Musings: All of us make a great country
Americans have come together to make this a better country. Credit: Getty Images
Many, especially in other countries, believe that the greatness of America stems from its abundant natural resources. That is certainly a factor and was important in the early days of our country. However, in the long term, it has been the people and their accomplishments that have made America great.
These accomplishments include inventions and great efforts, but the one place where America really stands out is in relationships. We were able to get people from all over the world to sit down with us and hammer out trade agreements and treaties. NATO provided an effective umbrella for the United States as well as Europe during the Cold War.
We were able to come together, from many different places, to figure out how to tax ourselves to build wonderful highways, an amazing defense force, and a superb medical system, even if we have not yet figured out how to make it truly available to all. We put laws in place to prevent nepotism, cronyism, and political favoritism in government offices which must serve all people.
We have a lot to be proud of, and a lot to be concerned about. It is much easier to destroy than to create. We point with gratitude to great builders, financiers, scientists, doctors and philosophers.
It may take a village to raise a child; it will take all of us to keep America great.
— David S. Martin, Glen Head
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