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One has to be careful when aligning with a label. The following is something I scribbled into the back of a history book I was reading at a moment of inspiration. I post it for you here in order to solicit your input on the question asked at the end. I look forward to reading your responses.

"I am not a Democrat because they stand for too many causes against God and His laws,

I am not a Republican (although I was once registered as one) because they are controlled by big monied interests which foster cartels and stifle opportunity,

I am not a Libertarian because the concept of Liberty burns too quickly out of control if taken as a quality by itself.

So . . . I guess I don't know what I am.

It would be poetic and seemingly patriotic to state that I am simply an American, implying somehow that the term itself is enough to produce clarity.

But no one seems to know anymore what it means."

So, dear readers, what does it mean to be an "American?"

Posted in Politics

29 responses to “To Be an American . . .”

John Dickinson – Team One Purpose!

May 15, 2009

Chris,
I know what it “feels” like to be an American, but had a hard time putting it into words. The article below is what best describes to me what an “American” is. I especially like the part that not all Americans live in America.
Some might say my adopted daughter is 3/4 Mexican and 1/4 Caucasian. I tell them that she is neither and that she is an American!
Thanks for the insight,
John Dickinson
“What Is an American?
by Edward L. Hudgins
Edward L. Hudgins is director of regulatory studies at the Cato Institute.
This article appeared on cato.org on July 3, 1998.
We celebrate July Fourth as the day the Declaration of Independence created the United States. But in my heart I also honor July 15. On that day in 1930 Giustino DiCamillo, my grandfather, arrived here with my grandma, aunts and an uncle to start their lives as Americans. My mom was born the next year.
I never had the chance to hear my grandpop’s deepest thoughts about his extraordinary journey and rich, long life, which ended when I was fairly young. But one way I can understand his character, and the character of my country, is to reflect on the question, “What is an American?”
An American is anyone who loves life enough to want the best that it has to offer. Americans are not automatically satisfied with their current situation. My grandpop wanted to be more than a poor, landless tenant farmer, no better off than his ancestors. Americans look to more than the next meal; they look to the future, the long term, a better tomorrow.
An American is anyone who understands that to achieve the best in life requires action, exertion, effort. Americans aren’t idle daydreamers; they take the initiative. Fortune did not fall into my grandpop’s hands. He had traveled to America several times before 1930 to find work, establish himself, and make it possible to bring over the family. He toiled for years to achieve his dream, but achieve it he did.
An American is anyone who understands the need to use one’s mind and wits to meet life’s challenges. How would grandpop secure the money necessary for his first trip to America? Where would he find a job and a place to stay? You don’t need college to know that you have to use your brain as well as your brawn to make your way in America.
An American is anyone who understands that achieving the best in life requires risks. Immigrants have no assurance of success in a new land with different habits, institutions and language. They leave friends, relatives and familiar places, often risking their lives to cross oceans and hostile country to reach their new homes. But they, like all Americans, understand that the timid achieve nothing and forgo even that which sustains us through the worst of times: hope.
The nature of Americans explains the precious opportunity that has drawn millions to these shores. The Declaration states that all men are endowed “with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Americans seek economic prosperity, leaving behind the resentment in other countries that is aimed at those who better their material condition. Throughout the world and throughout history, millions of individuals have endured poverty with dignity. But there is no inherent dignity in poverty. Individuals came to America to farm their own farms and run their own enterprises. My grandpop found work on streetcar lines so he could buy a house and provide a better life for his family.
Americans seek personal liberty, to live as they see fit, to worship as they please. Americans seek freedom from the use of power wielded arbitrarily by whoever holds the political sword. My grandpop no doubt did not want to be at Mussolini’s mercy.
The Declaration — and the Constitution that followed it — created a political regime for individuals who wished to be united with their countrymen not essentially by a common language, ethnic background, or other accident of birth. Americans are united by a love of liberty, respect for the freedom of others and an insistence on their own rights as set forth in the Declaration.
Unfortunately, the American spirit has eroded. Our forebears would look with sadness at the servile and envious character of many of our citizens and policymakers. But the good news is that there are millions of Americans around the world, living in every country. Many of them will never make it here to the United States. But they are Americans, just as my grandpop was an American before he ever left Italy. And just as millions discovered America in the past, we can rediscover what it means to be an American. The principles of this country are no mere abstractions; they are written in the hearts of all true Americans. And it is the spirit of America, the spirit of my grandfather, that we should honor on July Fourth.
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=5867

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Curtis Brown

May 15, 2009

An American says they will not live by the sweat of another man’s brow. (We learned that one the hard way).
An American says anyone can say anything they want, and an American will fight to the death to preserve that right, but don’t anyone dare DEMAND that an American agree or approve of what they do.
Americans are a rebellious people. Just try to impose anything on them and see what happens.

