America

I've developed a very bad habit lately. I am fascinated with education, especially the policy aspect of it, but commonly frustrated with the efforts (or lack of) being put into improving our education system. I am frustrated with the political party controlling Washington, pushing legislation after legislation that either destroys freedom or undermines the American way. I am frustrated with the opposite party for their lack of ideas and healthy discussion, choosing instead to fight with one another than to defend the Constitution and fix our ailing nation. All of this culminates into a bad habit of being frustrated with "America." I find myself often saying why "America" is bad, not why the individuals who make it up are at fault.

But I am wrong. America is not bad, never has been, and I hope it never will be. America is the country who defeated Hitler and defended freedom all over the world. America is the nation that pulls together to send more aid than any other country to people we'll never meet in other, less fortunate nations. America is the country that allows a free marketplace of ideas as well as a free marketplace of commodities. The words of Israel's president Shimon Peres say it best:

 America is unique in the history of the world. In the history of the world, whenever there has been war, the nation that is victorious has taken land from the nation that has been defeated...Only one nation in history, and this during the last century, was willing to lay down hundreds of thousands of lives and take no land in its victory...America is unique in the history of the world for its willingness to sacrifice so many lives of its precious sons and daughters for liberty, not solely for itself but also for its friends.

And thus "America" becomes synonymous with "freedom." Throughout America's history, they have played the role of the underdog and won. Who would have ever though a young nation composed of 13 unorganized colonies could defeat the naval superiority of Britain? Who would have thought that a weak northern army, fighting to keep our country together, could defeat a stronger southern front fighting to tear our nation apart? Yes many times we have overcome great challenges. Now we find ourselves as the predicted loser again, and with all confidence I say we will overcome.

To do that, we must not only draw inspiration from the past, but we must also learn some lessons from it as well. Many events that fall on America's timeline could present valuable lessons, but I want to focus solely on the last time our nation was truly thriving.

World War II brought a death toll of over 300,000 U.S. servicemen, but it also brought a sense of American pride that propelled the economy. Women moved into the work force. Detroit began manufacturing technologies for our military. People sacrificed whatever it took. We did what was necessary to keep our nation strong, and we defended America, because America was going to defend the world.

We can learn a lesson from this today. The days of "Ask not what your country can do for you..." are long gone, but their return would bring great benefit. In a time when our economy faces devastation, it's time to turn to one another for our strength and comfort, rather than to our federal government. We, like the civilians in World War II, must work to get ahead and take responsibility for what needs to be done.

There are times in America when freedom was vehemently defended, now we sacrifice that freedom to government programs promising to fix our problems. Instead of setting par for other countries, we strive to conform to other standards. My plea is that we realize America is not every other country. We may not always do what is sensible or popular, but we do what is right. And what is right is for Americans to learn to take care of themselves, take responsibility for their failures, and be given understanding when they need to start over. 

But America is only as strong as its citizens. We are entrusted a duty to defend freedom, to work hard, and to be our best, because America is made up of the best. "Whatever it takes," should be our motto, because who knows if one day another Hitler may arise, and who will be there to stop him this time? I'm proud to say I am an American; I am not ashamed of her Constitution. Again, America is the underdog. Our economy is weak, along with our education system. We've given our government more power than our founding fathers would have ever dreamed, and they have obliged us with heavy taxes and failing programs. It's time to pull together. Call out the wrong, strive for the right, and be proud of our America. The ideas that have made us unique have worked since 1776, and they can work today.

So God bless America, my home sweet home...