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But in most countries it would mean you would go hungry or be cold. If you were too tired to walk the mile to the well, you and your family would have no water. If you blew off tending to the family animals, they might get sick and die and you would be that much closer to starvation. Every day is a struggle to survive in many countries of this world and it is a struggle that young, old, healthy, sick and/or poor are involved in. Tired or feeling lazy or not.

These are just a few of the reasons for being proud of America and to be proud of being an American. Regardless of what country you or your parents were born in, what gender you are, and what beliefs you hold, I think you are beginning to see some of America’s greatness.

Ever wonder why so many people want to come to this country? Why they are willing to leave behind family and friends? Why they are willing to come here even when they can’t speak the language, have no job, and no idea where they will live? Would you leave America, your family, your friends and go to a country where you didn’t know anyone? Not only do you not know anyone but you can’t speak or understand the language and you have little or no money?

What causes people to do that? Do you think they are adventurous, looking for a vacation, something different? Yes, they seek something different and it’s called a better way of life. They have heard or read about America probably in a classroom or from Americans who have visited their country or people in the area who have been and may still be in America. They like what they hear. And what they hear is that America is the land of opportunity for those who are willing to work, that there is freedom to be found in America. That you can think as you like and speak what you want without fear of the government throwing you in jail or killing you or threatening your family. That you can worship the God of your choice in the manner you choose. FREEDOM! OPPORTUNITY! No barriers such as race, color, age, sex, family connections or beliefs. America is a beacon for people all over the world.

Do you wonder why people condemn America, put her down, and show no respect for her? What do you think the reasons are for this? First, isn’t it wonderful to live in a country where this can happen? Freedom of speech is guaranteed in our basic document of law, the Constitution.

Second, this attitude of no respect occurs often because we don’t know our history. We forget or don’t know that Americans have died on foreign soils, not to expand this nation’s reach, but to ensure other people’s freedoms and to protect their lives. Often, people who don’t accept our ideas or our way of life have been recipients of our protection simply because they were weak and unable to defend themselves.

American history, all history, needs to be studied remembering the prevailing attitudes of the time you are studying. It’s easy for us today, to look back and point out the “sins of our fathers.” But if you were living during that time would you have acted any differently? How can we know the answer to that question? Maybe this exercise will help you understand my point.

You are living in a time when illegal immigration into this country is a “hot” topic. How do you feel about it? If you could write the laws concerning this issue what would they look like? Or would you ignore the problem? Open our borders and let everyone in? Put the military at the borders and let no one in? Build a longer, higher fence? Dig a deep and wide moat? Charge people money to come in?

Or have you even thought about the problem? Are you so busy with your day-to-day life you haven’t had time to give it any consideration? Is your attitude: since it doesn’t directly impact me, I’m not concerned about it? Or, I just don’t care? Or, I don’t know the best answer so I’ll let others come up with an answer? Or, illegal immigrants? What illegal immigrants? Whatever your answer there are others who have that same answer. Is it the right one, the best one? Time will tell and a hundred years from now, someone, somewhere will judge that answer as they study their history, which is our current times. They won’t know you nor will they know much about what your life was like except in generalities. But they will decide if you, if America, did a good job or a poor job concerning illegal immigrants.

Another point I need to make is judging a country and its actions is like judging people you know. If you like them and they misbehave, you tend to forgive them and to overlook the behavior. If you don’t like them and they misbehave, you’re more likely to be angry with them and hold the bad behavior against them. Has that been your experience?

Popular sentiment plays into judging a country and its actions as well. We are all affected by how people around us think. Many of us follow the crowd without realizing that is what motivates our behavior. We all want approval and before you know it, we’ve adopted ideas to get that approval.

Often times we haven’t really thought about what is being presented. Sometimes those ideas were presented just to get us thinking. Sometimes they were presented so the presenter could be different from everyone else. Sometimes the presenter has read and learned only one side of the issue and that’s all they know. (Remember there are three sides to every story; his, hers and the TRUTH.) And what you are hearing is supported by the group you hang with. Everywhere you go it seems all agree that America is a terrible country, and you might be tempted to agree. But think about the things you’ve read on this page and ask yourself, is that really true? Is America really a terrible country or is it just popular to bash her these days? Do the mistakes she’s made outweigh the good she has done, is doing and will continue to do? Are people backing up their position with facts or with emotional appeal?

