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Most Americans are Proud of Our History
A new RASMUSSEN survey, out yesterday, shows 75% of Americans are proud of this country's history.
Nearly as many, according to Rasmussen, feel the world would be a better place if more nations were like ours.
I agree.
As we approach our 232nd year of independence, we can indeed be proud of our country's Godly heritage.
While a vocal minority blames America for every ill in society, most of us know that this is a great country. While this same minority tries to undermine our freedoms and erase our Judeo-Christian heritage through history revision and its profound influence on what we have become, it seems that most Americans understand its importance and are proud of it.
Dinesh D'souza, an immigrant, articulates why he thinks America is so great.
D'Souza has written a book titled, "What's So Great About America." His book would be a good read this summer. It's refreshing.
I have linked an article, written by D'souza, with several excerpts from his book. I strongly recommend you take a few moments and read it over this weekend.
In it he says, "My conclusion is that America is the greatest, freest, and most decent society in existence. It is an oasis of goodness in a desert of cynicism and barbarism. This country, once an experiment unique in the world, is now the last best hope for the world. History will view America as a great gift to the world, a gift that Americans today must preserve and cherish."
Have a wonderful fourth of July weekend.
God bless America.
________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom
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12 Comments:
Gary, the vocal minority you refer to views America in a more complicated manner than the simplistic "it's all good or it's all bad" viewpoint you subscribe to.
Personally, I'm very proud of most of what America has mean't and accomplished. I also believe we're not perfect.
The right wing calls me a member of the 'Blame America First' crowd. In reality, I'm a member of the 'Glass is Half Full' crowd. I believe we can overcome the bad policy of the Bush administration and once again become the greatest if all categories - not just the mightiest.
Tomorrow, I'll be celebrating the ideals that make American great, not the recent activities contrary to them.
Bad policy of Bush administration? Give me a break--sigh!
10:47am
Ouch! You got me on that one. I forgot how much better everything is as a result of this administration.
I have apologized a thousand times to the young being betrayed by the revisionist historians and revisionist pulpits attempting to destroy our Judeo-Christian heritage with their anything-goes and always did relativistic approach. I grieve for the young who are left with nothing to be proud of, as creches are denied the public square, the ten commandments are torn off of the walls of justice, prayers are forbidden in schools and public, the Name of the Savior is allowed only as a curse word in public entertainment; all absolutes are denied as if there is no such thing; and vitriolic hatred poured on a president who quietly acknowledges his faith in a Triune God, as have, incidentally all previous presidents, and most all things known to be honored as Truth to the generation now dying in America are being mocked. I rejoiced when I read D'souza's wonderful book. He knew and recognized the source of all that is yet wonderful here--that I fear we will lose if we don't stop the decline into degredation.
I am one of the blessed generation taught the truth in school AND church, grieving for what was then...
Yes it is, glad you noticed!
I would like to declare independence from my own faults and prejudices that may hinder promoting justice and good for my whole country. That I remain true to the fact that our nation's own accountability begins with my own accountability to our maker. That I would be free from the political bonds that hold good men and women from coming together for the common good. May I be free from forgetting how fortunate and blessed I was to be born an American citizen. That I never forget to honor and respect those who wear uniforms and protect our homes, property, and families from those who would do us harm.
Happy Fourth of July America!
Mick from Kingston
As a matter if fact, it is--open your eyes!
Hmmm... a Supreme Court packed with slave owners making decisions about slavery...
A military-industrial-congressional complex that Republican President Dwight Eisenhow warned us about and now is full swing sucking fully 50% of your hard earned taxes right out of your wallet.
The CIA overthrowing the democratically elected government in Iran and installing the Shah - which resulted in the mess we have today.
I won't even mention Sen. Joe McCarthy, no women's vote until 1920, 2/3 of person for slaves in the constitution, violence and theft against peaceful human beings as part of our law, etc. ad nauseum.
American society has good aspects and many evil aspects. Nothing to be proud of - just the facts.
