Recently, I was asked a question that caused my to step back and think for a bit. Although its not my question, I think it deserves a post so here goes:
What are you proud of in America?
Ironic repeat of the title huh? Much more importantly, how many of you can respond to this question quickly, or easily? In the years during the last world war, our country came together in ways which we have never seen before. Women went to factories to make supplies for the war, industry boomed, and the morale of the country soared. We were proud of our automobile industry, we were proud of your banking system, and we were proud of wall street. We were proud of the airline industry, because it was the best in the world. We were proud of medical care in our great country, it was the most advanced, and even more quickly advancing. We were proud of the retail giants like Sears Robuck, which began to grow and prosper. We were proud of our freedom. We were proud to be American.
Now what are we proud of? Wall street is full or crooks and bankers only trying to take your money. ’Big oil’ is taking our money and giving it to terrorists. We can’t be proud of our military, those soldiers are over in foreign countries killing babies and civilians. Our pharmaceutical industry is just out to over-medicate us and take more of your money, they don’t care about you. And insurance, there is definitely something to hate as well. They take all our money and they won’t even give health coverage to everyone who needs it! Walmart, and other large retail companies, well, we can’t be proud of them, they are anti-union, they don’t take care of their workers. And the airlines, they just over charge everyone and squeeze you in like sardines to take your money and make a bigger profit. Our automobile companies, we’re not proud of them, they make cheap cars, far inferior to foreign japanese and european cars.
So what can we be proud of anymore? More importantly, step back. Where has all of this hatred for America come from. I don’t understand how we can be so unhappy with everything around us, when we, as Americans, all choose to live here, and choose to pursue our dreams. This country is the very reason we have the opportunity to do that. Who is demonizing all of these things, who is making so many aspects of the American way seem evil and inferior? Of course, I’ll leave it up to you to decide. I’ve left a thread in the forum, under politics, titled: What are you proud of in America? I would love to see everyone respond. I honestly want to hear what we, as Americans, are proud of.
As for this article and concept. I have taken it from someone you all know. The link to the actual transcript is here, if you would like to read it. And of course, I thank Rush Limbaugh for putting into words something that has been bothering me for sometime.
I’m working on a post about Paul Volcker, the federal reserve chairman before Greenspan whose legacy is high inflation and a high misery index, as well as a response to the guys who commented on What’s Happening To The Economy. Stay tuned, and check the forum too.
Tags: america, evil media, freedom, Politics, rush limbaugh
December 1st, 2008 at 8:13 am
Great article!
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I am proud that I can be pissed off and disappointed at almost everything that Rush Limbaugh, Anne Coulter, and Bill O’Reilly say.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Great Article, Its a hard question.
I am proud that the conuntry is getting more experience on the ” real world ” every day .. Im proud of that.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Great article which leads, I think, to a bigger question: Do we have to be proud of America to be proud of our lives? I’m full of pride over my life and the people in it, but the country as a whole? That’s a little bit harder to answer.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I am proud to live in a country that allows us to write and comment on articles such as this.
December 12th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Excellent article.
December 14th, 2008 at 11:33 am
I am not American but I would be proud of the fact that as a nation America has given aid both in cash and kind to various countries and continues to do so regardless of its woes.
December 16th, 2008 at 12:40 am
nice article. being an indian,i appriciate this article
December 17th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
That’s a good question, what can we be proud of in this country right now with rising unemployment, hostility, dirty politics, and prejudices. My husband just lost his job, so I am feeling less and less proud of the country we live in where people will stab one another in the back to get ahead. I guess the only thing I can feel proud of is our resilience at this point… which is also slowly dwindling.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I’m proud we elected Barack Obama
December 19th, 2008 at 2:46 am
This article was thoughtful and insightful, it is good to see your opinons, come true. I will read this blog more often.
December 20th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I’m proud that America has a government system and society that can allow for changing elements of the financial system or providing for new regulations that keep everything in check.
December 21st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
As cheesy as it may sound, I’m proud of our protections for freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and how seriously we take them. Until about a month ago I was proud of my state for being one of the few states in the country (and part of a growing number of places in the world) where same-sex marriage was legal. We’re still headed in the right direction, though, overall. So I’m proud of that, despite my disappointment.
December 26th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I am proud to live in a country where people can disagree with their government and speak freely.
I am proud to live in a country where people really do help their fellow man, even though it’s the lousy stuff that makes the news.
January 1st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Very intresting article. I’ve read it twice. Hope to read more of you in 2009.
January 1st, 2009 at 4:06 pm
I am proud of the fact that we are still free to do and say as we will (within reason)
January 1st, 2009 at 6:59 pm
I’m proud that I grew up to be a responsible adult with good values and a decent work ethic. It would have been so easy to slither into some other lifestyle because “everyone else was doing it.” But I have a sense of pride and integrity that was passed on to me by my ancestors, who came here to find a better life. That America allowed them to come and prosper, makes me proud. And I’m so proud of my grandparents, who had a lot of hardship when they came here. I only wish I could talk to them now about what they went through.
January 6th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Good article though but still admire america and americans.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:06 am
The part about the fact that we “all choose to live here” is not strictly correct. In this economy, it’s harder to leave than to stay. It takes money to leave, you can’t show up elsewhere penniless with no opportunities.
However, while the economy may be poor, and our government corrupt, the average American is incredibly kind, and willing to do a lot for the people around them. Just look at the amount of money contributed annually to charities by private individuals.
January 9th, 2009 at 4:36 am
I really appreciate the article . Great job. I like the article.
January 9th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I’m proud of the fact that my family fought to help create this country. I’m also proud of the fact, that everyday average American do their best to create the lives they want while also reaching out a helping hand to the less fortunate in their communities.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:13 am
I witnessed not too long ago the beginning of a thinking revolution in America , the start of a path I never imagined possible in a culture seemingly divided and focused on money more than enlightenment .The change every society needs eventually is unavoidable. What is the use of anything, if there is not a higher purpose, which would finally mold chaos into harmony and justice?
I have a grin on my face because I realize I witnessed history in the making ; not because a black man was elected as a leader but because a new way of thinking prevailed the stale, outdated way and out of cadence with the rest of the world.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:52 am
That’s a good question!! Great job. I like the article.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Excellent article! This is definetly an intersting question. Personally I am proud of the freedoms that we have in America. I am very greatful for that.
October 24th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Tough question, given the number of Americans struggling in the current economy… we have a proud history and I only hope that our future will be just as good.
October 25th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
WOW!! What a question and article, this really made me think, am I? Am I proud to be an American? Used to be, but when I see people, news, politics, soldiers, and our economy it is really hard to say that. The immigrants come here for a better life and I don’t think we can say our life is so much better, even our families are falling apart whereas in other places, they take care of their families, sometimes living together for life and making sure if someone is sick that they are taken care of. That is love and a family. Do we really NEED everything we want. We need to take a look at everything and consider getting back to basics, do we even know what that is anymore? Where have our role models gone? In the TV, music, streets? Sad.
December 10th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
What am I proud of in America? I am proud that I have a heritage like that found in Philadelphia, where Independence Hallis located, where the Liberty Bell stands for freedom and liberty. I am proud that there were people like Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. I think that our heritage is what makes us Americans. America is a country founded on the principle of freedom and human rights. I do not know how that will help us in our desperate situation today, except for the fact that they did it, they stood up for what they believed, we should too. I think there needs to be justice for ALL, not just one party (and the silence was deafening..)
May 10th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Excellent post i am sure that i will come back here soon
May 19th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
You post awsome articles. Bookmarked !