It seems as though we have a national trend for disproving of our country. This seems to be something that crosses the board; liberals say it's still too conservative, while conservatives say we're going to hell in a hand basket. Unfortunately, they're both right (but maybe not for the right reasons).
Firstly, it should be made clear: the USA might have its fair share of problems, and things that make me shake my head in disgust, but (for the time being), it's still a mighty good place to have as your home. Aside from having people who are currently putting themselves on the line for our sake, there have been generations of others who already did just that.
I don't support some of the things that have happened, and some of the atrocities that others have suffered at our hands. But, I am grateful to say that I know several wonderful people who have contributed great things to our country.
What I can't quite understand is that some of the people who I know that seem the quickest to make harsh judgments about the government, and refuse to wear patriotic looking things are also the quickest to sign up for government sanctioned help, beyond what most citizens utilize. That just doesn't wash with me. If you're going to diss the military, criticize the flag, and complain about the politics, you really shouldn't be first in line to at the DSS, asking for help with your rent. (In my opinion.)
I can understand having hesitations about The American Way, and our politics, and all that... but I don't understand the complete willingness to surrender to our flawed social services so quickly, when you just spent the last hour dissing the same government.
On a similar note, I was a bit taken aback by a recent Lovelyish post, which says the Pledge of Allegiance is creepy. Oh dear. I can understand not wanting to indoctrinate yourself with unquestioning patriotism... but it's not so hard (for me) to get behind pledging allegiance (not unquestioning following) to a republic that grants its citizens liberty and justice. (Whether we have complete liberty and justice is another issue, entirely.)
In any case, while it may not be perfect, and is facing all kinds of problems, I have to say... I am glad to like in the USA. There are a couple of other countries that I could see myself comfortably living in, and taking citizenship with... but having visited both of them, I can't deny the happiness I've felt, coming back, and seeing our gaudy flag welcoming me home.
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