We’re free to practice any religion. We’re free to express our opinions. Our Founding Fathers wanted to create a country in which its people could have a say in the leadership, and that’s exactly what they did.
However, with all the turmoil of the 2016 Presidential election and the recent wars and economic downfalls, I believe people are failing to see why the United States is still a country to believe in. Yes, political parties and thought have divided us, but at the end of the day, we should count ourselves lucky that we live in a country in which we can live so freely. I have highlighted some of the key points that we, as Americans, should remember when we think about our beautiful country.
1. We have a say in our leadership.
I mentioned this above, but it's one of the most crucial things to remember. The United States was created as a Republic, and that's something all Americans should have pride in. There are so few countries in this world where the people can directly decide their local leaders all the way on up to federal leaders. The fact that American citizens can choose these people is exciting. And, yes, through this process, we form our own opinions and thought processes and tend to line up with one party or the other, but that's part of the excitement. One of the beautiful things about this country is the diversity in thought. So when you get fed up, just remember that there are countries around the world whose people get no say in who leads their government.
2. America itself is equal opportunity.
Whether you have your doctorate or a high school diploma or a GED, there are opportunities for everyone around the United States. America relies on doctors, educators, farmers, and cashiers. Of course, there are infinite other careers that make the country run--these are merely a sample. It doesn’t matter who you are. Everyone has a skill set that they can use to contribute to society--they just have to choose to use it. In other countries, you may have a certain talent or skill, but who you are might choose what you do. If you’re a female, you might stay at home, and if you're a child, you might be working in factories creating clothing or accessories that will get shipped elsewhere. In America, we can choose our lives and succeed in any way. Yes, our higher education system might be in need of reform, but the fact that we can choose higher education at all is a privilege.
3. People fought and gave their lives to achieve the system we have now
America as it is now did not happen easily. Early colonists, such as John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and so may others, devoted their lives to building the United States from the ground up. They started with the First Continental Congress, created the Articles of Confederation and realized those didn’t work, created the Second Continental Congress that began meeting in the summer of 1775, declared independence from Great Britain, and created the American Constitution that is still the Law of the Land today. During this time was the American Revolutionary War. Literally, blood was shed and lives were devoted to creating the country we now live in. We tend to take that for granted, but I believe we shouldn’t. The Framers worked too hard for us to lose faith in this great nation.
So, yes, this country has its flaws—just as everything in this world does. But for years, people have been seeking refuge in America and still are. If you ask people in other countries who are trying to leave, I bet they would tell you that they want to live in America because it is the land of second chances. So if that’s the case, doesn’t the country itself deserve a second chance? I still believe in America and I hope you do, too.
