Being Amer.I.can

November starts my annual “Season of Gratitude” prompted by our celebrations of some amazing events and holidays to prepare us for the opportunities of a New Year including Election Day, Marine Corp Birthday, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Kwanza, Hanukkah, World Kindness Day (Nov 13) and many other important days (about 40+) between Nov 1 and Jan 1. It is with gratitude that I write a perspective that is not designed to be divisive or political but grounded in some important truths that make me grateful for being an American. 

I am an American. Not an Amer.I.can’t.  I believe in the United States of America.  I believe that we ALL share in unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe these rights are universal and can’t be taken away or denied. That is what “unalienable” means. I believe in “E Pluribus Unum” the Motto of the USA; out of many, one. Both the “one and the many” are pretty important as we chart our future together. I believe in the rights of all people, everywhere. “We the people, “ are the three greatest words that start the foundation of our important experiment called Democracy. The goal of our country was intelligently outlined in that first sentence: “in order, to form a more perfect Union”.  Unity, One, United and Union seemed to be the seeds of our freedom and rights as Americans. I also respect the words “a more perfect” because it talks to our commitment to discuss, dialogue, debate and even CHANGE the way we achieve this important objective called unity. It was as if our founding fathers are telling us: “we might not have it right but we can strive to make it better and more perfect.” That is why our future is more important than our past for both the country and its citizens. The future is bright and the best is yet to come, as we constantly attempt to make democracy more perfect for our changing times.  We have a responsibly in this process to keep moving forward and help figure it out with both the “one and the many” in mind. 

I know we are all created equally, another undeniable fact. I also believe in the motto, “In God we trust” because TRUST is a critical ingredient in truth and God (Love and supreme intelligence) is present in everything. In America, you also have the right to have your own views and express them in ways that do not harm fellow citizens. This is called Freedom of Speech and expression. I believe in equality in every way. Practicing equality is an individual choice but has an important impact on the whole. I believe that “right is might” and not: male or a female; black or white; Democrats or Republicans; Old or Young; Religion A versus Religion B; Citizen or immigrant; US against the world.  Our groups and organizations make us smarter, stronger and highlight areas that we need to change and evolve but our categories are limiting and dividing us in America today, not enhancing our society. Common decency and dialogue have turned to defending a position and holding ground, or proving someone wrong or worse yet engaging in character assassination.  Don’t let our groups and organizations lead us down a road to have a negative impact on the one in order to justify the many. All critical to the “one and the many” as we focus on unity.

Honor, respect, decency, trust and courage are the characteristics that set America apart. We all have to be better in order to keep the American dream alive. As Americans, we need to always demonstrate our core values of liberty, equality, democracy, individualism, unity, and diversity.  These core values are more than “beliefs”, but ways to visibly demonstrate and practice the critical characteristics of our democracy that continues to act as a beacon to the world.  This is America, the land of the free because of the brave. Freedom and bravery occur because we embrace and accept these important core values.   

I know we are a country of laws and due process. Our system is built on the belief and practice that we are innocent until proven guilty. Facts and proof instead of public opinion are the critical components of justice. Justice is a critical ingredient to America and our laws and systems are designed to avoid the “rule of the mob”. I believe that we can peacefully protest and ensure our voices our heard. I don’t believe I am always right and you are always wrong and I expect the same courtesy from you. This allows for “the discussions” to occur where we respect each other even if we have different beliefs. I can love my neighbor even if they are different from me and believe things that I don’t believe.      

During the McCarthy era, senate hearing took the place of our judicial system to determine the fate of men or women without due process. Public hearings and public opinion where used to eliminate the rights of the individual by abandoning the right to “presumption of innocence”. “Presumption of Innocence is a legal right of the accused in a criminal trial, and it is an international human right under the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 11. Under the presumption of innocence, the legal burden of proof is thus on the prosecution, which must collect and present compelling evidence to the trier of fact.”  Every elected official, every law enforcements organization and every investigative body needs to hold the rights of all Americans as more important than the temporal comfort of public opinion or the grandstanding for political exposure. Journalists and our media need to go back to their jobs focused on reporting the news and not focusing on selectively reporting the noise and creating drama. Fake and Fact need never be confused otherwise we will see a repeat of darker times.

We have to live by the rules that we all agreed too even if they are imperfect as we strive to make them better. The men and women, who we have elected to protect the promise of the USA, represent us as Americans and ensure we live to a higher standard, need to be our pillars of integrity, promoting trust, unity and civility.  We need to bring to an end the era when our elected officials only care about money, elections, ego and self-preservation.  It is a time to end distrust, disunity, chaos, special interests and a governing cast system.  We deserve better and we can do better. It is time for our representatives in Washington and throughout the world to do their jobs, as our founders, the original citizen statesmen, intended for our country. We are Americans and that is what we expect. 

In America we are:

• Left, center, right and everything in between;
• Independent, conservative, liberal and moderate;
• Democrats, Republicans, independents and other political parties;
• White, black and every shade in between;
• A member of any and every religion;
• Introvert and extrovert;
• A member of every race, creed and color;
• A male; A Female and any other gender;
• We embrace Hope and the future; 
• We are Americans; E Pluribus Unum; out of many, ONE; all people are created equal. 

So let’s get down to being Amer.I.cans because we can never be Amer.I.can’t. 

I am grateful for America and for the men and women who protect her and make her great.  I am grateful for the right to Vote and those that have died to provide all free men and women this right.  I am grateful that we strive to ensure that the best days in America are the ones in which we have not seen the sun rise or set on our fair land.  I am grateful for my family, my friends and my coworkers as we all prepare for a peaceful and joyful holiday season.    

God Bless the USA.  My parents taught me that opportunities should be faced with gratitude, respect and an expectation to earn what you receive (good or bad). Democracy is not something we should take for granted but something to work hard in order to realize too the fullest.  Be well and don’t forget to VOTE on Tuesday.  Celebrate, enjoy and have a great “Season of Gratitude.”