I love America. I grew up in a great community. People helped each other when needed. As I traveled through other parts of the country I saw great beauty, met wonderful people. Unfortunately, I also witnessed extreme poverty, horrible living conditions, prejudice, etc. Because I was so sheltered and naive, I was extremely horrified. This can’t be America. So we have some work to do to be better. On the bright side, there are many groups and programs that have attacked these issues and are making strides.
Loving my country doesn’t mean I feel the need to boast, stating it’s the best country in the world. I think it’s arrogant and what purpose does it really serve? What’s wrong with being a good, decent, and honorable country? One that displays how to protect and care for its people. How to practice honest diplomacy with other countries, offer help during catastrophes, working together on solving some of the planet’s problems like climate change, hunger, diseases, etc. We can accomplish so much if we work together.
America has already shown it can do many of these things very well. But do we really need a Medal for doing the right thing?