Be a critical thinker. Don’t simply accept what people say. Ask for sources, definitions, and think about what assumptions the speaker is making and presenting as fact.

We at USA1st believe that if you apply critical thinking you will, as we do, believe that being an American is something to be proud of.]]> no_email@example.com (jlajax) http://patriotismamericana.org/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=89#89 http://patriotismamericana.org/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=84#84
Our program (link to page that explains program) was designed specifically for children of all ages in both public and private schools. The message is the same for all ages: the freedoms we are given through our living in America are exceptional, and they can only be preserved if our children are taught to appreciate, maintain and protect them.

USA1st programs add value because they enhance the educational goals of the school, and they add financial support to the school as well. The school also benefits from the positive image this kind of quality program brings to the school’s many constituents.

More specifically for the students and their parents, USA1st provides a positive educational environment in which to have a conversation about patriotism, values and commitments. The importance of these parent-child interactions cannot be underestimated.

Anyone in K-12 education will tell you that one of the most important factors in a student’s educational success is the active involvement of the parents. Our program is specifically designed to include parents so that family discussions can take place after the program. We provide the topics for dialogue between parents and teachers and for classroom activities as well. These discussions at all levels provide multiple “teaching moments.”

There are a number of unique aspects of the USA1st program:

It’s not merely a talking head assembly, it’s a powerful multimedia event
It’s better than FREE, it is actually a fundraiser for the school
USA1st will provide $2500 for each school that signs up for our program
With our assistance, schools can make much more money through other fund raising activities, such as selling USA1st products, concessions, and contacting companies and individuals who may wish to sponsor all or part of the program
USA1st takes only a small percentage of the monies raised to help defray our costs
The only tasks the school is responsible for are: access to the school to present the event, a suggested list of businesses that may wish to be sponsors, a mailing list (e-mail or street addresses) of the parents for USA1st informational mailings and requests for fundraising and other support.

Schools definitely can benefit from hosting a USA1st program. A positive learning environment about a very important topic; an opportunity to bring parents, teachers and students together to share a moving educational experience; a guaranteed $2,500 fundraising opportunity – all these are important to any school, public or private.

For more information, check our program page or e-mail information@patriotismamericana.org]]> no_email@example.com (jlajax) http://patriotismamericana.org/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=84#84 http://patriotismamericana.org/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=82#82 FREEDOM! OPPORTUNITY! No barriers such as race, color, age, sex, family connections or beliefs. America is a beacon for people all over the world.

Do you wonder why people condemn America, put her down, and show no respect for her? What do you think the reasons are for this? First, isn’t it wonderful to live in a country where this can happen? Freedom of speech, freedom of thought guaranteed in our basic document of law, the Constitution encouraged in our homes, in our schools, in our churches or other places of worship, not interfered with by the government. Second, this attitude of no respect occurs often because we don’t know our history. We forget or don’t know that Americans have died on foreign soils, not to expand this nation, but to ensure other peoples, non Americans freedoms, to protect other peoples, non Americans, lives. Often, people that don’t accept our ideas, our way of life have been recipients of our protection simply because they were weak and unable to defend themselves.

American history, all history, needs to be studied remembering the prevailing attitudes of the time you are studying. It’s easy for us today, to look back and point out the “sins of our fathers”. But if you were living during that time would you have acted any differently? How can we know the answer to that question? Maybe this exercise will help you understand my point. You are living in a time when illegal immigration into this country is a “hot” topic. How do you feel about it? If you could write the laws concerning this issue what would they look like? Would you ignore the problem? Open our borders and let everyone in? Put the military at the borders and let no one in? Build a longer, higher fence? Dig a deep and wide moat? Charge people money to come in? Or have you even thought about the problem? Are you so busy with your day to day life you haven’t had time to give it any consideration? Is your attitude one of since it doesn’t directly impact me; I’m not concerned about it? Or, I just don’t care? Or I don’t know the best answer so I’ll let others come up with an answer? Or, illegal immigrants? What illegal immigrants? Whatever your answer there are others that have that same answer. Is it the right one, the best one? Time will tell and a hundred years from now, someone, somewhere will judge that answer. They won’t know you nor will they know much about what your life was like except in generalities. But they will decide if you, America did a good job or a poor job concerning illegal immigrants.

