A few days ago my girlfriend and I were talking politics (not one of the best ideas we've had...) We were talking about the election, the Orlando shooting, the Dallas shooting, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, along with many other topics, I'm sure. We went back and forth giving our opinions about certain issues and finally when the conversation came back to me, I said something that I regret saying: "I'm not proud of this country. I'm not proud to be in this country." At the time I meant it, and as I'm a stubborn person, I would never take it back. But nonetheless, a barrage of screaming came my way. I swear I thought she was going to throw me out of her house! But then she went to the couch and I sat at the table working until enough time had passed for us to cool off and do what most couples do: forget it ever happened. I was fine with that at the time, but looking back I'm ashamed of what I said.

My girlfriend brought up a very key point after I said this. She and I both have grandparents, great-grandparents, relatives and friends who were in the armed forces and fought to protect our freedom. At the time I thought, "Exactly! We are doing them a huge disservice by spurring on hate and violence in this country." But I was wrong. While they may have been disappointed with the way this country is right now, they would be shocked and disgusted with what I said.

Honestly, I can't really justify saying that now. I guess I'm just sick and tired of all the hate that is swirling around this country. I'm tired of waking up what feels like every morning to a notification about five more dead police officers killed by people who think that's the answer. I may not have the answer, but every citizen of the United States of America with even one-quarter of a brain should realize that killing people, especially police officers, only makes this problem worse.

Looking back at what I said makes me sick. I regret saying it and I take it back wholeheartedly. Because this is my country. This is my home. If you woke up one day and looked around your house and it was in ruin and caved in, would you just move out? Just leave it behind for someone else to fix? I sure as hell wouldn't. I'd figure out how to fix it and make it better one day at a time. Because that's my home. That's where I've spent my life. And that's where I intend to spend the rest of my life. Am I happy at where we are currently as a nation? No. Would I change anything about this country? Absolutely. Am I proud to be an American? 100%. And you should be, too.

We can't wait around for people to fix our problems for us. We have to fix them ourselves. So do what you can, when you can and make our home a little better every day.