We were visiting a small town in France yesterday when my wife asked someone from group of students where he was from. There was silence. When prodded a little his head dropped in the look of embarrassment and he said “America”. I was really taken back by this. Pardon my French but why the would anyone be embarrassed to be from the United States of America? We aren’t perfect and we have some very difficult problems to overcome……but we will overcome them as we always do…..as long as we have the freedom to do so. On this 4th of July when the United States celebrates with cookouts, fireworks and reflection of what it means to be free, wouldn’t it be nice if the rest of the world held a debate on “what if?” What if the United States never came into being? What would the world look like today if the United States of America never existed? What would Europe look like? Would emerging countries be emerging? Would there be more hunger? I wish I could find that student again and ask him that very question. The French are proud of their country, as are the British, Italians, German’s etc. They should be proud…..but so should American’s. May we continue to be the beacon of hope for the world and the model of the success that can be had when freedom reigns.
