America: Love It Or Leave It

by: Alexandra

Why do people love to say this, and other people hate the very thought of it? (Stereo)Typically the difference between people who love it and people who hate it are divided between Republicans (who love it) and Democrats (who hate it.)

Forgive the fact that I am grouping large peoples together. As my disclaimer I will say that these groups are not always accurate. There are always exception, in fact I am one. That being said:

Democrats. They (stereo)typically hate this phrase. The way they see it is an attitude of "Why do I have to leave? Why can't I live in American but admit that we have our issues. If everyone that did not love every bit of America left it, and moved elsewhere, where would our hope of growth be? How would we change what isn't perfect? And nothing, including America, is perfect."

Republicans. They (stereo)typically love this phrase. Their attitude is "Why sit around and complain all day about something you can fix? No one is forcing you to stay here, and no one wants to hear you complain, especially when you have so much. Thanks in much part to the country you live in."

Unfortunately those are two separate arguments and (hypothetically) when members of these two parties try and solve this matter they wind up just waiting for the other to shut up so they can say their half. Neither is really listening, and neither is really responding. Both are just talking at walls.

So let me see if I can unfold the miscommunication.

Republicans (stereo)typically have a family-tie to the United States. You talk bad about it, that is like talking bad about their mother. America is recognized by many Republicans as having given them nearly everything they enjoy at no small price. The "Love it or leave" attitude is provoked when someone sits down at their kitchen table and starts badmouthing their mother. "You don't like my mom? Why would I tolerate you sitting here, in my house, saying stuff like that? Get out."

Its that family tie. You can talk to your brother about how annoying your mom can be. That is just fine, but if your neighbor tries to join in, they have crossed a line, if a sibling only has bad things to say about mom then they are annoying and ungrateful, and if a sibling runs to a neighbor and starts talking trash they have betrayed the family.

There are extremes on both ends. Some Republicans really do not want to hear about any of America's negative aspects, and some Democrats really do hate America, but I think those extremes need special help and should not be taken seriously, or as a representation of an entire party.

So you, non-extremist, open to correction, and open to listen person. I am talking to you. Try and see where the members of the opposing party are coming from whenever you discuss something with them. If a mutual respect is not had then a discussion is not had. All you have is two people talking at each other and that leads nowhere.

What Does It Mean to be an American Today?*

by: Alexandra

You can do whatever you like. American dream. If you like making doughnuts, you can open a doughnut shop and live happily ever after. Impractical? Extremely. But the American mentality will tell you that anything is attainable, and all you need is the willingness to work hard. I do not want to be the one to crush this dream, but in reality, it is far-fetched. But maybe that is what America is; a country of open doors, a million opportunities... Maybe that is why all of the other countries tend to think America is so bratty. We have so much opportunity it's ridiculous. Although we might feel lost and hopeless at times, we never REALLY feel the impending fear that so many who live in poverty do. A sense of security makes people lazy.

I recently decided to count all my blessing, as a way of thanking God and keeping myself from being selfish. I have since realized that I am disgustingly rich. My roommate moved out, so now I can use her closet, and I have 3 closets full of clothes. I have two beds in my dorm room and two beds in my bedroom at home. I have 4 beds that I can sleep in anytime I feel like it. I have two places to live; a dorm and a house. I have the opportunity to use makeup to make myself look "extra" good, whereas many people in other countries do not even have enough clothes. The Bible says God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ask or think, and I have that, much thanks to America and to God. And what did I do all of high-school? I whined that people didn't treat me the way I wanted, whined that I couldn't buy everything I wanted, whined that I wasn't pretty enough, and whined that my cellphone didn't hook up to the internet fast enough. The fact that I even spent time thinking about those things makes me a whole lot richer than a very significant percent of the world.

So what does it mean to be American? Or at least, an average American teenager?
To have much... and expect more.