice life; I'm not degraded for being a woman, there is religious tolerance (according to the Amendment, but society confines it to a degree), I am able to work, drive, eat what I want, dress how I want, and have free speech (which is also confined to a degree). Whether I agree with our country's modern cultures views on about anything, the fact is there is freedom for expression.
ReplyDeleteNow, I could go on a huge rant complaining about the inflation of higher education, health care, the cost of living VS income ratio, etc, but at the same time, I think to myself, "what if I were born in a third world country? What if I were killed because I voiced a personal opinion against the popular religion of where ever I were to be born? What if food, shelter, and clothing were scarce?"
My mother was born in Saigon during the Vietnam War and migrated to the US when she was sixteen. Compared to the life she had to live until she was able to get out of the warzone, and even the destructive family life lived because she strived to be a typical American teenager, I feel like I have a pretty darn good life.
I am proud to be an American. There are things that I would change if I was the first female president of the United States. Despite the changes I would have, I feel we are an extremely lucky to live in a country that we can walk down the street and know that we have rights.
ReplyDeleteI would say I am thankful that I am an American. I have rights that many other countries dont have and more opportunities. I am grateful that I have opportunits to work, which allows me to have a car, place to live, and to put food on the table.
ReplyDeleteI have often thought about this specific topic. I've met people from all over the world and often asked how their country differs from America. I hate to say it but I end up going on and on about how horrible America seems. Taxes, Speed limits, the school system, health care, so on and so forth. Then I am humbly reminded we, as Americans,have the most sought after commodity...FREEDOM! Unfortunately that can't be exported. After thinking about all the freedoms we possess, I've realized the only reason I am not proud to be an American is because we take our freedom for granted and so easily forget our freedom wasn't free.
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ReplyDeleteI'm proud to be an American. I was born and raised here in Indiana. My parents on the other hand aren't from this country. They came without a penny and got their American citizenship a few years before I was born. They have made a life out of themselves here and living out their American dream. We live in a nice house, have nice cars, and we don't have to worry about money. I am extremely proud of them and where they are now. There are some things I would like to change in the system also with taxes and gas prices but those are just the little things that we all have to adjust to. We are fortunate though to have freedom, many opportunities, and programs to help those in need. Not many countries are able to do that.
ReplyDeleteI am proud to be an American. I believe we have a rich (not necessarily monetarily) country, with a variety of beautiful landscapes, and interesting people. I do not agree with certain aspects of the leadership, or recent events, but I love my country. I think to be truly American you have to challenge the established government, in order to ensure that it is still serving the people, as our founders intended. I believe that it is not today. I've heard people say things like "if you don't like it, move to Russia!" well... honestly, Russia is a democracy now.
ReplyDeleteNot a lot to be said about this post. I am an 8 year Army veteran. Having spent 2 tours over seas( Iraq and Afghanistan) I can only say that freedom isn't free.I think giving 8 years of my life to my country and laying my life down for freedom and the American way of life says enough.
ReplyDeleteI would say that I am very proud of my country at times and at other times I don't really feel very proud. I was raised by two Marines and have always been proud of my parents for the sacrifices they made for our country and the good they tried to create. But I am not blind to the fact that our government doesn't tell us the truth in regard to what should be "public knowledge". Also I'm sure that because we are governed by humans who are no more perfect then you or I. People make mistakes accidentally and intentionally. But all in all I would have to say that I'm proud of The United States.
ReplyDeleteAMERICA!! i would have to say that i am proud to be an American, i think that its ok.
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