Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks! A day to reflect upon all our blessings, and as Americans we are extremely blessed to be living in one of the greatest countries in the world.
So we're not perfect. Which country is?! We have our problems. But in spite of all our shortcomings, and as often as foreigners vehemently claim to hate and despise us, the U.S. is the country most people dream of coming to. Because this is the "land of opportunity" where, with a little effort and sometimes no effort at all, anyone can be anything they choose to be. Where education is encouraged for both men and women. Where a woman can do a man's job and vice versa. Where we can criticise our government and politicians without being thrown into jail and tortured or killed. Where our politicians are (usually) held accountable and we can vote, in or out, for whomever we choose, and we do and have. Where we have access to news that is not censored. Where we can demonstrate, if we choose to, against or about pretty much anything we choose to. Where women can wear what they want without being beaten and stoned for showing their arms or a tuft of hair. Where we can worship in a temple, church, synagogue, mosque or wherever we choose to commune with God, or not worship at all. Where we have access to alternative medicine and our supplements and herbs are not rigorously and overly regulated. Where we can travel, without restriction, throughout this country and abroad. Where life is what you make of it, and you can make anything of your life. Where we don't live in fear of daily suicide bombings.
This is what freedom and democracy are all about. The freedom to choose what we want for our lives. Not to have those choices dictated by militant religious or political dogma. This is the "land of the free" and "the home of the brave."
God Bless these United States of America and those brave men and women who serve in our armed forces who fight to maintain the freedoms that we have!
We have much to be thankful for!
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