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Stephen Palmer

May 15, 2009

Chris, I love this post in the sense that it is insightful an intriguing. On the other hand, it’s also discouraging to think about.
The irony of trying to answer it is that every individual will have a different answer. I can give my answer, but it won’t mean much in the absence of consensus.
I’ve often thought about, and observed others talking about, how we can unite freedom lovers. Usually this is attempted through organizations; political parties, events, and/or candidates; or ideologies.
I’m convinced that it’s not going to happen this way. The best — and perhaps the only — way we’ll ever unite in a meaningful way is under the banner of universal values and ideals.
Those who can articulate and get people to coalesce behind ideals will win the battle for unity, regardless of political affiliation.
Which means that the only true answer to your implications is education. Not technical job training, but the classical, liberal education enjoyed by our founders.
The 5,000 Year Leap by Cleon Skousen is, in my mind, the best place to start.
And here’s my list of values and ideals:
http://www.causeofliberty.com/about/philosophy-principles-values/

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Andrew Derr

May 15, 2009

Chris, I would like to believe that to be an American is to be willing to fight for a cause to risk what you have, to stand for what it is to be truly free. I use to think I knew what that was until I was introduced to Team. The word freedom stands for more than just having rights as an individual but to protect the rights you have earned not been given, for a man will cherish an accomplishment over the intitlement that he has been given. Like Thoreau said “Most men lead lives of quite desperation” and I can not agree with Claude Hamilton more on “they are desperate for a cause.” Thanks Chris for all you and Terri do for our country God Bless.

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Scot Campbell

May 15, 2009

What is an American? Being able to pursue happiness, not property but happiness! Having the opportunity to create my own life and the lives of those I care about. And having the liberty to do just that!

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david nelson

May 15, 2009

Hi Chris,
An American is someone who believes what is taught in the Bible and lives on the American continent. Were not God’s chosen. Were the prodigal son or daughter who choose to come home. We are in heaven in the same place as non believer’s who are not in heaven.
I agree with you we are not any political party. We are having a party. Matthew chapter 7 talks about the fruit on the tree. You guys are trees with edible fruit.
Thanks for all you do. Keep it up.
Everyone of us christians are praying for you leaders.
Sincerely,
Dave Nelson-the heat is on in florida

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Harold L Lamma II

May 15, 2009

Chris ,
Sometimes it’s hard to accept the fact,that so many have aligned themselves with a certain party.I agree with you in finding that niche,with where do i belong.
I also was once aligned with the repuplicans ,but soon got discouraged by big business antics and forceful stupidity.
Yearning to have a voice though
in these times,many are restricted to certain party levels,to even have a voice .This is wrong!
Being an American to me is ,having the ability to make decisions based on freedom,morality,integrity,honor,and christian principle.
In my eyes GOD is final authority on all these,and my rights are Garraunteed by GOD not man.
The only rights we have in this country ,is if we do something wrong!But God is a just God,and will make sure that our voices are heard as Americans,so i guess i would be considerd an “Americanian” by right.
Our fore fathers new exactly what they were doing when they first established this nation,and prayed for it to be God Ordained!
So as an American,we should have the right to free speech,assembly,and so on ,as long as it is inline with GODS purpose period.
NO special intrest groups,government control,excessive taxes,forceful acceptance to stupid laws,and so forth.
No manor,or law should control another as long as its morally correct,and spiritually sound!
Thats what a true American should be!

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Tony Matteo

May 15, 2009

An American is one touched by God and free to do His will.
This feedom comes with one condition… it must be exercised. If we don’t use our freedom then we don’t deserve it, and will lose it.

