The very word America comes from the name of an Italian explorer, Amerigo Vespucci. He has never been to North America, arriving a few years after Christopher Columbus (1499 vs. 1492), who didn’t set foot here either. And both were about 500 years behind the Vikings, the first Europeans to discover the North American continent, settling in what is now Newfoundland, Canada. But that was a long, long time ago …
Today, for most people in the world, America means the country established on this day 249 years ago: the United States. Despite its turbulent history and all its modern problems, which are many, America still is the place for capable and talented people from around the world to live, work, create, thrive ..
I hope it continues to be that way and I am not alluding in the slightest to MAGA rhetoric. Political slogans come and go, but people’s ideals and aspirations last much longer, often contrary to those slogans.
When greatness of a country is superficially inflated and advertised by its government, it’s typically a sign of that government’s inability to do its job, leading to the country’s weakness if not timely treated.
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The place «from sea to shining sea» is very diverse in many aspects — culture, prosperity, demographics, attitudes, levels of intelligence and education, etc. etc. It’s as if there are 5-6, perhaps countries inside its boundaries. Nonetheless, one of its core values is «unsocialism», at least till now (not counting parts of New York and California). And that’s what I like the most.
You are not a property of a government. You don’t owe anything to anyone unless you borrowed. You don’t have to obey commands of a ruler on the behalf of a perceived social group called «public». You settle your tax bill on April 14, you don’t commit crime, and the rest is up to you. You just live.
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There’s no free lunch here. Or, I’d better say, there shouldn’t be. It’s one of the places in the world where starting and growing your own business is simple and straightforward. The government has no business in your business. Or, I’d better say, it shouldn’t. Last but not least, this is one of the places where you and your children don’t have to serve in the military, unless they want to.
People who have not lived here long enough (tourism doesn’t count) often have very distorted views, mostly influenced by their own propaganda, mass-media, rumors, YouTube «expert» opinions and the like. Sadly, coming here and having personal experience has become more difficult than ever.
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I wish in the spirit of previous generations this country will remain, or re-emerge, as a magnet for newcomers with all their idealism, talents, cultural diversity, hopes and aspirations for a better future.
With mixed feelings,
Happy Birthday, America!