Summer CE Week #2: “Commentary: What’s right with America? Plenty”
by Glenn Beck
Editor’s note: Glenn Beck is on CNN Headline News nightly at 7 and 9 ET and also hosts a conservative national radio talk show.
NEW YORK (CNN) — A few days before the Fourth of July, I read a column in The Philadelphia Inquirer that said America didn’t deserve to celebrate its independence this year.
It claimed that all of our so-called atrocities have shamed the memory of our founding fathers and, as a result, we should cancel our parades, put away our fireworks and all sit quietly while we atone for our sins.
I guess that was one way to go.
Another way to go would be to fire up the grills, bring the kids to the beach,and gather the family on a blanket to watch as your tax dollars ignite into colorful bursts.
I’m guessing that most of us chose the second option.
But just because I had fun with friends and family doesn’t mean that I believe America is perfect. It just means that, for one day, I chose to celebrate the fact that America is still closer to perfect than any other country in the history of the world.
For 364 days a year we talk about high gas prices, crooked politicians, and how much people from one political party allegedly hate everyone from the other. But for 24 hours we get to put it all aside and marvel at how a few brave men risked their lives to stand up for what they believed in. Of course, I would prefer we celebrate that every day, but for now, or at least until that Inquirer columnist gets elected president and bans it, I’ll take the one.
As someone who works in the media in New York City, I’ll admit that I am part of the chorus of people who talk about our problems. But there’s nothing wrong with that, so long as you also occasionally take the time to talk about the other side. And that’s what I want to do now by asking the question that never seems to be of interest to the mainstream media: What’s right with America?
Let’s start with our much maligned economy. I’m not trying to sugarcoat it, times are definitely tough for an awful lot of families right now. But you know what? We’ve made it through a depression; we’ve made it through wars, oil shocks, and major terrorist attacks and we’re still standing. In fact, we’re not just standing, we’re towering over the rest of the world.
Our economy is almost as big as the next four largest economies on Earth (Japan, Germany, China and Great Britain) combined. The state of California alone has an economy as large as the entire country of France. Illinois has the same GDP as all of Mexico. New York matches the entire GDP of Brazil. Florida’s economy is as large as South Korea’s. Texas has a GDP roughly equal to Canada’s. Michigan’s economy is as large as the entire country of Argentina.
It takes a lot longer to turn around an aircraft carrier than it does a dinghy, but the problem we have is with our ship’s captain — the pea-brains in Washington — not her crew.
What’s right with America? How about the way we educate our children. Sure, I complain a lot about left-wing professors and how some wealthy private universities hoard their billions while charging obscene amounts for tuition, but the truth is that our universities are always ranked among the best in the world.
Students aren’t fleeing America to go to college in Japan, India, or China — it’s the other way around. We open our colleges and universities to more than 80,000 foreign professors, scholars and educators a year and we have more students in college right now than those three countries combined.
What’s right with America? Our world-class universities don’t require you to have an elite family name or Rockefeller-type wealth to get in. We don’t care about your race, gender or nationality. You just have to be smart enough and work hard for it. What a concept, huh?
What’s right with America? How about the way we treat the less fortunate? With no help from our government, Americans gave a record $306 billion to charities last year alone. We give twice as much as the next closest country and, relative to the size of our economies, we give 1,000 percent more than the French.
What’s right with America? It’s not just the wealthy who are generous. Two-thirds of American families making under $100,000 a year give to charity. Compassion is ingrained in our culture like no other.
What’s right with America? How about our supposedly third-world health care system? We spend more on health care per person than Switzerland, Germany, Canada, or any other country you can think of. Do we still have problems? Absolutely, but don’t fall for “the grass is greener” crowd; every country has health care problems.
What’s right with America? We love our country. World Values Survey found that 77 percent of Americans are very proud of their nationality. That puts us in a first place tie with the Irish. Australia was next and no one else was really even close.
I could go on and on, but my point is that we don’t need the so often wished for “change” in this country, we just need perspective.
While most of us inherently know that we’ve won the lottery by living here, we don’t often think about the reasons why.