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Jerry Carter

May 15, 2009

Great Post Chris,
An American is one who gives hope to those who are looking.
God Bless,
Jerry Carter

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Larry Herring

May 15, 2009

An American is characterized by unbridled courage combined with a commitment to individual and collective freedoms (outlined in the Charters of Freedom http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/ ) and is tempered by a nagging desire to align that courage and those freedoms with the Golden Rule.
An American has ALL THREE of those things. Mixtures of only two seem to be pervasive today.
By the way, the Golden Rule is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – NOT “Everyone should have their fair share.”

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g.a.b.

May 15, 2009

Being an American means being extremely tolerant of a lot of behavior of which we don’t approve.
Being an American means giving someone, or some group, the benefit of the doubt…until they flaunt that benefit and prove themselves unworthy (“We’re here, we’re queer…” ’nuff said).
Being an American means means loving your enemies but never forgetting their names.
Being an American means loving your wife and children so much that you’d die for them.
Being an American means using your common sense when radical religions, or Presidents, rear their ugly freakin’ heads and spit on the country you love.
Being an American means having a great love for sports that the rest of the world ignores or does not participate in.
Being an American means trading off looking good for creativity and innovation (at least some of us still feel that way).
Being an American used to mean loving God and Country more than ones self.
Being an American used to mean being the leader of the world…now it means tolerating a Communist regime until we can get a conservative candidate who the MSM will not crucify.
Being an American means solving your problems with ingenuity and creative thinking…
…
…but it’ll probably boil down to Gospels, or Guns.

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Ann

May 16, 2009

To be an American means having freedom – freedom to criticize our government, our president, our congress, the way we handle criminal and free to criticize just about anything we want – without fear of being persecuted. Just like we have freedom to choose our religion and believe in a God of our chosing without fear as well.
But with freedom there are also responsibilities. Can’t just criticize -we have a a responsibility to get involved, to find solutions, to propose solutions to our problems. Responsibility to ensure that future generations have the same freedom and better opportunities . We can just rest on our laurels and enjoy the fruits of our forefathers -we have to pay it forward.
Being an American means being appreciative of those who shed their blood for this country, in the name of freedom, so that others may enjoy what they fought to grant us.
It’s an appreciation of the blessing to have been born here rather than any other place in the world. To believe you have a chance to be and do anything you set your mind to do – to become the best you that you can be. To be an American is to be an optimist and believe the best in others and focus on that -and believe that there will be a better tomorrow.
That’s not all of what being an American is – but it’s some of what comes off the top of my head when I just think and “speak” without thinking too much about it.

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Cathy

May 16, 2009

Chris,
I am an American. To me, to be an American means I believe in certain things.
I believe in loving my God, my country, my kids, my grandkids and my friends. I believe in telling people I love them and showing the people I care about my love in tangible ways.
I believe in saluting my flag, saying the Pledge of Allegience and proudly singing my national anthem. I believe in singing “God Bless America” as a prayer.
I believe in the value of an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. I believe in sacrifice, effort and giving what you do your best. I believe if I want something, I have to work for it, dream for it and save for it. And I believe there are things more important than work and money, like God, family and friends.
I believe in service and the value of giving back. I believe when God blesses you, it is your right and obligation to bless others from your blessings.
I believe that my word is my worth and my worth is my word. I believe in responsibility and accountability.
I believe in the sanctity of life and the sacred bond of marriage between a man and a woman. I believe God set up boundaries in the world for our good and outlined them in the Bible, and we will have more profitable and successful lives when we follow them.
I believe in boundaries. I believe there are certain lines that should not be crossed. I also believe in personal freedoms and choices.
I believe government exists to serve its people, and not people to serve government. I believe in smaller government, and that if charities were to be given social programs the government handles now, they would do it better, more effeciently and cheaper. I believe in lower taxes and less regulatory mandates. I believe in tort reform and term limits. I believe legislators should make laws, and judges should enforce them, and that judges shouldn’t make laws. And I believe in the right of everyone to express their opinion, even when it disagrees with mine.
I believe in the defense of our freedoms. I believe when America’s interests abroad are threatened, we need to show resolve and strength. I also believe we don’t need to be the world’s police force, and that sometimes other countries may just have to figure out how to govern themselves on their own.
I believe America is like a friendship quilt. This is a type where everyone makes a square, it all gets put together and each one is totally unique and different. Each American lives their life, contributing their part to the whole, making something unique, beautiful and unpredictable. I believe American is far more than the sum of its individual parts, and always has been.
I am an American. I am proud of it. I am glad I was born here and now and not in some other where and when. I am free, though not as free as I’d like to be. And I have the opportunity to be even more free. Because America to me means opportunity, choice and freedom, and the responsibility to express them wisely and well.

