Homework for today: What's the most important thing about being an American?

[Chadman]

Although this thread disintegrated into garbage time, I wanted to update everyone that it was pretty interesting to read the responses that the boy was given. Some different themes, depending on the person and stage in life. Some simplistic, some extremely in-depth.

A great project, I thought. Thanks for the thoughts - some of them...

 

[marine]

My opinion (answer to the original question)

The most important thing about being an American is to be able to understand the concept of "give a little to get a lot"

As simple as that.
Example given: Help a little kid and teach them to do something or spend time with them and give a little of your time to them... you just got a friend for life.

 

[Jabberwocky]

"Any person with ambition and a good attitude has no limits."

Yeah, you can make a bunch of money and invest it in Chinese stocks. Or you could start a company, make billions of dollars in war profiteering embezzlement, and then move to Dubai.

This land of opportunity is being pillaged by a bunch of multi-nationalist corporations that want to bankrupt the USA and turn it into a third world nation and the flag waving, "support our troops" bumber sticker idiots who back these thieves think of themselves as good Americans. We are in serious trouble.

 

[WhatsHisNuts]

Most important part about being an American is your right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. While this question might seem easy enough, it's actually tough to answer. The concept of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" covers quite a bit of ground and really rings true with me.

I think some of the people that post in this forum could go with "the right to blindly follow the leader of my political party" and it would be (unfortunately) accurate.

 

[The Sponge]

Because my interpretation of something is different than yours does not make you any more right than it makes me.

Stop telling me how to vote.
Maybe we should just cancel the elections next november and let you pick for us.

The world would be a much better place if only i could. You wouldn't have a guy representing you that time after time after time falls for sound bites and con men.

 

[SixFive]

what sad responses by sponge and especially spytheweb. What a miserable focking loser he is.

Agree with what dtb said on what it means to be an American, and thank you dtb and all others who have fought to protect our precious freedom (even dolts like spytheweb).

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

I always associated being an American with "Rugged Individualism"

Ideally this means you work hard. Keep your head down and take care of your family with the right mixture of brains and sweat.

You mind your own business, live and let live. If you don't like your neighbor you build a fence and shut the F up. If you do, you invite him over for a BBQ.

You come together to serve your community when needed, and defend your country when in danger.

You explore new frontiers and never play it safe.

Basically you are free to do what you want, so long as you don't prevent others from doing what they want.

<sniffle sniffle>

I like your reply

Chad I would be interested in response given by the boys--I have an idea they will cream of the crop.

 

[JCDunkDogs]

What a great topic, Chad. Here are some thoughts of mine...

America is...the great experiment in self-rule...a place where a person can go as far as their drive and ingenuity will take them...a place were freedom of thought is universal, and where freedom of speech is the rule...(I know this is corny).

...the rest later.

 

[JCDunkDogs]

...and the most important thing about being an American is that each of us, as citizens of the USA, can say that we come from the greatest nation that has ever existed in the history of man (and woman).

(...if only the government weren't reading all of my emails).

 

[Chadman]

Wayne, he turned it in this AM, so hopefully it will come back. For the record, I don't think any of the thoughtful posts made here were corny, tearful, etc. I don't think anybody should ever have to apologize for taking the time to stop and think about something important from time to time.

The one I remember and had a little fun with was my sons cousin, whose main important thing was being able to drive a car. I guess everything remains relative to ones lot in life, doesn't it?