I think I will stick to focusing on the Kingdom of God...
Patrick
Patrick a few of your facts are off , such as 20 percent of our budget is for the military . Where did you get the 50 percent figure . aND ACTUALLY USING OUR GNP, we are spending less then during the Vietnam war , Way too much money I agree , but considering the Constitution states that is one of our first priorities , I would also state the other 80 percent is way over spent also .
The 3/5 census of slaves was actually implemented as a compromise by the anti slavery northern delegates , they did not want the southern states to gain representation in the House of reps by use of slaves , so the actual implementation of not counting a black man as a full person was actually an attempt to limit representation of slave states .
If you look at the rest of the world , we did a pretty good job .
England set their slaves free before us , but also was willing to help the South for cotton and trade during the Civil war .
If you look to the Kingdom of God as a measuring stick , be carefull , you or I without the Blood of Christ are not so hot either are we ? And we can't use republicans or democrats to blame for our sins , can we .
If we all got we deserved , including Christians ,
Yikes ! But if you are so concerned that the Christian community is allowing patriotism to get our hearts and minds off Christ , that is a good subject .
I do see where we could be led wrongly , in fact many Christians I know who were in politics are out now . It is quite hard to play political games and keep our principles . But seeing government used as a tool to support special interests , its hard not to see wrong in that . the thing is we become a special interest trying to stop it .
So whats your solution , no politics at all ? I agree with using Christ as part of your political special interest group as this organization does , but no as an individual .
But its not easy . I would like to hear your accomplishments in the political field making this country better ?
Mick
Mick,
I am willing to do a little budget analysis with you but we do need some facts. When you actually look at ALL the elements related to the military - especially included the current military activities in Iraq and Afganistan - I believe it is more than 50%.
However, if you could provide your source for 20%, I would be happy to begin there.
Again, I ask the question - why are we comparing ourselves - the children of God - to anyone such as England or whatever?
Thanks,
Patrick
First Patrick only you are stating Christians here are comparing themselves to England or whatever . The Kindgom Of God has no boundaries , what many here are saying is we Thank God for being so blessed to live in such a country where freedom is cherished by so many , and the Gospel free to be reached without governmental abuse . Something many , from bouth political viewpoints usually will share our Thankfullness in .
You are basically out of the loop , no big deal , why you keep harping on it is another thing .
Patrick this will be a good start for you . Basically to the the surprise of most liberal minded people , military spending in the United States is about 20 percent . Which is a heck of allot of money , don't get me wrorng . Social Security , medicare takes about 40 percent or so . Whrere you might have gotten the 50 percent level from was discretionary spending , because things like SS and medicare are entitlements , no choice in the matter , we have to spend it before Congress gets into session and figures out how to spend more . People on both sides of the political compass play games , but the graph I gave you is pretty good . Also the official government web page also , which takes more patience then I have to sift through .
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.care.org/graphics/getinvolved/advocacy/budget_piechart.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.care.org/getinvolved/advocacy/budget_factsheet.asp&h=262&w=300&sz=10&tbnid=Atf2Av-k2eAJ::&tbnh=101&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dunited%2Bstates%2Bbudget&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image&cd=1
The United States spends 3.7% of its GDP on its military,
This is historically low for the United States since it peaked in 1944 at 37.8% of GDP (it reached the lowest point of 3.0% in 1999-2001). Even during the peak of the Vietnam War the percentage reached a high of 9.4% in 1968.[10]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_budget_of_the_United_States
Mick
Not included in the "military budget" figures Mick cites are:
The Iraq & afghanistan wars ($107 billion in 07)
Maintenence of Nuclear Arsenal( $9.3 billion)
Veteran's Affiars ($33.2 billion)
Black Budget ($?? billion)
This expands what most people would consider Military spending by roughly 30% over the figure used to calculate the 3.7% of GDP figure.
Also of note is the fact that US military spending is almost as much as that of entire rest of the world COMBINED. In short, no matter how you slice it, this country spends an enormous amount of money on the military.
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