So, for at least that one day, let’s just remember that America still leads the world in the principles that matter most: The rule of law, freedom of religion, equal rights, freedom from an oppressive government and, fortunately for the Philadelphia Inquirer, freedom of speech.
This article was suggested by R. Damiano
The first thing I would like to say is that The Philadelphia Inquirer may believe we don’t deserve celebrating our independence, but millions of American’s believe we should. This is the one day when everyone can enjoy time with their family and appreciate the men who gave their lives to win independence from Britain. But some of the reasoning the writer gave for Americans to celebrate the Fourth of July have both good and bad aspects that need to be considered. The first proof the writer gave was the way we educate our children, and how our colleges are the best in the world and they don’t require you to be rich or important to attend. While this is true about our educational system, we seem to forget about the inner-city schools and low income schools that can barely teach children let along pay the staff for their work. We also forget about the people who can’t attend college because they can’t afford tuition or are rejected because another student was able to pay their way into the school. Another point that is made is the way we treat the less fortunate and how everyone seems to donate to charity. This may be true, because more and more Americans donate not only money, but they also donate clothing, food, and other necessities. But did they donate because they wanted to, or did they get money back on their tax return for donating to a charity? Recently, people who file taxes are asked if they donated to charities and if they do they get money back on their tax return for being “generous”. Companies and big corporations also have less to pay on their taxes if they donate to a charity. This doesn’t seem like they donated out of the kindness of their own hearts. Another point made is how America spends more on health care than any other nation. This may be a true, but it seems as though we forget about all the Americans (mostly children and low income families) who don’t have any health care available and many times die from an illness that could have been treated if they had insurance. We seem to want to forget about all the bad things, but we never can forget about people who can’t afford to live like a human but rather live like an animal. I support people and our country for gaining our independence, because we are able to have freedoms many countries don’t have. But, we can’t forget about what truly matters. Celebrate our Independence, but don’t let that make you forget about what needs to change. Would our Founding Fathers settle for this type of treatment of Americans or would they try to fix these problems?
Mainstream media does tend to focus on what is wrong. Most companies and people are concerned most with what is wrong. However, some of what is right does manage to make its way through to gain some kind of coverage. In reference to our country’s Independence Day, we focused heavily on what we believed was wrong and went about attempting to making those things right. If we have shamed our founding fathers, we still operate under most of their laws, ideals, and objectives. And it is those principles that set us above the rest of the world. I disagree with the statement about the “pea-brains” in Washington being the problem with focusing on what is wrong. Those “pea-brains” were elected by their crew. So, if we have a problem, we should probably start using the fire extinguisher on the base of the fire. After all, perspective is a very good thing to have. Perspective can allow one to see both sides in order to see what is wrong and what is right. America still deserves to celebrate its Independence Day. It serves as a yearly reminder of why we are the country that we are and helps to remind us of the principles that our country was founded on.
I LOVE debating America’s legitimacy! I think this article was calling my name…
Undoubtedly America is victorious economically, idealistically, and politically. But just because we are “elite” comparatively to other countries, that doesn’t make us “right.” It is slightly disturbing that power equates to righteousness.
Example of the American attitude: My healthcare system is expensive and possibly inefficient, but it’s right because it’s better than yours! Did anyone catch the ridiculousness of that situation? The “I am better than you” attitude is possibly the main fuel for America’s corruption. America’s view of it self has become entirely arrogant, ignorant, and perverted. But how can America break our vicious habit pompousness?
We, as American’s are too comfortable! Once convenience has nationally become a way of life, there is extensive evidence of a nation’s downward spiral. We (Americans) simply need to recognize that, although we are considered “the best,” there is incredible room for improvement.
The author of the article says, “my point is that we don’t need the so often wished for “change” in this country, we just need perspective.” I disagree. Always change for the better! The optimistic view of the world may be cute and satisfying, but pessimism is a necessary ingredient for hope. First, we have to recognize wrong, then learn to transform that wrong to a right.
