Happy 233rd Birthday America!

Two-hundred-and-thirty-three-years sounds like a long time, but in  terms of a nation's existence it's not. And relatively speaking, America is still in its adolescent stages. I think that many people, in America and throughout the world,  have forgotten  that America is still experiencing growing pains. The country has undergone many changes since its beginnings, yet many things have remained the same: A bloody civil war was fought on American soil over the issue of slavery, secession, and regional economic concerns. But in spite of that, America remained intact. Beloved American presidents and other public figures have been assassinated throughout the years, yet  America didn't unravel at the seams as a result. Heated ideological debates have taken place within the congress and senate as well as within various branches of government on a daily basis since the birth of the nation,  yet America has not experienced any military coups as a consequence.  All of the above along with impeachments, seemingly absurd supreme court rulings, and citizens made up, to a great degree, of immigrants from cultures that bear no resemblance to the American culture.

Everytime I engage in a little catching up on my American history, I'm struck by the thought that America has survived and prospered in spite of  what appear to be insurmountable setbacks. And I am greatly thankful that I was lucky enough to have been born in America . . . a country where I and others can express ourselves and redress our grievances without fear of being arrested and subjected to mock trials. A country where citizen's votes actually count for something. A country where, given a little hard work and perseverance, one can prosper. Indeed! Happy 233rd Birthday America! And a special thanks to America's founding fathers!