Globalization is the term we hear describing the world we live in today. Everyone coming together, setting aside personal differences, and working as a team to solve problems is the dream of this movement. It’s not a bad idea, except for the fact the cultures of many societies are simply swept under the rug.

            Nations from around the world have their differences. These differences include language, culture, and in many cases, religion. Finding common ground is often difficult. However, the one issue many of these countries have in common is criticizing America.

            Our nation has become the world’s punching bag on many issues. These nations see us as the ultimate evil in the world; it’s amazing at how many people from those countries enjoy coming to our spot of ground to live and to get an education. 

Once these individuals return home they begin using what we give them against us. We give millions of dollars in aid to various countries, but as we were attacked on 9-11, citizens of those countries were dancing in the streets in celebration.

Many European countries often tell us we need to simply mind our own business and not get involved with other nations activities. This is all well and good, but if it wasn’t for America getting involved –on two separate occasions I might add- those European nations would today be speaking German. Other nations criticize us, but when they get into trouble, America is the first call they make.

I don’t apologize for being an American because of this and many other issues. If it wasn’t for America sending food and medicine to other countries around the word, people would starve to death or die of curable diseases. 

Our nation faces criticism from within as well. Years ago, when immigrants came to this country, they wanted to have a better life. They left behind the oppression of their native countries and adopted the language and the culture of America. 

Unfortunately, many of the immigrants today want to keep their native language and culture while enjoying the benefits of America. We give them their freedoms – rights not returned in their native countries by the way- and they use those freedoms to criticize us and our way of life.

 We welcome those who want to join us in this great land and become part of who we are as Americans. However, I would like to say to those who would rather use their freedom of speech, which we give to all, simply to criticize us; this is our land, our flag and our way of life.

Most of us work hard to make a better living for our families. We salute the flag and many of us still bow our heads in thanks at the dinner table. Our culture may be upsetting to others, but it is just that, our culture, and we shouldn’t apologize for it.

            Recently, there was a story on ABC News that discussed the growing political polarization facing our nation. One statement in the story reads, “Like minded people are pushed to more and more extreme positions when they group together.” Are we growing apart as a nation? And if so, what is causing this division?

            Imagine for a moment a family has their home just how they want it. They have pictures of close relatives and friends hanging on the wall as well as monuments such as The Ten Commandments placed around their property. Each day, time is spent reading from the Bible as well as keeping many other time-honored traditions handed down from generations past.

            These homeowners are always looking to bring in others to enjoy their good fortune with them, welcoming them with open arms. After many years and many individuals added to the household, there come in a few who want to change everything. These individuals want to take down the pictures and monuments in order to set up their own.

            Changing those time-honored traditions are something else these individuals are working for as well, and when someone says something to them about what they are doing, they reply, “YOUR CAUSING DIVISION!”

            The home I’m speaking of is our great homeland with all of its traditions and heritage. Those who scream the most about tolerance are often the most intolerant if someone disagrees with them. Pushing the envelope to the extreme to rewrite our history and way of life is often accompanied by degrading those who may disagree with the policies used.  

Political correctness has gone to the extreme by pushing out what once was common place. In our area, school children aren’t allowed to have prayer at their graduation ceremonies because of this so called inclusiveness of today. “Prayer may offend someone,” they say. This kind of rhetoric has now gotten to the point of offending me. The one right that isn’t found in the Constitution is the right not to be offended.

The definition of marriage, public display of the Ten Commandments, and many other issues are heavily debated today. Those who want to keep to the traditions of this country are the ones blamed for offending others. Should we cast off who we are as Americans simply because it may offend someone? I think not.