On previous Independence Days I have expressed my thoughts and feelings about the day’s significance in several forums. As the day of independence of my adopted country, this occasion has always been very special to me. This year, I happened to spend the weeks leading up to this Fourth of July weekend in my native country visiting relatives, enjoying its magnificent natural beauty and variety and admiring the progress made by Ecuador in so many areas.
That is why this somewhat abbreviated and last minute writing to help celebrate the 235th anniversary of our country’s independence.
Looking back at some of my past reflections, there is really not much more I can add to express my feelings of pride of living in America and being an American, my admiration for its greatness and my gratitude for our freedoms and for our commitment to defend such freedoms.
However, it would be somewhat disingenuous for me to just revel in what makes America great and not to acknowledge some of the concerns and sadness I have felt, especially during the past ten years or so, over the deep divisions in our country when it comes to national security, social and civil rights issues and not to express my hopes for an even better America.
Yes, on this Fourth of July America continues to be the greatest, the most “exceptional” country on the planet, but we are not perfect yet. We may never be perfect, but recognizing our own weaknesses and faults along with the strengths of other nations and cultures and striving to correct such weaknesses and emulating such strengths may take our country to even greater heights of prosperity, influence, respect and unparalleled “liberty and justice for all.”
An editorial in USA TODAY on the occasion of our celebration perhaps expresses such thoughts best. It acknowledges our strengths and encourages us to improve upon areas that can use improvement.
The editorial begins:
As the United States celebrates the 235th anniversary of its independence this Fourth of July weekend, a doctrine known as “American exceptionalism” holds that the USA is different from — even superior to — other nations.
To some degree, this self-congratulation is appropriate. America is exceptional, and we Americans have many reasons for pride: our ingenious Constitution and commitment to the freedoms it guarantees; our history of invention, innovation and enterprise; our melting-pot diversity and our military superiority, just to name a few.
But American exceptionalism is also an invitation to smugness when just the opposite is needed. The nation does not hold a monopoly on wise policies. Far from it, as evidenced by our shrinking manufacturing base, underperforming schools and dysfunctional health care system.
Rather than reveling in our greatness or turning up our noses at other countries, American leaders should be studying the best practices abroad and bringing them back home.
The article continues with reviews of education in Finland, manufacturing in Germany and housing finance in Canada and promises to continue to offer “a menu of appealing policy choices” from other nations in the coming months.
Having said all this, it was a great feeling when the airplane bringing me back home touched down on American soil last night, the soil of the world’s greatest country—a truly exceptional country.
I wish our readers a great conclusion to another fabulous Fourth of July weekend.
Image, courtesy U.S. Air Force
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.