Number 44!!!
I am an American - born and raised in the midwest. For four years, though, I left my home country to go to college. Being out of the country, I gained a valuable perspective on the world opinion of the United States that I think, unfortunately, many Americans do not get a chance to hear. From the outside, I watched the choices that my government was making, and my sense of patriotism and feeling of confidence in my country became almost nonexistent. We could have been changing the world in such positive ways, but instead we were serving our own selfish interests, regardless of the impact on the lives of our neighbors.
But today, I felt I could stand up and say once again that I am proud to be American. With today's inauguration of President Barack Obama, I feel like we're stepping down the correct path. Here are some quote from his inaugural address that really spoke to me:
"In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned."
"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals...And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more."
"...our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."
"...we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it."
"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task."
I am so excited about the prospect that Obama will help lead the country in a new direction where we are no longer the bully, but instead reach out a hand to countries that need us. I am excited about his policies and I can't wait to see how his government and the American people will address the current (immense) challenges that face them, and what we will be able to achieve in the coming years.
XOXO
Mere
I am an American - born and raised in the midwest. For four years, though, I left my home country to go to college. Being out of the country, I gained a valuable perspective on the world opinion of the United States that I think, unfortunately, many Americans do not get a chance to hear. From the outside, I watched the choices that my government was making, and my sense of patriotism and feeling of confidence in my country became almost nonexistent. We could have been changing the world in such positive ways, but instead we were serving our own selfish interests, regardless of the impact on the lives of our neighbors.
But today, I felt I could stand up and say once again that I am proud to be American. With today's inauguration of President Barack Obama, I feel like we're stepping down the correct path. Here are some quote from his inaugural address that really spoke to me:
"In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned."
"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals...And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more."
"...our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."
"...we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it."
"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task."
I am so excited about the prospect that Obama will help lead the country in a new direction where we are no longer the bully, but instead reach out a hand to countries that need us. I am excited about his policies and I can't wait to see how his government and the American people will address the current (immense) challenges that face them, and what we will be able to achieve in the coming years.
XOXO
Mere