iThis Is America: JFF

I wish I had a fun, uplifting answer but I don't.

Just about everything that made this country great is being stolen, plundered, adulterated or sent elsewhere.

I dream of a country where we make our own stuff again, and we don't eat Franken-food. I dream of a country that doesn't poison children on a routine basis in the name of profits. I dream of a country where there aren't cameras at every intersection and stop light, and where the police stop bad guys (instead of harassing people for revenue generation). I dream of a nation where people actually read, study, discuss and practice the Constitution. I dream of a nation where elected officials view their term of office as temporary, and service to their country - vs. a permanent power base for their own financial gain. I dream of a country where the races stop falling into the "hate each other" trap that the power elite use to divide us.

I'm thankful for the many good people here that I have known, and that I descend from. I'm proud of those people. I just wish the good people would wake up.

As for the things I love - God, my family and especially my children, the oceans, the mountains, dogs, horses, early morning sunrise, that beautiful color right before sunset, Christmas mornings . . .

E.:

Welcome to America!

What makes me proud to be an American? Many things - our ability to speak freely - our opportunities to be successful - anything you want to be!! That we still have freedom FROM Religion...the State doesn't mandate what we shall practice....our military!! who put their lives on the line daily...especially those serving in Afghanistan and other hostile areas. I love that WE are the country EVERY OTHER country IN THE WORLD comes to for help and aid. I don't like that as soon as they get what they need from us - they spit on us and call us names...

I love the diversity of our country....not just because it's a "melting pot" but our LAND is diverse...we have fields of corn, hay, etc., mountains sooo high they are snow capped all year long, a Grand Canyon, oceans, fresh water, salt water, bayous, swamps, forests, deserts, aaaahhh The Painted Desert - wow....

Now do I like the way some things are? Nope. I don't like how race still is a factor in so many peoples lives. I wish people would just want to be an AMERICAN instead of X-American. Being hyphenated like that means TO ME that you carry the first as more important than being an AMERICAN.

Do I like that our country has lost its way? Oh heck yeah. I know there are some who still value the Constitution and don't want it ripped to shreds...unfortunately, there are those that find our Constitution "outdated" and not worth a hill of beans...those that want to destroy it.

I don't like that many are a "see it, want it, buy it" - they believe in instant fixes and don't see how years of ignoring things have brought our country to its knees financially, morally...that entitlement has breed a nasty portion of our country and is costing us dearly.

There are sooo many wonderful things about our country. Like everywhere else, we aren't perfect...but that's life.

I remember as a child asking my grandma why did you come to America? To me going to Sicily would be beyond amazing! She said it was the land of opportunity though she could never point out any opportunities because she came here when she was eight so had no idea what growing up in Sicily would have been.

Still she seemed happy with her parents choice so all good.

Still as an adult I do realize what she was talking about. Things in her government were corrupt, they were swaying towards even more government control so to her our government where you could do what you want, make of yourself what you want without the government interfering was a promise worth reaching for.

She must be rolling over in her grave now. :p

It least to me that is the greatest promise of America, be what you are willing to work for. Even though I will probably never be crazy wealthy it is that I can that makes work worth it.

I have never lived anywhere else, so I cannot compare America to any other country. However, my story is different from most. My parents were both Polish immigrants who came to America in 1950 from Germany. My mother was taken away by the Nazi's at 13 years old and put to work in a concentration camp in 1939. It was an awful, awful time in Poland. She met my dad in Germany and they married there. Later, they had a the chance to leave Germany. They could either live in Australia, Canada, or the U.S. They chose the U.S. They never wanted to return to Poland or Europe not even to visit their family. They raised their children to adopt the American way of life, hence becoming totally Americanized. It was not easy either. They both faced prejudice here too. Not all Americans were accepting of immigrants. However, my parents believed that America was the best country to live in. The very next day after my dad got off the boat at Ellis Island, he found a job in a factory and began making a way of life. He was paid $.90 per hour and worked his way up. My mother got a part-time job at night to help make ends meet. They saved every penny that they could to buy a house. My parents proudly flew the American flag on every single patriotic holiday. My dad applied for citizenship as soon as he was able to. They were proud of their new found freedom and grateful to have opportunities. My parents always said that they won the lottery by being allowed to come to America because now they could work hard and make a life for themselves without the fear of some regime taking everything. Although we are proud of our Polish heritage, my sister, brother and I are proud Americans. We were raised that way:)

oh, i love your vision of america! it's idealized, but so what? idealizations are a great vision to hold onto.
i grew up in bermuda, so as a child america to me meant cars that went dizzyingly fast, dairy queens, mountains and the smell of cut hay (we vacationed in utah.) i still feel that way a lot of the time. i really love america. i love the vast tracts of still-untouched wilderness (jeopardized though they are), the notion that individuals are important (even if it's not actually true any more), the opportunities to totally transform one's life (limited as they're becoming), and the ideal of freedom (which is seriously tarnished.)
there are things that terrify me about my country- what's happening in education, the callous disregard to the health care of the majority of americans and the stubborn refusal to address it, the horrifying willful ignorance when it comes to the science and technology of the ecological problems we face, our endless war doctrine, and the downward spiraling state of our government.
but even with these seemingly insurmountable challenges, i love america. i love my childhood home, and i love my newly-discovered ancestral home, england. i hope one day to visit my spiritual home, greece, and expect i'll love it too. and i think europe is in a state of chaos that will result in new and exciting beginnings for many of the countries there, beginnings that will hopefully keep traditional flavor while offering new opportunities. i think we're a ways away from that here. disintegration precedes rebirth. but even in decline america is great, and as long as we hang onto our ideals, there's a chance we can find leaders who will truly inspire us to get back to 'em.
:) khairete
S.

