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I don’t know about you but I’m really tired of hearing all the complaints about America and how she’s just not great anymore. I’ve spent enough time in my life traveling the world over, including third world countries, to know that America is a very blessed nation filled with opportunities, freedoms and blessings that 99% of this world will never know.
I’m also going to take issue with the current rhetoric that we need to make America great again because I don’t believe she’s ever stopped being great! I don’t believe for a second that she has lost her greatness, as some would have us believe. I concur that it is worrisome and troubling that some very important fundamental freedoms such as religious liberty are under fire (which will require unwavering perseverance in defending), but by no means has America completely lost her greatness and here are the reasons why.
- Her history and Godly heritage – Part of what makes America great is her Godly heritage and history which is replete with stories of sacrifice, courage and faith in the Almighty and His power to deliver from oppression, tyranny and persecution. Faith in the darkest of times, gratitude and thanksgiving in the best of times. Pilgrims who sought religious freedom, men who kept on fighting for the cause of freedom with empty bellies and only rags on their feet. Women who hid soldiers, artillery and ran secret missions at the peril of their own lives. Women who tore to shreds their fine dresses and linens to bind up the wounded. That’s the fight and commitment to freedom that runs deep in America.
- Her people -We are without a doubt, the most diverse yet inclusive culture in the world. Americans are charitable (the most charitable nation on earth), kind, hard working dreamers. We strive for excellence, are achievers and quickly rebound from failure and offer encouragement to others along the way. We don’t back down to bullies who threaten the welfare and safety of those we love, or our fellow Americans, and we never hesitate when called upon to help someone in need. And in spite of all the negative reporting you hear about the decline of America’s faith in God, the majority of Americans still believe in, worship and honor God.
- Her land and resources – America is a land blessed with overwhelming beauty. Her gorgeous mountains, deserts, beaches, rivers, lakes, forests and parklands. To this list add all the resources God has bestowed upon her. Rich farmlands and plenty of good water sources that produce ample food for her citizens; enough to share with less fortunate countries around the world. And if that isn’t enough America is blessed with oil, coal and a plethora of minerals.
- Her government – God prepared and made ready this land of the free through the bravery, courage and sacrifice of common people like you and me; by our Founding Fathers who under constant personal threat established a divinely inspired Constitution that produced a government and election process that offers “We the People” an opportunity to personally impact the direction of this great nation. A system of justice based on the rule of law, presumption of innocence, right to a fair trial and a government established to protect the rights of citizens. Nowhere else on earth will you find this quality of life and freedom.
- Her economy – The entrepreneurial spirit and free enterprise system we enjoy in this country is a tremendous blessing. It is because we are at liberty to follow our creativity and passions that we have become such an economic force in the world. All Americans through discipline and hard work are free to excel and prosper, no matter race, religion or nationality. The possibilities are endless!
- Her services – This country is spread from east to west and north to south with markets filled with food for our consumption and government food subsidies to help those who need financial assistance. We have hospitals, urgent care centers, The American Red Cross, private charities and churches all standing by ready to help any and all who are in need. There are schools and universities––from sea to shining sea––where our children can go and learn to read and write, advance in higher learning and train for professions that at one time only the very rich could achieve. We have cars and public transportation systems, shopping malls laden with consumer goods with something affordable for everyone. Police and firemen who put their lives on the line everyday for our safety, not to mention our brave men and women in the military who give up family and comforts of life to make sure you and I can go to sleep every night in peace.
Even though I’ve listed many reasons why I believe America is still great I also believe there are problems in America today … but they have nothing to do with her greatness. I believe the problems America is currently facing is because her leadership is not great.
Consider the following quotes of men and women who served, sacrificed and influenced this nation for the better in years gone by; The Founding Fathers … great exemplary leaders who gave their all for America, “Who more than self their country loved.”
Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country. – George Washington, upon fumbling for his glasses before delivering the Newburgh Address, March 15,1783
It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be coextensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn. – George Washington
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition or revenge would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. – John Adams, The Works of John Adams, ed. C. F. Adams, Boston: Little, Brown Co., 1851, 4:31
A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than a whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will they be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader … If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security.
If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin. – Samuel Adams, Letter to James Warren, February 12,1779
Great necessities call out great virtues. – Abigail Adams
If it be asked, What is the most sacred duty, the greatest source of our security in a Republic? The answer would be, inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws – the first growing out of the last. A sacred respect for the
constitutional law is the vital principle, the sustaining energy of a free government – Alexander Hamilton,1794, Essay in the American Daily Advertiser
We the People are the rightful masters of both Congress and the Courts–not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution. – Abraham Lincoln
The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them. – Patrick Henry
I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by the gradual and silent encroachment of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpation. – President James Madison, Virginia Convention, 1788
Only a man’s character is the real criterion of worth. – Eleanor Roosevelt
I suggest that instead of blindly or emotionally embracing one of the presumptive Presidential nominee’s mantras or hollow campaign slogans, you really think about these quotes and the impact of wrongful leadership before you decide who you think is best suited to “keep America great.” Hopefully pondering all of this will help put into perspective the tremendous importance of the upcoming election.
And as you gather with friends and family to celebrate America’s Independence, I hope you will take the time to make your own list of what you believe makes America great. In this extremely negative political environment in which we find ourselves, it will definitely lift your spirits and make you feel better. Happy 4th to all!
MaryannJuly 9, 2016
Although I am overflowing with gratitude for the many blessings I enjoy as an American, I am not naive. My love for my country does not blind me to the downward spiral of immorality we are witnessing in this country. I am appalled at the disintegration of moral values I have seen in my lifetime and shocked at how quickly it has happened. How can we call America "great" when abortion is rampant and personal purity is becoming more and more rare? When it has become "politically correct" to turn a blind eye to corruption? America is only as great as her people. Of course, there are many great and exemplary people in our nation, but we cannot turn a blind eye to the growing wickedness of our society. I would say that Donald Trump's call to "Make America Great Again" is timely and appropriate---a clarion call for all of us.
SharonJuly 5, 2016
So well said Rynna. Renewed my spirit that we can hold strong.