Uncle Roger's Notebooks of Daily Life

What It Means To Be An American

If you are an American, you support marriage equality because you support the notion that the pursuit of happiness should be afforded to everyone, regardless of whether or not what makes them happy is what makes you happy.

If you are an American, you fight to keep your religion out of the government, including the public schools, because you understand that part of the reason early settlers came to this country was to get away from governments that forced religion on them and you do not want to force your beliefs on anyone, any more than you want their beliefs forced on you.

If you are an American, you want to see universal healthcare provided to everyone because you understand that we, as a nation, are only as strong as our weakest member and because you abhor the idea of anyone suffering.

If you are an American, you believe the military should be used to build bridges -- literally and figuratively -- in other countries, not tear them down, because we want the rest of the world to admire our way of life so much that they will want to emulate it, rather than destroy it.

If you are an American, you support open immigration and opportunities for all, regardless of how or why they got here, because you know that not too long ago your own ancestors were immigrants as well -- or, if not, that these new immigrants can't be much worse than previous ones who stole your ancestors' land and killed so many of them.

If you are an American, you pay your taxes, and gladly, because you recognize the many benefits you've received -- and continue to receive -- from being an American and want to support this country, financially, knowing that it takes more than a two-dollar flag sticker on the back of your car for it to survive

If you are an American, you accept and celebrate your fellow Americans, whoever they might be because you understand that it is that grand diversity that has made this country the special place that it once was, is now, and, hopefully, will continue to be for many, many generations.

If you are an American, truly an American, hold your head up proudly. If not, it is time for you to change.