Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
I am a United States Citizen
Share:
by Graywalker | September 14, 2009 at 11:35 am
512 views | 48 Recommendations | 18 comments
You may can call me an American, but more correctly and specifically, I am a United States Citizen. There is no such thing as an American Citizen.
North America is a Continent with three Countries on it - the United States of America, Mexico and Canada. South America is another Continent, with ... a lot of Countries on it.
Now, I've taken political personality tests and always wind up "Conservative" or "Moderate with Conservative leanings," so remember that as I continue.
I believe that my money belongs to me. I also realize that no man is an island and that for our government to work for us, it needs some funding. I'm not greedy and hateful, I just want my contributions to society to be fair and other people who benefit from our government to contribute in the same fair way.
I believe that owning a gun is, indeed, a smart thing. Knowing how to use it properly is even better. Realizing that it is a tool instead of a toy makes it even better still. If you own a gun and are not a killer - you need to practice more because you are obviously a lousy shot or not using the tool for what it is meant for. If you use a gun to commit murder, you should be killed in the same way, instead of being given food and shelter and an education while people argue about it.
Being a Minority does not entitle you to anything more than anyone else. Unfortunately, some are going to want to deprive you of that - and our government has to step up and lend some protections to ensure that our Constitution is honored.
I believe that everyone has the right to pray to his or her God, Goddess, Flying Spaghetti Monster or nothing at all, when and where they want. However, they don't have the right to force me to go along with it or have to listen to it. They also do not have any right to insert their beliefs into Our government.
Again, I will have to say that North America has three Countries on it. If you don't like the way things are here in the United States of America, you have every right to make your voice heard and try to change it. We have every right to laugh at you, argue with you or campaign against what you say. I, for one, will defend your right to say it, even if I disagree.
I realize that most Citizens are only five or six generations away from their Immigrant relatives. The ones that are true Natives of this Country are treated horribly by our government - and we should be trying to make that right.
It does take a village to raise a child, especially in these times. Many are single parents, some children have no parents left. Everyone should care about the education and welfare of every child in this Country. I don't believe that we need to be all concerned and funding children in other countries while we have starving, abused or neglected children in our very own Country. We need to take care of our own before we go messing in other people's business. That is one reason I support Health Insurance Reform. (Do note, its not Health CARE Reform.)
I believe that our Forefathers fought for Freedom, Liberty and Justice. They formed one of the Greatest Democratic Republics ever. They built on the Old Saxon Common Law (according to Thomas Jefferson) and their own experiences to forge a Secular Government and preserve Freedom of Religion for all Citizens, no matter their religious affiliation or Nation of Origin. We have strayed so far from their vision, really. Some in this Country now are seeking a Christian Theocracy. I believe that all Flags should fly in this Country - we are a Nation of Many Cultures as well as Religions and it would be a travesty to forget our heritage.
I am a United States Citizen and I will defend my Country against all forms of Tyranny, both foreign and domestic.
____________________________________________________________________
(initially a response to This "Bad North American" article, re-worked for here)
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Related Stories
Recommendations (48)
Roy C
Vancouver, Washington, United States
eastvanray
vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
a211423
Clearlake, California, United States
Tina Kells
Vancouver, Canada
Rory Cripps
New Port Richey, Florida, United States
Subculture Arts
Gulfport, Mississippi, United States
Barry Artiste
Vancouver, Canada
albertacowpoke
Canada
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (18)
at 11:54 on September 14th, 2009
I am not at all conservative in my views - being Canadian and all :) - but I thank you for this very thoughtful and well presented article.
at 13:55 on September 14th, 2009
Tina,
What does being Canadian have to do with your not being conservative? Canada is full of people who identify as being conservative. We elect "Conservative" governments both federally and provincially and have done so for our entire history as a country. I am confused by your comment. Can you please explain what you mean?.
at 16:12 on September 14th, 2009
Well, we do have a Conservative government now, and have many times in the past, however not always. In fact, we have only had three more Conservative governments than Liberal governments. I am also confused by Tina's comment, though.
at 12:24 on September 14th, 2009
Thomas Jefferson was a genius. We need more leaders like him. Also, with regard to the "Native Americans", I'm curious if you would support full independence for such tribes as the Lakota?
at 08:45 on September 15th, 2009
I probably would. I'd have to research it, but initial gut feeling is yes - if they can sustain themselves. That would be my big question - do they have the resources and population to be self sustaining?
at 13:23 on September 14th, 2009
Damn-excellent essay. Of course, according to those who now have tyrannical control of our once-free nation, they would disagree with you. Who was it who said: ""Every time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that . . . I want to tell you something very clear: Don't worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it." - Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, October 3, 2001
at 17:03 on September 14th, 2009
I read Barry's essay this morning. I consider myself fiscally conservative. While I can't speak for Tina when she was referring to Conservative, she may have been referring to large C Conservatives, as for Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingram. The Conservative Party of Canada has many progressives within its ranks and is more of a centrist party with a few leaning right of centre.
