“America, Thou half-brother of the world; with something good and bad of every land.”  --Philip James Bailey 1816-1902, British Poet

I am a TERRIBLY patriotic American.  My father is a Viet Nam vet and in spite of what many people may think of that war, my father went and did his duty.  God rest his soul.  On the other hand, he always said if there was another damned war like that one he would personally march my brothers to the Canadian boarder. 

As an American there is so much to be proud of, and I will be focusing on that as I normally do.  However, in light of this quote I found, I think we all need to remember that Americans have done some heinous things.  Yes, BF, especially heinous.  LOL.  Just like on SVU. 

There was slavery, the Trail of Tears, and extermination of the Native American way of life.  We put thousands of Japanese Americans in camps during World War II.  We can never make up for these travesties.  Yes, that means all the Japanese, Indian, and Black people who feel abused, tough luck, because most likely you didn’t live through it or even know someone who did.  If you had you would realize NOTHING could give back what was lost.  Even and most especially money.

America is a melting pot.  I would like to think, in my own naive little way, that most every race, creed, and culture get along here.  Most Americans are good, honest, hardworking people but like the quote alludes to; there are bad apples in every barrel.  I’m sorry for their ignorance but my apologizing for them won’t change their feeble little minds.

I do have a lot of problems with people illegally coming to my country.  People call it “The Land of Opportunity” and I can understand somewhat why people would flock here, but there is NO excuse for robbing hard working people of their tax dollars which we give each and every week to better our country and aid our fellow citizens. 

You live here then you are as responsible as every other resident and need to keep this great country rolling.  My Dad used to call it “priming the pump.”   If we didn’t pay back what we borrowed, then there might not be money the next time we needed it.  It’s the same with our country.  Pay your taxes now so we will always have what we need.  If you are illegal, don’t even think you can get government assistance when you haven’t paid the piper.  I’ll be damned if I enjoy forking my money over for no good reason. 

            I know this is a terrible insular, narrow view of life, but that is my view and opinions are like ass holes and everyone including me has one.  So there it is.  I love other cultures, races, and religions.  Some of my favorite classes have been cultural anthropology and geology.  With all that said, I’m damned proud to be an American.

Every country has their good and bad.  Their frightening and interesting aspects.  I encourage everyone from the US to take advantage of what our great nation has given us. Don’t take our country for granted.  People from everywhere else in the world please visit and enjoy the wonderful natural and cultural wonders we have to offer.  If you want to stay, I encourage you to gain a citizenship honestly like most of our ancestors had to in the past.  We are not perfect by any means but we have a lot to offer, enjoy.

Peace Out.