America and I have a love hate relationship…
While I was sitting here reading this article, one of my little 6 year old friends at the rink ran up to me to ask what I was doing. I responded, “I am thanking God that I live in America and not a different country.” When I asked her what she thought was right in America, she responded, “Because there are nice people around,” out of the mouth of babes. Americans have it so good here in the US. We have more freedoms than most countries in the world. We can have this blog and talk about our government without being arrested or killed. Yea, some of our laws are absurd. Sure, we have problems with our government, but don’t all countries. Look at England, they sit in parliament and yell at each other all day. We are so lucky to live here. Our military is of the finest caliber and our men and women voluntarily fight to keep our freedoms and fight for the freedoms of others. We have a free enterprise system. We have the freedom of religion, speech, press… We have laws that keep our citizens safe. We have people to enforce those laws. We have a great economy, no matter what the critics say. We have beautiful landscapes. We have blue skies. We have natural resources. We have rights, liberties, and freedoms. We have lives that we can live without someone dictating how to live them. We are blessed.
Hillary- I can’t stand it when people complain about our country. Our country is incredible and we Americans are so much more lucky than most other countries. We don’t have to deal with the filthy conditions of Chinese street life, or the violent rebels of Uganda, or deal with a psychopath leader. We have a country that is so set on improving conditions that it’s become highly competitive with itself politically. We are constantly working to improve things like education and job welfare. We’re are very fortunate.
I don’t know where you got your information that we Americans think we are better than the world and are conceited, but that sounds like a pretty hasty generalization.
There is nothing wrong with wanting a change, but complaining about something not changing and not even putting up suggestions is just frustrating and unproductive.
Im going to be straight up I think this guy is ridiculous. He makes America look like this place where everyone is accepted and if youre living in America youre living the high life. As said earlier in the posts most places that donated money to charity was more than likely for the purpose of getting a tax cut. Also money isnt going to do much if theres no one to actually do the work. It much easier to put $20 in a charity box than to get up walk outside of the sheltered house you live in and actually go do something to make a difference. Yeah sure we have the most guaranteed freedoms out of any country but it does us no good if we cant use them. People take advantages of these freedoms. I dont mean to offend but I’m sure most of us will never see the other side and what its like to be in a living in a wealthy country and be homeless on the street. Or have your car egged for being of a different religion. America is a very sheltering place even within itself. America to an extent isnt as great as people make it seem. They talk about its greatness because they see the benefits of it. Take the health care thing for example. The US may spend the most on health care but how much of the country actually sees the power of it. And the reason places like Canada and Germany spend less is because its less populated. and they have socialized medicine which means every citizen is guarenteed the same amount of basic care as the next person. Here if you dont have insurance youre lucky to be able to even see a doctor.
In the end we think its great because we get to see the benefits of it but really we arent the place we think we are.
In response to Cody and Hilary, I completely agree with Cody when he says that he hates when people complain about our country. Let me rephrase that. I hate when people do nothing but complain about our country. The occasional whine here and there can be tolerated, but not the incessant ranting of a hate-struck American. If they hate this country so much, try living in a different country for a while. Hilary, I would not go so far as to say that the average American has a perverted view of our grand country. It is indeed a hasty and sweeping generalization. In response to Hilary’s idea that the entire country lives in comfort, well, just look at all the homeless and neglected in our country, totaling almost 2 million in homeless and children in foster care alone, you will see that this idea is unfounded. There are many Americans that have an extremely uppity attitude, but so do the Irish, English, French, Russians, Germans… need I go on? America is a super power and we are the best country in the world, biased aside of course. Even I complain about our nation but on a whole, we live in an AMAZING country.
Good article Rachel D! I was born on the 4th of July so it might just be in my blood, but America is represented so well on Independence Day. We show affection for our country. We celebrate that we live in such a wonderful country instead of complaining about it. It’s nice to see someone rooting for the good old U. S. A. People today are too caught up in pessimistic ideas about big, bad America, when really they don’t call it “living the American dream” for nothing.
I am definitely part of the 77 percent who is proud and honored to live here. The 33 percent who isn’t probably can’t honestly say that they don’t respect America (at least). I’m also glad that the writer pointed out “You just have to be smart enough and work hard for it.” That principle could really apply to every opportunity presented to you as an American. Our economy, healthcare, education, and compassion would not have progressed this well if we didn’t work hard. As Americans, we continue to learn and never stop trying to discover something new or different.