The Reform Party and later the Alliance Party had the more right leaning members. They eventually amalgamated with the Progressive Conservative Party to become one under the Conservative banner. Stephen Harper was part of the Reform and later the Alliance. He beat Peter MacKay and Belinda Stronach (of Magna fame) in a leadership race. Both MacKay and Stronach were Progressives.
at 18:30 on September 14th, 2009
300(ish) million are Americans in a world population of 6.5 billion - that puts the USA in a minority.
Feel as you wish about your country - I do mine, but all I see is you stating what you feel, which is open to debate as you have put it out there.
Your opinion is as valued as anyone else's.
at 18:50 on September 14th, 2009
Granted North America may have three countries in it, but I guarantee you the third country given the option would hightail it across the border faster than you can Ay Caramba!
at 19:16 on September 14th, 2009
Yeah! The Mexican government is a basket case and always has been. No offense to the Mexican people but facts are facts. I don't blame y'all for coming to America. If I were you, I'd do the same.
at 18:57 on September 14th, 2009
A nice article - well done.
However, a few contextual observations.
I am a <insert nationality here>, is a statement of fact. There is no requirement to either apologize, justify or denote. I am male. I am white etc. None of these denote or control how I think.
I think it is a good op-ed, but I sometimes get confused by the editors here. They will say this or that piece is not newsworthy. This piece is not news, so I am a little confused to what the editorial bar is? As a short, a blog or a diary piece- excellent. News..I don't see it
at 19:07 on September 14th, 2009
Rng: If I read you right, I share your sentiments (or perhaps your skepticism) here. I don't know what to make of this story and the comments.
at 08:56 on September 15th, 2009
As it is an Opinion piece, it has a great deal of flexibility. I also think it touches on a lot of current news topics - Gun Control, Health Insurance Reform, Immigration, Taxation.
I also hope that it puts forth that not every Citizen of the United States is an extremist. Mostly the ones in the news, local and international, are the extreme nutcases. Those who stock-pile weapons and ammunition and shoot things for fun. Those who are opposed to all forms of government intervention - those who want total government control. I just don't think that there are a lot of US Citizen views that are common sense out in the news media. Its all sensational.
at 15:34 on September 15th, 2009
Graywalker: Thanks for clearing some things up!
at 19:01 on September 14th, 2009
This is an interesting opinion post . . . . And no offense to the writer, but the comments are just as interesting as the post. As much as I'm inclined to "recommend" this post, I would like to hear more of the writer's views within the context of his or her subsequent stories . . . .
at 14:16 on September 15th, 2009
A Manifesto!
To "know ' your individuality is a walk toward wholeness.
I agree whole heartedly with this. Sensationalism is what "feeds' certain ones who hunt it to feel the buzz any addict does. It is a kind of hunt for the bizarre. Faultfinding is almost always a matter of negative projection. Projecting our negative conditions onto others creates the illusion of improvement, but still it is an unhealthy mechanism thru which they try to make themselves feel better. The awakening , however, is always harsh, painful and depressing, like a hangover after an unwise indulgence.
A great teacher once said negative projections attach themselves to outward causes and charge them with great power.
When personal neuroses are compounded into social and political causes they do not lose their neurotic character...they grow into mass neuroses The causes of the greatest disasters of history
"No doubts can exist in the herd; the bigger the crowds the better the truth --the greater the catastrophe--Jung
It is why the psychologically wise attitude must be one which is invariably distrustful of situations which can lead to mass neurosis or herdlike behavior...which usurp the judgemnt and discrimination of the individual. Each person must become their own "CHANGE"
at 20:28 on September 15th, 2009
I need to say that there are far more than three countries in North America. Take a look: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_america
at 04:42 on September 16th, 2009
Perhaps... but "containing Canada, the United States, and Mexico, and often Greenland, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Bermuda"
They are all really Islands, not connected to the continent proper. So they may be considered Geographically North America, but not when speaking of a continent, since "continent" suggests "continuity" of land and islands are by nature, not connected to other land. Perhaps Geologically they are connected below sea level... so, I suppose I could see arguments for both ways.
Thank you for the interesting trivia and link!