As we gather on the Fourth of July to celebrate our nation’s birthday and the Declaration of Independence from the British Empire, take a few minutes to reflect on the challenges we have overcome as a nation and the contributions you and/or your descendants have yet to make in the greatest country on earth—the United States American States.
We are unquestionably lucky to be in the greatest country the world has ever seen. During its two hundred and forty-six-year history, the United States eradicated slavery, saved the world from Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, contributed the most technological achievements in history to human development, achieved the highest standard of living in the world, is the most generous people in the world, and is the world’s granary.
“This country was founded and built by people with big dreams and the courage to take big risks.” — Ronald Reagan
The Lynnwood Times has compiled a short list of what makes us a great nation and unique in the annals of history. No country is perfect, but when it comes to different goals, promoting freedoms and facing a common enemy, we are all together as one.
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we will pay any price, bear any burden, face any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to insure the survival and success of liberty.” — John F. Kennedy
So, keep your heads up, wave the Stars’n’Stripes this 4th of July and be proud to be an American!
THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED
The Constitution of the United States of America is unique in that it recognizes that the rights of the people are granted directly by the Creator—not the state—and that the people grant the rights to the government. The government works on the basis of the privileges of the people. No concept of governance existed on Earth with this idea as a core belief.
All other forms of government on Earth rely on the state as the provider of human rights. Read also : My Country, You Are: The Music of America and Americans About Them. Because America’s founders believed that a government composed of imperfect men exercising authority over other men should have limited powers, they created a constitution to “secure the blessings of liberty” for themselves and posterity by limiting the powers of government.
The US Constitution delegates to the government only those rights that the people want it to have, and it has all the powers that the Constitution does not delegate to its citizens.
GOVERNANCE AND MILITARY
Together with the British, the United States put together a system of government that has become the standard in free democracies around the world with laws and a system of litigation that addresses discrimination based on race, sex, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. Every country in the world that followed the American/British system of government and free market capitalism is enjoying prosperity, while third world countries were born out of socialism, communism and dictatorships.
With an annual budget of $801 billion, the United States has the strongest military ever, but instead of using that power to take over countries, we use it to preserve world peace and stability. On the same subject : FACT SHEET: The US and G7 will take more steps to support Ukraine and hold the Russian Federation accountable.
WEALTH AND STANDARD OF LIVING
A person living in poverty in America has a standard of living that would be considered rich in most countries of the world. Most Americans living below the poverty line are well fed and have cars, televisions, clothes, a roof over their head, health care and many other things that would be considered luxuries in 3rd world countries. See the article : NJ is launching a national population health data project. The US government cares for its poorest citizens with an endless array of benefits – welfare, food stamps, Medicaid & Medicare, job training, college grants, tax credits, etc.
The United States has been the world’s largest economy since 1871. The nominal GDP of the United States in 2021 is $21.44 trillion. Because the US has a free market system, at $62,406, the United States has the highest per capita gross domestic product in the world. Anyone can start a business and go from rags to riches in the United States.
The US dollar is the world’s reserve currency, which is key to the world economy; and American farmers produce more food than any on Earth.
Americans have greater access to the Internet & more cell phones than any country in the world, and the US has the strongest, most reliable system of public utilities – electricity, water, sewer, etc. No country has as safe and abundant quality drinking water as the United States. There is also an abundance of raw materials that are key to the nation’s geopolitical strategic advantage.
Although still too expensive, Americans have access to health care with top doctors, drugs, surgeries, technology and other modern medicine that is unmatched.
WORLD TECHNOLOGIES AND INNOVATIONS
The United States leads the world in the number of Nobel Prize winners with 398. Most of the technologies that change the world – such as the Internet, the personal computer, the automobile, the airplane, the transistor, video games, the C code language, the light bulb, the alternating current system, 3D printing, smartphones, and the search engine Google – they were developed in America.
Most of the greatest medical breakthroughs and life-changing pharmaceuticals have come from American companies, and because of American space exploration, the contribution to space knowledge is unparalleled.
As of 2018, the US is the world’s largest energy producer.
WE ARE A CHARITABLE NATION
In 2021, the United States government has budgeted $38 billion for foreign aid, more than all other countries in the world combined.
US donations in 2021 amounted to a near-record $485 billion. American corporations and citizens make more charitable donations than the rest of the world combined. Donations are the largest both in total and per capita.
Best Post-Secondary Education in the World
America’s research universities are the best in the world and attract the best minds around the world. We have more top universities than any other nation. It is no wonder that the USA remains the most popular destination for international students.
MELTING POT OF THE WORLD
America is truly a melting pot. Nowhere else will you find whites, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, etc. living together in such percentages – no other country is as diverse as the United States.
American history began with immigrants from other countries, who brought their cultures and diversity to this country. America welcomes people from different countries, races and religions. Ethnic rivalries exist on a global scale, but, one by one, as these ethnic groups arrived in the US, they assimilated into one group – Americans.
People can dress the way they want, talk the way they want, and even promote their culture without any hesitation.
No country in the world is so tolerant of religious and non-religious beliefs. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindi, Devists, Atheists, Agnostics, Satanists and so on all live together in harmony. No one is prosecuted for their religious or non-religious beliefs.
Most notably, no nation welcomes more immigrants, both legal and illegal, than the United States and is one of only 31 countries in the world that allows same-sex marriage.
The United States is truly accepting of people from all walks of life.
BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AND DIVERSE CULTURE
America is full of beautiful landscapes. America has 50 different states, all of which are full of unique landscapes. From sea to sparkling sea, countless national parks, to cities and landscape views, to incredible sunrises and sunsets, you will always find beautiful landscapes in America.
Every country contains a unique culture. America has a great variety of music, food and movies. American entertainment culture has been the United States’ most successful export. Also, America has an unparalleled array of entertainment options – movies, Netflix, video games, TV, sports, shows, beaches, fitness clubs, streaming music, social media, art galleries, festivals, concerts, and so on.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
The US is one country where you can openly express your views without fear of judgment or facing consequences. There are so many countries around the world that have penalties for speaking against the government or religious beliefs.
One of the best things about the US is being able to openly express concerns about political, ethical and religious issues without fear of prison or death.
