A happy and blessed Independence Day to my countrymen and women.
We hear a lot, from the left and the right talking heads and politicians, about how much is wrong with our country. How someone else is ruining it, how this is fallen and this is corrupt, and how we all need to "take our country back."
But as Charles and I have driven through the West, the North and now the Midwest (we'll get to you East and South, we promise!)....our country is not in the shambles that those who make their livelihoods off of fear mongering and hatred would have us believe.
In big cities and small towns, rural roads and major boulevards, we see Americans helping Americans. We see signs for fundraisers for ill neighbors, or raffles to send a local kid to college. We see potlucks and picnics, and the Stars and Stripes hang from the homes of Democrat and Republican alike. We see parents and community members supporting local school events, and festivals where people of multiple faiths and all all political leanings attend.
At food banks there are liberals and conservatives working side by side to feed the hungry. We see people of all ethnicities and backgrounds working together to effect change for society. At times of mourning people come together, and they don't ask ask the man next to them what political party is he from before they join in prayer and grief. In times of celebration, we see people rejoicing together as neighbors.
We, as a country, are proud of our young men and women who join the military to support their country, and we salute them without asking what their voter registration is. We honor our heroes who rush into burning buildings, or save drowning children, or teach the struggling masses without quizzing them first on whether they agree with a certain politician or not.
We all want the same things, no matter where we are from. We want safe communities, good jobs and good schools. We want to be able to worship and celebrate in peace, and we want fairness across the land. We want strong families and good friendships.
We, my friends, are more than how we vote. We are more than just the community we live in. We are more than our professions, more than our hobbies and more than our interests.
We are a people forged in hope, proved in battle, generous in aid, and deep in love for our fellow Americans. We are proud of our soldiers and proud of those who have spent a lifetime working for peace.
We have our problems as a nation, but we are more blessed than we realize. We have fractures in society, but we are more bonded than we know.
We need to stop listening to those who want to tell us how divided we are from our neighbors, and tell them instead how united we are as a nationwide community.
We need to tell those in power, in media (on all sides) and in large business, that we will not be turned against each other for their gain. That we will see, and talk with, each other with respect, civility and brotherhood.
We are Americans. And for all the problems our land may have, we are still a blessed people. When you see the news across the world, the wars, the famines, the persecutions, the deprivations, and then stop to look around you, you see how much we have and how much we take for granted. While we can improve, as all people and countries can, we have a wonderful foundation and heritage.
That is worth celebrating.
So Happy Birthday, America. And Happy Independence Day to all of our friends, thank you for being part of what makes this country so great.
However you are celebrating today (Charles and I are going to a concert, picnic and fireworks in a nearby town) take a moment to realize how blessed you are. Hug your family and friends, and wish a neighbor a Happy 4th. Cherish each other, your community and your country.
We hear a lot, from the left and the right talking heads and politicians, about how much is wrong with our country. How someone else is ruining it, how this is fallen and this is corrupt, and how we all need to "take our country back."
But as Charles and I have driven through the West, the North and now the Midwest (we'll get to you East and South, we promise!)....our country is not in the shambles that those who make their livelihoods off of fear mongering and hatred would have us believe.
In big cities and small towns, rural roads and major boulevards, we see Americans helping Americans. We see signs for fundraisers for ill neighbors, or raffles to send a local kid to college. We see potlucks and picnics, and the Stars and Stripes hang from the homes of Democrat and Republican alike. We see parents and community members supporting local school events, and festivals where people of multiple faiths and all all political leanings attend.
At food banks there are liberals and conservatives working side by side to feed the hungry. We see people of all ethnicities and backgrounds working together to effect change for society. At times of mourning people come together, and they don't ask ask the man next to them what political party is he from before they join in prayer and grief. In times of celebration, we see people rejoicing together as neighbors.
We, as a country, are proud of our young men and women who join the military to support their country, and we salute them without asking what their voter registration is. We honor our heroes who rush into burning buildings, or save drowning children, or teach the struggling masses without quizzing them first on whether they agree with a certain politician or not.
We all want the same things, no matter where we are from. We want safe communities, good jobs and good schools. We want to be able to worship and celebrate in peace, and we want fairness across the land. We want strong families and good friendships.
We, my friends, are more than how we vote. We are more than just the community we live in. We are more than our professions, more than our hobbies and more than our interests.
We are a people forged in hope, proved in battle, generous in aid, and deep in love for our fellow Americans. We are proud of our soldiers and proud of those who have spent a lifetime working for peace.
We have our problems as a nation, but we are more blessed than we realize. We have fractures in society, but we are more bonded than we know.
We need to stop listening to those who want to tell us how divided we are from our neighbors, and tell them instead how united we are as a nationwide community.
We need to tell those in power, in media (on all sides) and in large business, that we will not be turned against each other for their gain. That we will see, and talk with, each other with respect, civility and brotherhood.
We are Americans. And for all the problems our land may have, we are still a blessed people. When you see the news across the world, the wars, the famines, the persecutions, the deprivations, and then stop to look around you, you see how much we have and how much we take for granted. While we can improve, as all people and countries can, we have a wonderful foundation and heritage.
That is worth celebrating.
So Happy Birthday, America. And Happy Independence Day to all of our friends, thank you for being part of what makes this country so great.
However you are celebrating today (Charles and I are going to a concert, picnic and fireworks in a nearby town) take a moment to realize how blessed you are. Hug your family and friends, and wish a neighbor a Happy 4th. Cherish each other, your community and your country.
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