Why I Love America?

I love every concept the Statue of Liberty stands for – that individual liberty is held above the objectives of government – that, as Washington and Jefferson said, America imparts good will toward all and threatens no one – that this country is so big-hearted and prosperous it can welcome people from all over the world fleeing oppression or poverty.

I love the Bill of Rights – the most noble document ever written to define the limits that government should obey.

I love the concepts of free speech, absolute privacy and religious freedom embodied in our traditions and our Constitution.

I love the rule of law – the right of accused persons to confront their accusers, the right to an attorney, the right to remain silent, the right to refuse admission to government officials wanting to enter your home or office.

These are just some of the things that have made America unique in the history of the world. They are a direct cause of America's prosperity, of our security, of what makes America attractive.

We celebrate the greatness of America this week with gratitude and pride, but also with an understanding that greatness does not preclude our previous failures. Since those midsummer nights of Roman candles and sparklers in the backyard, America has redefined itself again and again. There have been expansive, changed attitudes toward gender and ethnicity, a readiness to face dark secrets of the nation's past and repent of them, authentic tolerance for various ways of being different.

I love America because there are so many voices here. There is Neil Diamond and Cookie Monster, Ann Coulter and Hillary Clinton, Bill Cosby and Sarah Palin, Oprah Winfrey, Bill O’Reilly, and Simon Cowell. When I think of all the voices in America, I am grateful for what our forefathers fought for.
I love America because each state is a different country and when I am all bundled up in Michigan when it is a bone-numbing ten degrees outside, family members are in Florida in shorts and sandals.

One of my favorites, I think, is in Michigan if I ask someone where they are from, they will hold up their right hand and point somewhere on it

I love America because it offered a home to my immigrant mother, gave her a place to raise her children. I love America because there is a festival here for every conceivable occasion, celebrating the strawberry harvest, the antique motorcycle, the first day the mall opened, the most poised six-year-old girl and the go-carts. There are Greek Orthodox festivals, hippies run amuck festivals, black nationalism hiphop festivals, Sun Dance Warrior festivals, Japanese cherry blossom festivals, lunar new year festivals, gang truce festivals, and Mennonite quilting festivals here in America

OK, here are my top ten Why I Love America’s:

1. I can have as many children as I want, or have none at all
2. I can marry anyone I choose
3. I can own a house
4. I can have an opinion and express it
5. I have the right of trial by jury
6. I am free
7. I can go to any church I want to
8. I can go to the grocery store and find a variety of food
9. I have access to medical care
10. I can pursue my dream

I love America…despite all its faults, blemishes, and spots. I realize that there are a lot of people in the world who envy where I live!