As great as this article sounds, it’s sad that we have to be reminded of how amazing America is.
I am going to respond to Jordan’s blog. I can’t see why a small part of our population should be able to speak for the whole of it. As Alli said, 77% of Americans are completely satisfied and proud to live in America. Okay, so completely isn’t the right word, everyone has problems, but on a whole they like living here. i don’t know how many people were in Mr. Ganahl’s class last year, but we had to do a video at the end of the year on unreliable narrators. Our group did it on a girl who was a little too optimistic. It was just one girl in an entire school that looked at her entire life through rose- colored glasses. To say that is how every student lived life would be ridiculous. It is the same with saying all Americans are infatuated with our country. America is a great country but we have our problems just like any other nation. i think pessimistic Americans need to realize that the problems don’t make up the whole. We have it so good here in America, many Americans need to just wake up and smell the roses.
First off, this author is slightly obnoxious in the way he or she (not sure) writes. WE KNOW THE ARTICLE IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT WHAT’S RIGHT IN AMERICA, there was no need to state it over and over.
Getting back on track I both agree and disagree with Beck. Yes, America is very fortunate and we do have a lot going for us, but we also have a lot of down falls.
I too saw the news broadcast of the man who went on national TV stating that America does not deserve to celebrate the forth of July. When first seeing it I thought to myself, wow this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life. Since then I have toned that view down a bit. This guy was a soldier who was seeing life through the perspective of “I fought for my country and right now men and women are fighting for their country and Americans are having barbeques?” I can understand how he might be bitter.
While we are in a war and our economy is struggling, there is still good too. We lean on each other during hard times [911 and Hurricane Katrina]. We donate to charities. We educate our youth to ensure someday maybe they can make a difference in the world. We have men and women who volunteer their lives to make America safer. We [America] are a complex nation, with good and bad just like the rest of the countries in the world.
In response to Rachel Damiano.
Like most people I would probably agree that if I had a choice to live somewhere in the world. America would definitely be higher up on the list than most places. The author needs to show the good side and bad side of things. To some the author comes off as a little too optimistic for reality. I bet that those 77% were those who have benefited from the things that we have such as top-notch universities and great health care but thats only if you can afford it or get lowered costs. The other 33% see and are personally effected by the bad side of America. And most of them are probably a minority in one way or another. In most places in America if you are different you are looked upon as strange or an outcast. Living here in Spokane I have personally been effected by this because I am Jewish. Ive had my car egged for it and people make comments to me. And its not just here, this is all over. It happens around the country just the majority of the population is blind to it because they dont deal with it. Like you said the US just like everywhere else has their problems but as a country only so much is done to help these other little things and only the minimal amount will be done until the little things become as big as the defecit or gas prices.
It is definitely true that most Americans do not appreciate nor realize all the freedoms and the opportunities this country holds for them. Of course if there is success there would also be failure. However, America balances the two so well. The author was right saying that American education board offers a variety of opportunities not only for the local but also for the foreign students. You would not find this in any other country. The economy and domestic affairs could be struggling. But the people working together with the government are holding it up so well. People donate to charities, while the government proposes tax cuts. For Americans it could seem that the economy is struggling, but it is the best in the world. As for me, traveling helped me realize how much we as Americans take for granted. All the things American teenagers have, teens in other countries could not even dream about having. For me, before I moved here…I had not even thought about having a chance to drive. Now I have my own car and instead of walking and catching rides, I drive whenever and wherever I want. But I am thankful for it. I have met people who complain about a car they borrow from their parents…they say “I want my own, and I want it new…” How silly, you would ask. There are people out there who are even worse. So, what I am trying to say is, there are so many things that are right with America, people simply don’t sit down and thing about them. Celebration of 4th of July could have perhaps changed its original meaning, however it’s a holiday that brings families together. What more could you ask for?
Did anyone that responded to my previous blog actually read it?
I LOVE America!!! I stated, in my first blog, that Americans are obviously privileged. However, that privilege is surely being abused…as privileges typically are.