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Fletch

May 16, 2009

To be an American, one must first describe America.
To me it is the spark of divine intelligence that is allowed to flourish and produce fruit. A spiritual energy that can’t be contained and will ever endeavor for peace, truth and pursuit of happiness, whatever one conceives that to be.
“America is God’s Crucible, the great Melting-Pot where all the races of Europe are melting and re-forming!” Israel Zangwill
A rebellion christened anomoly.
“A people free to choose will always choose peace.” Ronald Reagan
The world leader set apart from the world, where it’s uniqueness has drawn the globe’s ideas and colored it’s landscapes with their gifts.
“We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” Jimmy Carter
A land full of paradoxes, but when under pressure or distress, it forms a unity uncomprehendable to the rest of the world.
Where life is held to it’s highest value, and death of one of it’s members in a foreign land constitues an assualt to the body of America.
“The wisest use of American strength is to advance freedom.”
George W. Bush
It is choice to stand for your beliefs or passively fetter them away. Choice to do the honorable and right or live in obscurity.
“A truly American sentiment recognizes the dignity of labor and the fact that honor lies in honest toil.” Grover Cleveland
A nation where it’s founders, atheist and christian came to an agreement that it’s in God we trust and each has their rights according to their maker.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Thomas Jefferson
A soil stained with the blood of millions, in the name of freedom, who would not trade any of it for any land on earth. Regardless of race, creed or color, is the example of the greatest human liberties.
“Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today’s world do not have.” Ronald Reagan
An independant people who allow themselves to be governed.
“Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.” Ronald Reagan
To embody and live this is what it means to me to be an American!
“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” Ronald Reagan
God Bless this nation!
I am an American!

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J.J. goidosik

May 16, 2009

One of the Major belifes that Must be held is that we will scarfice as indivuals now for a better personal oprtunity in the lifes of our next genration,The Indivual Rights over the whole. the Idea tht Lex is Rex, and the understanding that the freedoms that we were founded on were ment only for a responsable people and our Indivual freedoms will be taken away to the degree that we ignore our indvual responsability. America Was Built on Faith in a better tomrow Not Fear of others or the end of the world. An American has a realistic Grip of history and a clear view of the future. In the end An American comes from a christan Veiw point that restrains them to self goverment because with out that no freedom can ever exsit and with it bondge has no grip. I love America and freedom, I belive that all truth needs is a flat playing field and what america needs is Americans who will and can defend truth and those who will demand a flat playing field. In short an American is a Leader like those expressed in your book Chris.
Thanks J.J. goidosik

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Markku Palomaki

May 17, 2009

Hi Chris, thank you for posting this yet another great “forced thought”. To be an American means to believe that it is our duty, as the most powerful nation on God’s planet earth, to espouse the truths that our forefathers held self-evident. To be willing to sacrifice your comfort and convenience in order to lead others on the path of those truths. As a naturalized citizen, I am an American by choice and I continue to believe I made the right choice to become an American. American is a believer in the power of free enterprize and in the necessity to accept responsibility to execise the power of the ballot every opportunity it is presented. American is every woman, man and child, who believes that we have to make decisions based on moral principles,as our forefathers made, when forging our nations charter (aka the Constitution of the United stes of America). American is anyone who is ready to support and defend the freedoms we have been given by those who were also Americans, who went before us.
Thank you for all you do.
Markku Palomaki

