Rant #2,442: America

Yes, I told a little fib yesterday.

I really wanted to take the day off from this blog, but you know what?

With such an important day coming up tomorrow--in particular with all that is going on in the world right now--I decided to add my own two cents on our Independence Day, July 4, and not take the day off from the blog as I had planned.

We need positives about our country right now, and in my own little way, I am going to add to that train of thought.

In spite of what some people think, this IS the greatest country in the world, bar none. Nobody ever said it was perfect, but if you think you can find a better country on this planet, well, go to it.

You will come back to the United States of America, because there is no better place to be--and that is why so many people want to be here.

Let's look back on what I wrote about the day in Rant #76, all the way back on July 3, 2012, exactly eight years ago to the day, in edited form:

"We often lose sight of what the day actually means, as the birthday of the greatest country in the world.

Sure, we have problems, we aren't a perfect country, but is there a better place to live on earth?

I don't think so.

And on July 4, we celebrate those who are serving now, and those who have served in the past, all of whom have kept this country strong.

But we don't only celebrate service members. We celebrate all those who have brought our industrious nature to this country, all of those who have made a name for themselves here, and all of those who have contributed to make this country great.

That means all of us, every American can take a bow on July 4.

So on July 4, we celebrate the greatest country in the world. It's a coast to coast celebration, and I know you'll probably hear firecrackers either on the TV or in your own neighborhood during the holiday."

You know, this country really isn't that old compared to other countries, and right now, we might be going through what I politely refer to as "growing pains."

People walk around angry, angry at the virus that has shaped our lives for the past five months or so and will continue to shape our lives in the future; they are angry at the supposed injustices perpetrated against some of our fellow citizens; and they are angry at the overall uproar in the world that we are all experiencing.

I don't like what is going on in our country and in our world, either, and I do feel that it has been greatly blown out of proportion by a number of groups and a number of our leaders, as well as disenfranchised people who now feel that they belong to something.

But for one day, wouldn't it be nice if we can all get together as Americans, and put aside the hostilities?

I know that that is a lot to ask for right now, but can't we just put away the venom for one single day--I would prefer forever, but let's start with one single day--and just celebrate this wonderful country we are living and working in and bringing up our children in?

That might sound like a pipe dream, but it is my wish for the day, and I do hope that no matter what our position is on the matters of the day, that we could just all agree on that one point, and have a great day doing it.

So, as I said yesterday, have a great July 4, have a great weekend, and I will speak to you again on Monday.

And sorry for the white lie. I guess I will wake up with a little pimple on my tongue for it, but you know what, in lieu of what is going on in our country right now, it will be well worth it.