I'm proud to be an American, because in declaring our independence from England, we strived to make a society that valued life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A society that would break free from the constraints of nobility and class structure and plant the seeds of opportunity for all Americans.
I'm proud to be an American because of our Constitution, not because it advocates any particular political system (democracy, republic) nor economic system (capitalism, communism), but because of the sheer genius of it's checks and balances. Investing power in multiple sources has probably done more to keep this nation free and progressing forward than anything else we've done!
I'm proud to be an American because of the Bill of Rights, the greatest addendum ever made. Not only did it initially codify basic civil liberties, it has grown and expanded as our sense of liberty and equality has become more inclusive.
I'm proud to be an American because of our creative can-do spirit, not just in inventing things but in making things useful for EVERYONE, like we did in mass-producing an affordable car. And in great private/public partnerships, such as canals, the phone and highway systems, and in putting a man on the moon. Much of this has been lost since 1980, but I have faith it will be restored.
I'm proud to be an American because of the abolitionists and others, both North and South, who stood up to slavery, through speeches and actions, Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Underground Railroad.
I'm proud to be an American because of those who stood up to the forces of corruption and corporatism at the dawn of the 20th century, and fought to restore a sense of greater equity to our culture. Thank you, Jane Addams, Upton Sinclair, and so many others, including even trust-bustin' Teddy!
I'm proud to be an American because of those women and men who stood up for women's rights, beginning with just insuring the basic right to vote, but continuing even to the present day with the Lillie Ledbetter act.
I'm proud to be an American for the workers who've stood up to help make this the greatest middle class in the history of the world, primarily through the power of unions.
I'm proud to be an American, because of the Greatest generation, who endured through the Great Depression and then fought so valiantly against the forces of fascism. I'm proud of all our soldiers throughout American history. Even though their leaders weren't always wise in what they got us into, our serviceman always gave it their best.
I'm proud to be an American because of those who strove for greater civil rights. Like Martin Luther King, I have a dream, a dream of equal opportunity and love for all mankind. I'm proud that we never just canonize and freeze our American quest, but that each generation brings us closer to living the dream envisioned by our founding fathers.
I'm proud to be an American right now, so I can continue to fight for the dream of a better America. Right now, we fight for equal rights for gays, lesbians, transgenders and all those continually left out of full participation. Right now, we fight against discriminatory laws that would racially profile Hispanics. Right now, we fight to breathe new life into a democracy that has become moribund with corporate lobbyists and a controlling media. Right now, we fight to move our healthcare system in to the 21st century, where all are covered, healthcare is a right, and no one goes bankrupt trying to take care of loved ones.Right now , we fight to restore our environment from those who would continue to pillage it, and to halt or reverse the devastating effects of climate change caused by global warming.
Finally, I'm proud to be an American because I was born here. Not as romantic reason as the rest, but nonetheless true. Like all people everywhere, I have a xenophobic and jingoistic attachment to my homeland. After all, I'm pretty special, so where I live must be pretty special, too.