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MiguelandJinjer

May 17, 2009

Hi there,
I believe that the Declaration Of Independence and The Constitution sums up exactly what it means to be an American! No more no less! It was and continues to be our unwillingness to stray from the principles of these documents since the very time they were penned(slaves, aka humans as property)that has gotten us into trouble.
I do have a question and I hope you will answer.
Why did you single out Libertarians instead of the Constitutionalists, the Greens, the Liberals or the Conservatives? I know that there is some Libertarians who do get a little radical but there is many shades to there philosophy just like there are many shades of Conservatism as we found out from our last President.
Being apart of the TEAM is what has encouraged me to educate myself on politics, history and economics so I’m really new to it all. Before I started really studying I believed that Bush and his wars and all of his intrusions on our civil liberties that Obama has now expanded upon were all justified! I voted for Dubya because he was a fellow Texan and I was just excited to get to vote for the first time(I had just turned 18). The second time I voted because I felt at the time that he was the lesser of 2 evils and a pseudo economist said to never vote outside the 2 parties. My point is until Orrin said to read Dr. Pauls Revolution book, Milton Friedmans and Mises’ works I didn’t understand what was going on and I’m still learning too. But the idea of Liberty with a complete laissez
fair economic policy, a non interventionist foriegn policy and a domestic policy of personal responsibility just sounds so right to me. That’s what Libertarians stand for so obviously I do tend to gravitate to the Libertarian side more than any other and was just curious why you singled them out as your 3rd choice of who you aren’t when the Bush Conservatives and the Liberals have brought this Country to it’s knees?
Republican and Democrat means nothing any more. Most anyone who sits back and looks at the parties side by side would have to
admit that they may be different in rhetoric but in practice they are one and the same and that’s why I was curious why you added Libertarians over the Conservatives or Liberals as to what you are not?
Thanks for your time as always and see ya in KY!
Miguel

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Phyllis Hoff

May 17, 2009

Chris:
Everyone here has given such wonderful descriptions of what it means to be an American.
I think the lyrics to the song
“God Bless the U.S.A.” says it all:
I am proud to be an American.
Every time I hear that song, it
sends goose bumps through my body.
We are all so blessed.

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Skipper

May 17, 2009

Hi Chris, To be an American means that you are one of a multitude of people. A people that has more differences than any other nation in the world. We are a nation of people that have many different ideas, creeds, nationalities, thoughts, hopes, and dreams. But yet we are people that have one hope in common. That is: that this GREAT nation where we proclaim that all men are created equal will continue to give those that strive for success the ability to be unequal with those that accept medocrity and complacency
Thanks for caring about OUR nation;
Skipper

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Jutta Tobkin

May 17, 2009

I was not born an American, rather became a citizen 10 years ago, when I had lived in this country longer than I had in any other country. For me to be an American means to be free, free to choose my occupation, my place of living, free to vote and to express my opinion, free to create my life. This is the only country in the world which declares: In God We Trust. America was founded by God fearing people who came here leaving everything else behind, ready to make a new beginning. They built a house for God and community worship first before they built their own homes. They came to build one culture and language disregarding their own personal heritage and traditions.
One Nation under God has to be our motto and is the solution for all of our problems today. If the founding fathers of this country had the humility to bow their heads in prayer to ask for guidance and direction why can’t we today?

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J.J. goidosik

May 18, 2009

Hay Chris
becuse were on the subject Check out this video I don’t belive we should not pay taxes but I think it shows alot about the fed reserve
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173&q=freedom+to+fascism&pr=goog-sl
Thanks J.J.

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Brent Campau

May 18, 2009

Chris! I’ve been recently dealing with the same struggles. I feel much better right now knowing I have company. The whole not being a Democrat, Republican, or Libertarian issue you speak of. I have been debating on what to “be” and haven’t come to a conclusion. So far, I’ve concluded NONE OF THE ABOVE.
An American, to me, means standing for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as defined by the Constitution and that DOES have a Godly element. The Constitution was largely framed by the bible and I really don’t know of any apparent contradictions.

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Gary

May 21, 2009

Chris, I wanted to share the headline from a local newspaper here in Janesville Wisconsin with you. Just makes a person gleam with pride with what’s taking place!….. :
“UAW says it has reached deal with GM, government”