Vast amounts of improvement are always evident and available. Those are potential words of both optimists and pessimists!
In response to Cody specifically… I really admire that you long for the actuality of change, rather than merely discussing change. Logically, discussion leads to realization, which may or may not lead actuality. Thus, the discussion.
I agree, perceiving the world in a negative light is definitely emotionally draining, because the cycle is endless…but the process is necessary nonetheless. Don’t you agree? Living comfortably equates to living ignorantly. Obviously, Americans’ love the “comfortable life”, but seem opposed to the “ignorant life”. Ironic? I think so.
I don’t have an antidote for wrong. I am not the face of righteousness. I am nothing in comparison to everything. However, what on earth are people for if not to promote a greater good? (FYI, America is not the greater good)
America is not perfect and it is certainly not “right.” In its simplest definition, it is a country, specifically, one that I am proud to live in. Does America have flaws? HECK YES. Do I have the answer to everything? HECK NO.
Is that clear?
By the way Cody, your entire response to my blog was a hasty generalization…just throwing down some redirect vocabulary so I can seem smart.
In response to Hilary’s comment, I would have to agree that many Americans have the “I am so much better than you” attitude. It’s simply funny to me to witness Americans’ attitude toward others. I saw a man at Frankfurt airport, waiting for his connection (he was speaking to one of the airport staff), the whole conversation consisted of his dislike of the German language and his refusal to try to learn and speak it in the country. From what I have experienced, you can see an arrogant American from a distance, in a foreign country that is. I have met many American people who simply wont try to fit in with everyone else. On the other hand there are always the proud Americans who respect the people around them, I have not met many of them. Cody was right saying that people live in their sheltered worlds and sometimes really do not want to see how the other side lives. And that is what really could be improved about our society.
Johanna Stafford ripajoriab@aol.com
When I first read the title of this article, two things ran through my head. The first, that someone shared good aspects of America and the second was finally!! Of course the U.S. has problems, but so does everyone else. Why do we dwell so much on what isn’t right and what isn’t perfect. It’s the same as always thinking about what we don’t have instead of what we do have.
The author mentioned education in this article. Many would disagree that we have a good education system because other countries are so much smarter than we are. And yes, in many ways they are, but then how do you explain why many not living in the states come here for college. Many Asians, Russians and so on come here for higher education and most of them are smarter than the average American. Don’t get me wrong, there are many smart Americans. When people start looking for what is right in the imperfect, we can modify if need be.
Now I’m not saying we are perfect, we aren’t perfect and sometimes as a country or those running the country are blind. Both McCain and Obama both promise better solutions for new fuel and everything else linked to energy. Yet Great Britain has had and has been using solar. Why do we need to find a new solution when one has already been provided? Our country has a long way to go, but we are on the RIGHT track.
It’s nice to read an article that isn’t completely bashing everything about America. We all know that America has it’s problems but guess what? We still have people running from their old lives in other countries to come here to start a better life… not always legally but still… It drives me crazy when all people do is complain about America and don’t do anything to change it. We do have a say in the government and we can get out there and promote change. If you don’t like something, don’t sit around and complain. Do something about it. It really annoys me when the media and so many other people are so pessimistic and only focus on problems when everyday they take for granted all the advantages of America. I admit that I do it too. No one is perfect but we do need to get more involved and work on our country’s problems but also appreciate what we have. Like the author said in this article, we have an amazing upper level education system. I’ve started to realize this more and more as I’m looking into different colleges. And even when we’re thinking our economy is in recession, it’s still a million times better than most economies throughout the world. I, for one, feel fortunate to live in America.
Ashley- I think you’re being a little rough on charity and education and well basically on people in general. I tend to not believe that people donate to charities just to get a small tax cut. Especially when that tax cut is a lot less than the amount they donated. It’s not like you donate a dollar and get twenty dollars back on tax cuts. It’s much more like the opposite. Also yes there are low income areas in our country that have trouble getting enough money to teach and pay teachers but it’s not like our country stands by and watches these things. My brother just left for Mississippi to teach in a low-income area on a government program. That right there is an example of the government and the people working together to help the less privileged. Don’t be so rough on our country, we do have problems but we don’t idly stand by. We try to fix them.