Another point I need to make is judging a country and its actions is like judging people you know. If you like them and they misbehave, you tend to forgive them and to overlook the behavior. If you don’t like them and they misbehave, you’re more likely to be angry with them and hold the bad behavior against them. Has that been your experience?

Popular sentiment plays into judging a country and its actions. We are all affected by how people around us think. Many of us follow the crowd without realizing that is what motivates our behavior. We all want approval and before you know it, we’ve adopted ideas to get that approval. Often times we haven’t really thought about what is being presented. Sometimes those ideas were presented just to get us thinking. Sometimes they were presented so the presenter could be different from everyone else. Sometimes the presenter has read and learned only one side of the issue and that’s all they know. (Remember there is 3 sides to every story; his, hers and the TRUTH.) And what you are hearing is supported by the group you hang with.

Everywhere you go it seems everyone agrees that America is a terrible country so you agree. But think about the things you’ve read on this page and ask yourself, is that really true? Is America really a terrible country or is it just popular to bash her these days? Do the mistakes she’s made outweigh the good she has done, is doing and will continue to do?]]> no_email@example.com (jlajax) http://patriotismamericana.org/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=82#82 http://patriotismamericana.org/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=81#81
For instance are you aware that no child in Africa has a Nintendo unless it was purchased elsewhere? There are no Walmart or Gap stores in any part of Africa.

a. We have an overweight problem in this country because of too much food, not too little, as in the Sudan where it is estimated that 26% of the population is undernourished and 41% of children under the age of five are underweight. We have an abundance of food in this country because we have enormous natural resources, mechanized farming, a system of distribution, and a labor force that is willing to be productive. How many other reasons can you give for this situation?

b. You have access to an educational system from preschool to the doctoral level. Your attending school is mandatory until the age of 16. It is not determined by the amount of wealth you have until you reach the college level, and even then student loans and government assistance make that possible for most. In fact, today 70 percent of high school graduates move on to start college studies. Access is not determined by what race, gender or family you belong to as it is in some other countries. We have the most open educational system in the world.

c. Our founding fathers were educated men, well versed in the Bible, classic literature, and they were readers of newspapers, pamphlets and books. They and many other citizens of the time recognized the need for an educated populace.

d. Do you get an allowance for doing simple chores around the house? Many children your age do. In developing countries, approximately one in four children work at jobs, according to the International Labour Organization. Children ages five through 12 work up to 14 hours a week; ages 13 and above often work up to 40 or more hours per week. The ILO estimates that eight million children below the age of 18 are working in hard labor or forced labor situations worldwide.

These jobs aren’t for CDs, lipstick, stickers, tattoos or gas for the car. The job these children have is to help support their parents, brothers and sisters. Maybe even to help care for a grandparent. And often this job means no time for school.

e. Ever think about how freely we travel in this country? We have 50 states that you can travel to at any time without fear of being stopped by the military or the police or with little fear of harassment from any group of people. Not true in many other countries where moving outside your house means risking kidnapping, stepping on a landmine, being forced into an army or being raped. Nor do you have to obtain a travel visa, a document that gives you permission to travel.

f. Problems with your neighbors? In America both you and the neighbor have access to a court system. The court will use a set of laws based on precedent (meaning based on previous court decisions) and/or written laws not on how much money you do or don’t have, what ethnic group you belong to, who your family is. This is one of the many rights our country was founded on. We are a country were the Rule of Law prevails.

g. A recent example of the Rule of Law in this country is the shooting that occurred in Ft. Hood, Texas. Many people witnessed the shooter in action. They saw him kill 14 people. However, he will still have his day in court. He will still go in front of a judge(s) and jury members will decide, after listening to his side and the prosecution’s side, whether he is innocent or guilty and how he should be punished if found guilty. Again this is part of your Constitution. He is entitled to a speedy trial which means he cannot be held for a long period of time in jail before a trial.

These are just a few of the reasons for being proud of America and to be proud of being an American. Regardless of what country you or your parents were born in, what gender you are, or what beliefs you hold, we hope you are beginning to see some of America’s greatness.]]> no_email@example.com (jlajax) http://patriotismamericana.org/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=81#81