I am proud of our volunteer military force that join with ideals of protecting and preserving freedom. I am proud that my two daughters and my son (who is Autistic) all have rights and opportunities to thrive and succeed and the protections from discrimination afforded them by our government.

I am proud of the American spirit of innovation and exploration that led the way in the Space Race. I am proud of the successful and famous who use their powers for good and are drawn to a life of philanthropy.

I am proud of the dissent and the rights afforded those voices that rise in disagreement. I am very proud of the Hope living in the hearts of Americans who look forward to an even better day. I am most proud of those actively working toward improvements, but yes, I am even a little proud of the rights of those who don't and just sit back and complain. Ain't it grand to be an American?

I think Angela S. summed it up very well.

There are too many things about America that sadden me to the point that I am almost ashamed to be an American. And if Americans keep voting chuckle heads into all levels of government then we will soon be the worst country to live in.

The good things here are:
Our land is the most diverse than any other IMO, the Grand Canyon, the oceans (on both sides) all of Alaska, Yellowstone Park, wild horses (what’s left of them) etc. It is also wonderful that within a day you can go from snowy cold climate to warm sunny beach climate. For now we have some freedoms, but they are disappearing quickly.

I wanted to add that I am thankful for all the people that volunteer for military service. This country does not make that mandatory (at least not right now). It does upset me that our government doesn't take better care of its veterans though. I have had family here since 1750’s and so many of them have served this country.

When I was a child, I visited America a couple times. My mom's family was here. We lived in England, since my dad is English. America to me meant cowboys, bionic men, and lots and lots of money. I expected I would grow up and marry a cowboy - we English girls thought they were wonderful, lol!

When we moved here for good, of course I found out reality doesn't match up. However, the standard of living was noticably higher than we'd experienced in England. I couldn't believe how rich all my new friends were!

My kids have more opportunities here than I believe we would have had in England. I was able to get my BA, and they will probably go on to college, too. I never found the cowboy, though. ; )

Aww I love your thoughts about it!!

I probably take a lot for granted, not having lived anywhere else. I know this. But I do love that America is a melting pot; wired so all these different people, hobbies, interests, religions, family backgrounds, just everything runs together. It might not be perfect, but it's MY country :)

I have only ever lived in America. In the Deep South at that. :)

I love that we have freedom of speech - I love that I can say negative things about my government, my local leaders, whatever, without fear of governmental reprisal. I loved that when I was in my 20s I could openly be a member of organizations that rallied and protested and supported women's rights, and opposed those seeking to curtail those rights and other rights, without fear.

I love the idea that our country was based on religious freedom and that I can practice my religion in the open.

Do I agree with all aspects of my country's history - slavery, oppression of Native Americans, interment of peoples of Japanese descent. etc.? No ,I do not. But I have the freedom to freely teach my son the wrong of these parts of our history in order to raise a man who is open to change and tolerant of all.

I love the diversity of this country. The fact that even in my small area I can hear at least three different languages being spoken and that everyone can still get along and that everyone is pursuing the same dream of a good life for their families.

I love that I have met people from other countries, Vietnam, Mexico, France, Zimbabwe, and more, who have chosen to live here and become part of the American quilt - adding depth to what it means to be American.

This is a country, made of people of varying beliefs and views, as such, it is no utopia. I realistically see the issues that envelope my country - but I also see similar issues in other countries - and worse in other countries. I choose to continue to live in America, to raise my son here, and to support my country - and I relish the freedom to disagree with my country and strive for change and betterment.

Thank you for this question. And welcome home.

this is not the america i dreamed it would be. nothing is easy. you're not easily accepted if you carry along an accent, no matter how presentable you look and how well you communicate. the accent is a dead give away, and an indicator that you are an 'outsider.'
all that and more...this is the country that i know it can be great. this is the home of my children. when i think of america, i think of what it will be for my kids, who are american-born. endless opportunities.

Mostly, I think what embodies the spirit of America is the way people pull together when neighbors experience tough times. It can be truly amazing to see. Even when the "neighbors" are 500 miles away...people basically want to help in whatever way they can.
I like that people that oppose policies of the government are free to discuss, dissent and dissect--in public!
I also like that even the misguided are allowed to voice their opinions.

I think your "vision of America's Fantasy Land" is very cute!

Remember that the Americans that the world sees are probably disproportionally represented by those struggling and experiencing genuine hardship.

While I don't advocate "sharing the wealth" I do advocate FAIRNESS in business and government. Something that has been lacking recently.

All the best! Enjoy your time here!

I think it's cute you associate America with Christmas . Pretty accurate in November and December actually.

I feel like America is an island sometimes.