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COMMUNITY VOICES
| Thursday, Jul 3 2008 7:11 PM
Last Updated: Thursday, Jul 3 2008 7:16 PM
With so much bad news and negative opinions about America being expressed on a daily basis, this might even strike some as an unusual question.
Sure, gasoline is at record high prices, but it could be worse, couldn't it? In many places in Europe today, $5 a gallon gasoline would be considered cheap! I can't recall driving up to any gas stations recently which had signs posted saying "no gas today," or "maximum amount: 10 gallons per vehicle."
What about housing foreclosures? You've probably heard that these continue at record rates in California, but most forecasters seem to be predicting this trend to be turning around later this year.
Unemployment? Recently it was determined to be about 5.5 percent nationally. Certainly up from recent trends, but neither as high as it's been previously in the U.S., or as high as it is now in many foreign countries.
So, what's so good about America?
We still enjoy the freedom to express opinions in public forums, and debate issues upon which we differ without fear of reprisal.
We can work for whomever we choose, and within our financial means, live wherever we choose to live. No one officially tells us whom we should marry, or how many children we should have. We have the freedom to choose whether to acknowledge and worship God, and if so, which church or religious faith to belong to.
When we go to the grocery store (of which we have many choices), we are presented with a tremendous variety of items, with many different options and brands. Not so in many foreign countries regardless of what you are prepared to pay.
What about automobiles? We can choose from both domestic and foreign manufacturers, with tremendous ranges in mileage, comfort features, colors and financing plans. We can belong to as many (or as few) clubs or organizations as we choose.
Each of us enjoys access to the beauty of our many state and federal parks, forests and beaches. Each registered voter in America will have the opportunity to vote for the candidates of their choice and for or against various state and local issues in November.
Beyond all of these personal freedoms, what about being a part of one of the most generous and caring countries in the world? For all the public trashing of America by former U.S. presidents, Hollywood actors and musicians and other public figures, the actions of Americans speak much louder than their words.
In 2006, Americans gave more than $260 billion to charitable causes, many of them donated to international relief efforts amounting to about $900 per American citizen men, women and children! And we remain the most generous country in the world, according to the book "Who Really Cares" by Syracuse University professor Arthur Brooks.
At this time of year, when we celebrate American independence, let's remember to thank our men and women in active military service and our many veterans, who have fought to maintain our freedoms.
This year, I ask you to join me in taking pride in, and being grateful for, the endless list of freedoms, benefits and privileges we enjoy as Americans. I, for one, am proud to be an American! There is no other country in the world that even comes close.
Bill Boyer of Bakersfield manages the gas operations for a local independent oil and gas company. He also is active in the Western States Petroleum Association and the California Independent Petroleum Association. Community Voices is an expanded commentary that may contain up to 500 words. The Californian reserves the right to reprint commentaries in all formats, including on its Web page.