Friday, August 29, 2008

America the beautiful

Never before have I been so into politics. I've been glued to the television set this entire week. Speeches at the Democratic National Convention brought tears to my eyes, and decisions by the Republican Party left me speechless. Despite the issues our country has right now, I am in love with the United States of America. "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, for thee I sing." I love that finally, it's not a parade of white men into the White House. I love that there is a black nominee for President and a woman nominee for Vice President. I love that people across the country are standing up in a wave of hope, and are seeing a bright future. I love the idea of patriotism - of helping each other and feeling proud to be a part of something greater than ourselves.

I love that Obama said,

"The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America they have served the United States of America."

I love that President Clinton said:

"People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power."

When I traveled to Denver, I felt so happy to be an American. Anywhere I go in this great country, I am understood. We all speak the same language, have the same dreams. I revel at the beauty of the mountains, the plains, the rivers, the oceans, the cities, the hard-working people. I am thankful to be in a place where I have liberty and freedom, where I can wear what I want and say what I believe.

Thank you America, for being a great country. I am proud.

4 comments:

Dan-Eric Slocum said...

I am proud, too, Kristin-- right along with you.

With all of the challenges this country may face-- it's still the greatest country on the planet Earth.

I, too, love the U.S.A.

Anonymous said...

Indeed we have a country we can be very proud of. In spite of detractors who are hell bent on making us feel guilty for our successes, I think we have more true freedom to be than anyone on the planet. While any country has its missteps, I am SO happy to live in a land of opportunity, a land where I can say what I want and believe what I want, where there is enriching diversity, where there is justice. (Paula)

danielskiffington said...

Agreed, Kristin. BTW, I started blogging again!

Colleen said...

Thank you for sharing those quotes - quite powerful. Just reading them choked me up. It's great to hear about so much pride in our country, we've needed his moral boost for a long time. Now if only we could get it at work... or my former place of work :)