Proud to Be an American

 

While we are all caught up in the maelstrom of politics and hyperbole, it occurred to me that my heart still swells with pride when I think about being an American citizen. (Hat tip to Henry Racette’s for his latest post.) Although I may never be called to defend this country militarily, I will always defend it through my words and actions. I realized that in spite of all the dissension, nothing has compromised my pride and joy in being an American.

The Founders and the Declaration of Independence

My pride emanates from our founding, rich in its stories and heroic figures. I think of the Founders, who had the courage to stand up to the tyranny of a king and refused to bow to his demands any longer:

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

I am so proud to be part of their legacy.

Later on, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration, and 56 men felt compelled to add their signatures to this auspicious document. Edward Rutledge at 26 was the youngest signer, and Benjamin Franklin, at 70, was the oldest. How admirable and courageous these men were. To make this break took tremendous conviction and daring. I am humbled and grateful for their actions.

The Constitution

Establishing the basic rights and laws for citizens, the US Constitution, ratified on June 21, 1788, has 4,400 words, making it both the shortest and oldest document of its kind. With amendments and signatures, the total words come to 7,591. Its impact on this country is impossible to measure:

‘We the People,’ the Constitution’s opening line sets a precedent for the next two centuries of government and its effects can still be seen to this day. Not only is it an extremely important part of U.S. history, but it also plays a very large part in the daily lives of individuals knowing their rights and freedoms are clearly defined, protected and empowered through a fundamental document and democratic government system.

Although a powerful document, there have been those who have decided that they are capable of interpreting the Constitution differently; they insist that it lacks relevance for these times. They are actually telling us that they are more competent and intelligent than our Founders, and they know better how this country should be governed—by them.

I don’t support our Constitution for sentimental reasons. I support it because those who hold that the beliefs and values on which this country was founded are archaic and meaningless are not serving the greater good, but rather their own agendas. The struggles, discussions, arguments that the Founders successfully went through to bring this document to fruition, in spite of all the roadblocks they encountered, reassures me that a larger Power influenced them. I trust the process they followed, in its messiness and duration, because they created the best system of governance in the world. Their determination and dedication to creating this document fill my heart and soul with deep gratitude.

Our Military

This organization of men and women who have chosen as their mission to protect this country, its laws and its citizens fills me with awe. They have made the choice to put their lives on the line, not just through their words but through their actions. They are the truest patriots. The sacrifices they have made and continue to make, along with their families, are not only to be admired but acknowledged with reverence and praise. These people make it possible to live in a country that provides an abundance of freedoms and opportunity, and I look for opportunities to thank them wherever I go.

Freedom and Abundance

We live in a country and at a time when we are called to recognize how extremely fortunate we are. Materialistically, we have everything available to us that we could possibly want. We are free to speak the truth, live where we wish to live, go where we choose to go, and pursue our hopes and dreams.

We live in amazing times. We can be complacent about the abundance, angry about the attitudes of others, disillusioned about those who don’t appreciate what they have.

Or we can celebrate living in the United States of America, amidst all of it.

I choose to celebrate my good fortune with a full heart.

.

Published in History
This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the recommendation of Ricochet members. Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 14 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Sweezle Inactive
    Sweezle
    @Sweezle

    Your posts are thoughtful, profound and grounded. TY for reminding me that one day does not define why I need to always be grateful to be an American.  And a member of Ricochet. 

     

    • #1
  2. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Sweezle (View Comment):

    Your posts are thoughtful, profound and grounded. TY for reminding me that one day does not define why I need to always be grateful to be an American. And a member of Ricochet.

     

    Thank you so much @sweezle! It is only recently that I’ve become conscious of how I tend to take my citizenship for granted. I spend a lot of time complaining how others don’t appreciate us. But the only mind I can manage is my own! Thanks again.

    • #2
  3. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    Thanks for this reminder! When I was in grade school, we were taught every day that we were the luckiest children in the world to have been born here, and it’s true.

     

    Closeup of an American flag waving in the wind

    • #3
  4. danok1 Member
    danok1
    @danok1

    Riffing off Cecil Rhodes, “Remember that you are an American, and have consequently won first prize in the lottery of life.”

    • #4
  5. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    danok1 (View Comment):

    Riffing off Cecil Rhodes, “Remember that you are an American, and have consequently won first prize in the lottery of life.”

    No kidding! It can’t get better than that, when you think of all the places we might have been born. Thanks, @danok1!

    • #5
  6. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Every time I hear Lee Greenwood sing “God Bless the USA”, I get goosebumps.  Maybe it should be played during halftime at football games (especially NFL games) . . .