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Bill Kolasa

May 29, 2009

Hi, Chris,
Your notes on parties piques my mind because I identify with it a lot. The issue of political party has always been a hate-hate thing for me. You can’t seemingly get anything done without being in one, yet if you are you are stereotyped (e.g., the option of straight-party ballots). When I was about 19 and surveyors would call our house asking what party I affiliated myself with, I always said I was independent, voting for whomever I believed to be the best candidate regardless of party.
I recall “The Seven Habits.” This is one of my favorite self-development books, perhaps because it was one of my earliest. Beginning on page 111, Dr. Covey begins talking about the different possible centers for our lives. He shows how each of the alternate centers always leads to unhappiness and lack of fulfillment. He said: So what are we loyal too? Well, we are loyal to principles.
So there, I submit, is the real question: What are the principles of America? Or, rather, what are the principles it was founded upon? Well, Judeo-Christian principles is a very simple and true answer, and from learning history, we find that great courage was a part of it, and freedom from tyranny (from any person or people, foreign or domestic), humbleness before God, and compassion,
Of course, the greatest difficulty is perhaps explaining in what ways those words are meant. “Compassion” can mean anything from voluntary charitable giving to communism. Perhaps it requires more than just token words. Unfortunately, I cannot, at least at this time, give a straight, eloquent answer.
However, if, for example, Party A is bent in so-and-so way, but otherwise would be the best choice for you (speaking in the general “you”), then I see two options.
1. Reform that party. This presents the difficulty of wiping away the bent-ness that has probably become a stereotype.
2. Create a new party. This presents the difficulty of starting from scratch.
I plan to run for public office at some time in the future (as-yet undetermined which office or when). The issue of which party name to put on the ticket is a doozy for me right now. 🙂 I might even go white (Independent). 🙂

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Bill Kolasa

May 29, 2009

Regarding option 2:
The Team Party.

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Dennis Brooks

May 31, 2009

Hey Chris;
Teachers generally scare me. But this one is on the mark. What is an American? “He/She’s mad as hell and not gonna take it any more!”
April 17, 2009
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington , DC 20500
Mr. Obama:
I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally.
You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of the President of the United States of America . You are responsible to the citizens of the United States .. You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth.
I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe ? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century?
Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States ? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this?
Your bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king of Saudi Arabia . You don’t show Great Britain, our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia .. How dare you, sir! How dare you!
You can’t find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don’t want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey .. You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What’s the matter with you?
I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you.
You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it.
What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members – on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven’t said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn’t!
Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that’s $45 million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million – not a bad take. Who authorized that and why haven’t you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now.
I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do.
We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you.
I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities.
I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country.
Sincerely,
Every real American

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Bill Kolasa

June 1, 2009

Regarding the letter above on “I have had it with you and your administration, sir”:
With wide eyes, I say,
“Wwwwwoooooooooooooooowww.” 😯

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Tim McNeil

July 9, 2013

Chris,
to me, it means that my heart swells every time I gaze upon our nation’s flag. When I witness someone bringing a home-cooked meal or a pie to a heartbroken family. When I see Men and Women bound together, side by side toiling away in a Godly cause. The spirit of an American is that of a giver, and their satisfaction and joy is a result of that.

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Mark Sturgell

November 20, 2014

Chris, I cringe at the label “American” simply because so many claim it these days to represent their partisanship owns the rights to what it means. I prefer to go by my first name, Mark, but if other labels are necessary then call me a Citizen. I am a citizen of the United States of America, both by birth and by choice. As a result, I have a responsibility to vote and to engage in civic affairs locally, in my state and nationally. I do not vote in primary elections specifically because (in Illinois) I am required to declare myself by a partisan party label, and I will not do so (I have not done so in more than 35 years as a registered voter).
I am not a Democrat or a Republican or a Libertarian for much the same reasons as you mention in your note. I am independent, but by no means an Independent should someone lay claim to that label as a party moniker. I am not liberal, a conservative, a progressive or even a moderate. I am a Christian, which points toward a certain set of beliefs; it does not determine how those beliefs are expressed and lived out in my daily life and work (sometimes, but not always, this is unfortunate). Merely calling me by the label “Christian” is setting up a host of assumptions that may or may not be true; they must be tested through relationship.
Since it seems folks are leaning toward strictly political responses to your question, and risking the creation of stereotypes often that lead to labels, I will say that I cast my vote for president, for example, then whether my candidate wins or loses I support the winner and celebrate for the wisdom in their leadership and engage myself further as a citizen on those issues and decisions that I believe to be unwise. I appreciate our elected officials as human beings who can be respected even if I strongly disagree with their beliefs, rather than the caricatures to which far too many of my neighbors reduce them.
I am a Citizen. If people are reducing others to presumptuous labels then it is my responsibility to help them correct their ways and build their own character on more solid ground before they denigrate the character of others.

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