In response to Jordan, I am truly sorry for the hardships you have (and most likely will) face because of your specific religious background. It’s sad to think that one of the most technologically-advanced and “superior” countries cannot even move past interior discrimination and auto-rejection based on our differences. “We aren’t the place we think we are” (Jordan Yaeger). I agree with all who claim that there is plenty RIGHT with America, but not all Americans tend to feel this way (obviously the homeless, poor, etc). I believe this is one reason why people are definitely siding with Obama in this election; he is the candidate backed by the supposedly “most effective” plan for economic recovery.
Hilaree- just so you know you should say “USAans” because i don’t think the neighbors to the north and south would appreciate you associating them with your miserable view of our glorious nation.
In response to Hilaree’s response to me, all but your first three sentences were complaining about your so-called “loved” country. In reading your other posts, I have come to realize that you aren’t really actually putting down your own opinions, but just simply stirring the pot to create petty drama and undue tensions. Your direct assaults at people and snide remarks at the end of each of your blogs is just annoying and uncalled for. Stick to material at hand and quit incorporating your own personal vendettas.
Oh, by the way, this entire blog entry was just “redirect vocabulary” to make myself seem smart. Maybe next time “I’ll use my brain”…
note to michelle and codie, try not to get so offended.
I will admit that codie thomthson is right, I do like to “stir the pot.” I do this mainly because my personal opinions are ultimately irreverent…so I actually try keep them to myself (however, inevitably they leak into each of these blogs)
In response to micilo tonwshten, I don’t understand why my spelling errors offend you… I am human, I make grammatical mistakes occasionally. sorry?
In response to codie thomthon- you are completely neglecting the themes of my blogs…a.k.a you are missing the point. Perhaps you should use your brain.
I am glad that someone wants to point out what is right with America. I hardly ever think about the positive things like how we gave $306 billion to charities last year. That’s amazing that we can be so generous. Even though we may just be doing it to get money back on our tax return, like Ashley said, but still, giving to charities helps those in need. And it’s also great that 77% of Americans are proud of their nationality, but sadly there is that 23% who aren’t.
It is nice that someone wants to be optimistic about America but there still are a lot of problems. In my opinion I think that the problems we have are far greater than the good things we have. The optimistic things the author mentions are pretty weak compared to the problems we have like the economy and war right now. But knowing that we have these problems makes us take action to solve them and maybe we will have more optimism towards America if these problems are solved.
We should celebrate the fourth of July no matter what. We didn’t do anything to not deserve to celebrate it. Times may be tough for a lot of people right now but that doesn’t mean we don’t celebrate our independence day.
Mr. Beck is definitely closer to what’s right than Mr. Satullo. Mr. Satullo must be a flagellant, because his thoughts are of taking the bad and feeling bad about what’s bad. All of the things that he cited in his article were horrendous examples of wrongdoing. But that doesn’t mean that everyone in America should suffer. Telling everyone to cancel Independence Day is telling everyone not to honor the men who fought for freedom. And it doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, if someone is worth honoring, then it is worth anyone’s time to honor them. Also, if Independence Day was canceled, it would do more damage than Mr. Satullo thinks. Mr. Satullo must also believe in Original Sin, because little kids who just want to see a parade and fireworks and hear stories about wooden teeth and cherry trees will miss out for a reason they don’t even understand. A reason they didn’t contribute to. Mr. Beck put the situation perfectly by saying that bad things have happened, but that there’s so much more good than evil. If we focus on what’s evil, that’s all we’ll see. No good gets done by pondering the evils that happen in the world. Fixing the evils is much more effective. Mr. Satullo needs to remember that writing makes people aware but people doing things solves problems. He ought to remember that not celebrating those men in the Revolutionary War, and really, anyone who has stood up for those ideals now and since is a great thing. He should be grateful that he lives in America, because, chances are, were he living somewhere else, he would not be allowed to say what he did about his country. In conclusion, bad things happen; people do bad things. Instead of writing how we can hate ourselves, let’s talk about how we can better ourselves.