Politics and Culture

America, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways:

1. Freedom:

Even my liberal friends find it odd that democratic countries like Canada and the Netherlands persecute bloggers and essayists for sincerely opining on world events. Indeed, except for nations like Iraq and Afghanistan, it seems that much of the world is moving towards less freedom. Well, we're still pretty free to write and say what we like. Besides speech, some other ways in which we're more free than 99% of the world:

a. We can send our kids to the school we want.
b. We can have as many children as we want.
c. We don't have to take a government test to further our education.
d. We can study and attempt a career in any field we wish.
e. We can buy whatever health care we can afford.
f. We can start our own businesses.
g. We can marry any other over-age, non-family member of the opposite sex.
h. We can blog.
i. For the most part, we can drive whatever we want.
j. People choose their religion or no religion.

2. Economic Freedom (Capitalism):

I love it when my son tells me, "Papi, I want to be rich."

I always reply, "Go ahead, son! This is America! Don't forget the old man."

I also tell him that he has to work hard and earn his money, for in America, my son will control his economic fate. He will have to practice good money habits, or he'll end up poor. He will suffer or soar based on his discipline, ability, and aversion or attraction to risk. That's dignity.

And, my son can reach his financial goals through several paths, or he can blaze his own. More than in any other nation, people can be quite successful without having to go the "right" schools or knowing the "right" people. In fact, sometimes they don't even need rights. Publisher John H. Johnson and many blacks created and grew businesses when some blacks couldn't even vote.

3. Diversity:

Choices, choices, choices! We can spend or save. We have tons of products. We can live in San Francisco or Dallas. Cable! We can attend a Cinco de Mayo parade in Los Angeles or a St. Patrick's day parade in Chicago. Vivica or Megan Fox?

Megan Fox...

...or Vivica Fox: Now that's diversity.

4. Genius:

Take a look at what Americans have invented. Considering the above three characteristics, coincidence? I don't think so. The linked-to list doesn't even include my personal favorite, the cheese-filled hot dog. Think about it: Germany has the hot dog for a thousand years and it never occurs to them to fill it with cheese! After how many wars with cheese-riddled France?

5. Culture:

I remember a Korean college buddy of mine saying how Americans have no culture. Another college friend stood up for her white dad at a "Mexican-American graduation" after a very unappreciative new alumni said that Americans have no culture. What are they talking about! Name any kind of art, and Americans are well represented after the mid nineteenth century (We needed time to wind up, no?) if not outright dominant. Movies, plays, literature, visual arts- we're right there. Which brings me to our most spectacular contribution:

6. Music:

From Abba...er...Aerosmith to Zappa, Bolton to Brittney, Country to Western, Jazz to Blues, Motown to Grunge, Disco to Classical, movie music to garage music; America is an aural treasure trove.

People often forget about America's contribution to musical theater. Above, America by Leonard Bernstein.

7. Martial ability:

Since every country is born drenched in blood, it's first heroes tend to be warriors. When a nationalist group, positive or negative,** wants to trumpet its particular nation's greatness, it looks to its warriors. Why? Fighting is hard! The reason the French commemorate Charles Martel and not the French surrender to Germany (Sorry, French brothers and sisters, it's what people know.) isn't because one was a victory and the other a defeat; it's because one of them fought. Poland is proud of its defense in World War II. Religious people are proud of their martyrs. Texans lost the Alamo, yet they still rally to it's crying. Many Southerners still honor Confederate soldiers despite losing because Johnny Reb fought well.

Anyways, whether you agree or disagree with the justification for their sacrifice, Americans have been superlative fighters.

8. The Guirado family:

My father arrived poor and now he's not (He also arrived skinny, but I won't go there.). I joined the Army as a thank you to the country on behalf of the Guirado family.

9. Canada:

Yes, our neighbors to the the north talk funny, but does any country have a better neighbor than the United States?

Vanity is Canadian: Who knew?

10. Physical beauty:

Let's say you were designing the ideal land mass in Civilization: Wouldn't it look a lot like the United States? From the mountains to the prairies, to the oceans, deserts, jungles, it's a very beautiful place.

Sedona, California

Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Gold Edition

Bonus reason: History:

Something that amazes me about the United States is how short a time our flag has waved- a whole 232 years. 232 years is one third of the time between the Muslim conquest and Christian reconquest of Spain. 232 years after Christ, the Romans were still feeding Christians to the lions. The Roman republic which had just ceased to endure at the time of Christ, lasted twice as long as the United States has existed, and the Roman empire almost that. Quick! what happened between 1500 and 1268 B.C.? The fact that we've gone from zero to top of the heap in such a short time is both a source of pride and a warning, for our continuance is not guaranteed, although not all nations have become great, all that have have fallen in one way or another.

Anyways, lots of interesting stuff happened.

**Look at Nazi, Communist, and MECHA/fascist/racist art, and you'll notice that they tend to depict idealized, usually historical, warriors.