"Uniquely American"

82CardsGrad · July 2nd, 2009, 05:55 AM

So, here we are the day before the celebration of the birth of our great country. And as best as I can tell, the union is as fragile and polarized as at any other point in my 45 year recollection...
I can recall times when standing up and proclaiming your American nationality was a claim that brought about immense pride, reverance and respect.
I can recall times when, differences of opinion notwithstanding, Americans knew what it meant to be American, and that at the end of the day we are all Americans.

Today, it seems that simply using the term "American" has to be done with your head held low and your voice retreating...
Today, it seems that nobody knows what being American means... what it stands for... the pride and respect are gone... American nationality has lost it's definition...

For you - how do you feel about being an American?

Heucrazy · July 2nd, 2009, 06:02 AM

I'm proud to be an American. Just becuase our leaders have done some stupid things lately it still doesn't change the fact that we the people have the power to throw them out every election cycle if we don't agree with them. Plus we still have the largest economy and most badass fighting force on the planet.

The one thing I don't like is the "Mexican-American", "African-American" , "Italian-American", PC crap that this country throws around. If you're a citizen then you are an American. Quit being a douche.

Mulli · July 2nd, 2009, 06:04 AM

What business is it of yours?

DWKB · July 2nd, 2009, 06:05 AM

I just wanna shoot fireworks

swd1974 · July 2nd, 2009, 06:33 AM

The 8 years of the Bush administration has made me come as close as I ever thought possible about hating my own country. The fact that we were so weak as a people to let many of the things happen occur and to do so with little or no voice.

The days of the 60's revolution, or shall I say the ability to get together and voice an opinion as one, to say "This is wrong", is gone.

The new administration is not moving as quickly as I had hope but there are a few very importnant items that needed immediate fixing that look like they may happen. (ie close Guantanamo, out of Iraq etc). but many things were left off the agenda that should be high priority (Close most if not all foreign bases, lower property taxes, Reform the SEC and fire those responsible, Give LESS power etc)

Bad news is it will only get worse. It is the sytem itself that is broken now and no individual can fix it.

40yearfan · July 2nd, 2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swd1974

The 8 years of the Bush administration has made me come as close as I ever thought possible about hating my own country. The fact that we were so weak as a people to let many of the things happen occur and to do so with little or no voice.

The days of the 60's revolution, or shall I say the ability to get together and voice an opinion as one, to say "This is wrong", is gone.

The new administration is not moving as quickly as I had hope but there are a few very importnant items that needed immediate fixing that look like they may happen. (ie close Guantanamo, out of Iraq etc). but many things were left off the agenda that should be high priority (Close most if not all foreign bases, lower property taxes, Reform the SEC and fire those responsible, Give LESS power etc)

Bad news is it will only get worse. It is the sytem itself that is broken now and no individual can fix it.

How quickly we forget about the amount of time the Democrats controlled Congress while Bush was president and how little power the president really has if the Congress decides to buck him.

40yearfan · July 2nd, 2009, 07:26 AM

Proud to be an American. Always have been, always will be.

AZZenny · July 2nd, 2009, 07:36 AM

Proud. Even when we embarrass ourselves, as all peoples and nations do now and then, I've traveled enough to know there is nowhere else I'd want to live, or be 'from.' I have faith in us, although many times that faith gets shaken.

The best way I've heard it put was when Obama was elected, a European journalist said, "Americans have done it again. They have surprised the world with a democratic act impossible anywhere else. Everytime we start to give up on them, they surprise us."

But for me, I am going to lift my first Fourth of July glass to the Iranian people, for smacking us upside the head with what freedom means, and what it costs, and what it really requires to secure it.

40yearfan · July 2nd, 2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZZenny

Proud. Even when we embarrass ourselves, as all peoples and nations do now and then, I've traveled enough to know there is nowhere else I'd want to live, or be 'from.' I have faith in us, although many times that faith gets shaken.

The best way I've heard it put was when Obama was elected, a European journalist said, "Americans have done it again. They have surprised the world with a democratic act impossible anywhere else. Everytime we start to give up on them, they surprise us."

But for me, I am going to lift my first Fourth of July glass to the Iranian people, for smacking us upside the head with what freedom means, and what it costs, and what it really requires to secure it.

PROSIT!!!!

wallyburger · July 2nd, 2009, 08:46 AM

Other.

swd1974 · July 2nd, 2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40yearfan

How quickly we forget about the amount of time the Democrats controlled Congress while Bush was president and how little power the president really has if the Congress decides to buck him.

It was the 4 years they had full power that 99% of the crap came out. Even Republican Representatives said Bush would sign a leaf if it blew in the window. You really think W had the brain power to even read what came through?

Rivercard · July 2nd, 2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallyburger

Other.

X2

Matt Self · July 2nd, 2009, 12:30 PM

Just blow some stuff up already.

LVG · July 2nd, 2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swd1974

The 8 years of the Bush administration has made me come as close as I ever thought possible about hating my own country. The fact that we were so weak as a people to let many of the things happen occur and to do so with little or no voice.

The days of the 60's revolution, or shall I say the ability to get together and voice an opinion as one, to say "This is wrong", is gone.

The new administration is not moving as quickly as I had hope but there are a few very importnant items that needed immediate fixing that look like they may happen. (ie close Guantanamo, out of Iraq etc). but many things were left off the agenda that should be high priority (Close most if not all foreign bases, lower property taxes, Reform the SEC and fire those responsible, Give LESS power etc)

Bad news is it will only get worse. It is the sytem itself that is broken now and no individual can fix it.

De Tocqueville: “The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”

Oh, and proud to be American.

wallyburger · July 2nd, 2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVG

De Tocqueville: “The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”

Oh, and proud to be American.

and...

Quote:

As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in?
Alexis de Tocqueville