Happy 246-years-old to the United States of America
As we come together on July 4 to celebrate the nation’s birthday and Declaration of Independence from the British Empire, take a few minutes to reflect on the challenges we have overcome as a nation and the contributions you, and/or your descendants, have yet to make in the greatest country on Earth – the United States of America.
We are unquestionably lucky to be in the greatest country the world has ever seen. Over its two-hundred- and forty-six-year history, the United States has eradicated slavery, saved the world from Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, contributed the most technological achievements in history to human development, achieved the highest standard of living in the world, are the most generous people in the world and is the world’s breadbasket.
“This country was founded and built by people with great dreams and the courage to take great risks.” — Ronald Reagan
The Lynnwood Times compiled a short list of what makes us a great people and unique in the annals of history. No country is perfect but when it comes to different causes, promoting freedoms, and facing a common enemy, we all stand together as one.
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” — John F. Kennedy
So, hold your head high, wave the Stars’n’Stripes this Fourth of July, and be proud you’re an American!
THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED
The U.S. Constitution is unique in that it recognizes that people’s rights are granted directly from a Creator – not a state – and that the people grant rights to government. The government operates at the privilege of the people. No governance concept on Earth existed with this idea as its fundamental creed.
All other forms of government on Earth rely on the state as the grantor of human rights. Because America’s founders, believed that a government made up of imperfect people exercising power over other people should possess limited powers, they created a constitution to “secure the blessings of liberty” for themselves and for posterity by limiting the powers of government.
The U.S. Constitution delegates to government only those rights the people want it to have and hold all powers not delegated by the Constitution to its citizens.
GOVERNANCE AND MILITARY
Along with the British, the United States put together a system of government that has become the standard in free democracies around the world with laws and a litigation system that addresses discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. Every country in the world that has followed the American/British system of government and free market capitalism enjoys prosperity, while third-world countries have been born from socialism, communism, and dictatorships.
With an annual budget of $801 billion, the United States has the strongest military by far, yet rather than use that power to take over countries, we use it to preserve world peace and stability.
WEALTH AND STANDARD OF LIVING
A person living in poverty in America has a standard of living that would be considered wealthy in most countries of the world. Most Americans living below the poverty level are well-fed and have cars, TVs, clothing, a roof over their heads, healthcare, and many other items that would be considered luxuries in 3rd World countries. The American government takes care of its poorest citizens with an endless array of benefits–welfare, food stamps, Medicaid & Medicare, job training, college grants, tax credits, and so on.
The United States has been the world’s largest economy since 1871. The nominal GDP for the United States as of 2021 is $21.44 trillion. Because the U.S. has a free-market system, at $62,406, the United States has the highest Gross Domestic Product per Capita in the world. Anyone can start a business and go from rags-to-riches in the United States.
The American dollar is the world’s Reserve Currency, which is critical to the world’s economy; and American farmers produce more food than any on Earth.
Americans have greater access to the Internet & cell phones than any country in the world and the U.S. has the strongest, most reliable system of public utilities–electricity, water, sewer, etc. No country has as safe and plentiful of quality drinking water as the United States. There is also an abundance of raw materials which is critical to a nation’s geo-political strategic advantage.
Although still too expensive, Americans have health care accessibility to top physicians, medications, surgeries, technology, and other modern medicine that is second to none.
WORLD TECHNOLOGIES AND INNOVATIONS
The United States leads the world in the number of Nobel Laureates with 398. Most world-changing technologies–such as the Internet, personal computer, automobile, airplane, transistor, video games, C coding language, the light bulb, AC power systems, 3D printing, smart phones, and Google search engine–were developed in America.
Most of the greatest medical discoveries and life-changing pharmaceuticals have come from American companies and because of America’s space exploration, the contribution to the knowledge of the universe is second to none.
As of 2018, the U.S. is the world’s largest energy producer.
WE ARE A CHARITABLE NATION
In 2021, the United States Government budgeted $38 billion for foreign aid spending, more than all other countries in the world combined.
U.S. giving in 2021 totaled a near-record $485 billion. U.S. corporations and citizens make more charitable donations than the rest of the world combined. Donations are the highest both in aggregate and per-capita.
Best Post-Secondary Education in the World
American research universities are the best in the world and attract the finest minds globally. We have more top universities than any other nation. It’s no wonder the U.S. remains the most popular destination by far for international students.
MELTING POT OF THE WORLD
America is truly a melting pot. Nowhere else do you find Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, etc. living together in such percentages – no other country is as diverse as the United States.
American history began with immigrants from other countries, who brought their cultures and diversity to this country. America welcomes people from different countries, races, and religions. Ethnic rivalries exist globally, yet, one-by-one, as these ethnic groups have arrived in the U.S., they have assimilated into one group – Americans.
People can dress the way they want, talk the way they want, and even promote their culture without any hesitation.
No country in the world is as tolerant of religious and non-religious beliefs. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindi, Dowists, atheists, agnostics, Satanists, and so on all live together in harmony. No one is prosecuted for their religious or non-religious beliefs.
Most notable is that no nation takes in more immigrants, both legal and illegal, than the United States and is one of only 31 countries in the world that allow same-sex marriages.
The United States truly welcomes people from all different walks of life.
BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AND DIVERSE CULTURE
America is full of beautiful scenery. America has 50 different states that are all full of unique scenery. From sea to shining sea, countless national parks, to the cities and countryside views, to amazing sunrises and sunsets, you will always find beautiful scenery in America.
Every state contains a unique culture. America has a wide diversity of music, food, and movies. The American entertainment culture has been the United States’ most successful export. Also, America has an unmatched set of entertainment options–movies, Netflix, video games, TV, sports, plays, beaches, fitness clubs, music streaming, social media, art galleries, festivals, concerts, and on and on.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
The U.S. is one country where you can openly express your views without the fear of being judged or facing consequences. There are so many countries around the world that have punishments for speaking against the government or religious beliefs.
One of the best things about the U.S. is that one can openly voice concerns about political, ethical, and religious matters without fear of imprisonment or death.
SOURCES
- 35 Reasons Why You Should Feel Proud to Be an American – Politically Incorrect Humor
- 10 Reasons Why You Should Be Proud To Be An American (theodysseyonline.com)
- 4 Reasons Why You Should Be Proud to Be American – Federal Flags®
- Are American Universities Still the Best in the World? | BestColleges
- What Makes The USA Unique (aardy.com)
- Why American Exceptionalism Is Different From Other Countries’ “Nationalisms” | The Heritage Foundation
- The Unique Idea of the American Constitution (nccs.net)
- Our Ten Contributions to Civilization – The Atlantic
Does a fish know that its wet? All of these astounding freedoms, opportunities and benefits of being a US citizen are lost amongst people who have not worked and lived elsewhere.
This article stands out amongst the cacophony of self flagellating news articles that focus on the faults of the USA.
From the pride that comes from being an American comes the courage to dream big and pursue those dreams. Amongst the billions of people that walked the earth over the centuries we are thr lucky 0.1 percent !