    • #6
  7. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Stad (View Comment):

    Every time I hear Lee Greenwood sing “God Bless the USA”, I get goosebumps. Maybe it should be played during halftime at football games (especially NFL games) . . .

    Thanks so much, @stad. I hesitated to add it, because I’ve read comments from people that it’s kind of tacky and overdone. But I love it too, and have the same reaction. And with the photos that go with this video, it’s deeply moving. I think your suggestion is great.

    Also, we have lots of patriotic songs. I was just thinking that if anyone wants to add a favorite that makes you proud to be an American, feel free!

    • #7
  8. philo Member
    philo
    @philo

    Stad (View Comment): Every time I hear Lee Greenwood sing “God Bless the USA”, I get goosebumps. Maybe it should be played during halftime at football games (especially NFL games) . . .

    As luck would have it, four weeks ago today I was in the stands during halftime of the TCU football game as the good Mr. Greenwood was escorted onto the field to perform.  It was wonderful.

    • #8
  9. philo Member
    philo
    @philo

    Susan Quinn: …the Founders, who had the courage to stand up to the tyranny of a king … Later on, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration, … To make this break took tremendous conviction and daring. …

    On a related note, I am currently enjoying 1775: A Good Year for Revolution by Kevin Phillips.  This expansion on the common narrative of the times is worth the time and effort for those really interested in our founding.  I particularly found it somewhat humorous that one year prior to the reported date of the elegance and poetry of the precisely titled Declaration of Independence, the colonial congress passed something called the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms that reads like an early draft / dry-run and the document to follow.  It also further clarifies that “the break” was not so much a defined point in time in time as a long, evolutionary (and coordinated) process.

    From my past reading, I also recommend The Farmer Refuted by Alexander Hamilton (February 1775).  All of this extra reading adds depth to the modern narrative that, at least for me, highlights that much of the “stand up to the tyranny of a king” was also (or really or more fundamentally) pushing back against an out of control parliament.

    And that circles me back around to [the] disgusting phenomenon known as “Speaker Pelosi”:

    Are we, yet again, destined for this type of ruling class, legislative arrogance and tyranny?  The coming days will be very interesting.

    • #9
  10. DonG Coolidge
    DonG
    @DonG

    It is a great constitution.  It has an optimal balance of order and liberty.  There is great wisdom in there and we tamper with it at our peril. 

    • #10
  11. philo Member
    philo
    @philo

    DonG (View Comment): It is a great constitution. It has an optimal balance of order and liberty. There is great wisdom in there and we tamper with it at our peril.

    I would argue that we “have tampered with” to our detriment and, today, we just mostly ignore/violate “at our peril.”

    • #11
  12. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Thankful to be an American. Proud of the ones that made and keep that something to be thankful for.

    • #12
  13. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    philo (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn: …the Founders, who had the courage to stand up to the tyranny of a king … Later on, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration, … To make this break took tremendous conviction and daring. …

    On a related note, I am currently enjoying 1775: A Good Year for Revolution by Kevin Phillips. This expansion on the common narrative of the times is worth the time and effort for those really interested in our founding. I particularly found it somewhat humorous that one year prior to the reported date of the elegance and poetry of the precisely titled Declaration of Independence, the colonial congress passed something called the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms that reads like an early draft / dry-run and the document to follow. It also further clarifies that “the break” was not so much a defined point in time in time as a long, evolutionary (and coordinated) process.

    From my past reading, I also recommend The Farmer Refuted by Alexander Hamilton (February 1775). All of this extra reading adds depth to the modern narrative that, at least for me, highlights that much of the “stand up to the tyranny of a king” was also (or really or more fundamentally) pushing back against an out of control parliament.

    And that circles me back around to [the] disgusting phenomenon known as “Speaker Pelosi”:

    Are we, yet again, destined for this type of ruling class, legislative arrogance and tyranny? The coming days will be very interesting.

    Thanks so much for the recommendations, @philo! I love that period of history, so I’ll add them to my book list. Reading the biographies of the founders is also a wonderful way to learn history.

    • #13
  14. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    philo (View Comment):

    DonG (View Comment): It is a great constitution. It has an optimal balance of order and liberty. There is great wisdom in there and we tamper with it at our peril.

    I would argue that we “have tampered with” to our detriment and, today, we just mostly ignore/violate “at our peril.”

    I’m in the process of reading the latest collection of Antonin Scalia’s speeches and essays. What a brilliant man! So I’m anxious to read more about his originalist ideas.

    • #14
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.