I Heart America

God I love America.

I don’t love it in the “look how many patriotic things I can say or how many flags I have” kind of way. Far from that blind “love” that overlooks flaws and breeds animosity towards everyone else. Definitely not in the way a man loves a woman.

No. My love for this country is much different.

Almost every day I stop and think about how lucky I am to be living in the good ol’ USA in this time period. We have our problems and there are many things that need to be worked on, but it is still amazing.

We have a society that values liberty and prosperity. It can get lost in itself at times, but at its core it is an amazing system of checks and balances. Our country has remained firm even with all of the politicians’ attempts to muck things up.

I can go out into the street and proudly proclaim my religious or political beliefs without worrying if my head will still be in place the next day. Even today, there are too many countries where this would be impossible. I may not like what crazy nonsense some people have to say, but I love that we are all able to say it.

Just think about it. Many Americans live the life that would be exclusively reserved for royalty a few centuries ago. Clean water comes out of pipes, food is affordable and we have access to a universe of entertainment. We all live like kings and don't even know it sometimes.

Capitalism has given birth to a world of comforts and opportunity for those who want to work for it.

My dreams can be achieved through hard work. America has a culture that values work ethic and intelligence. My country will let me fly as far as my aspirations will take me.

Again, it isn’t perfect. But why love something unless you can accept its flaws?

I wouldn’t want to live in a country without a democracy like America. Here I am free because of the sacrifices made by so many in the name of liberty.

I am not a religious man in the monotheistic sense. I don’t have blind faith in my government and the decisions it makes. Yet, I cannot help but wish the best for my country and the amazing people in it using the timeless phrase:

God Bless America.