What is this United States of America?”

“What is this United States of America?”

If one listens, reads or watches, they will be befuddled about just what this country is and who its people are?

“Americans won’t do that kind of work.”  “Americans are hard working people trying to get ahead.”  

“Americans won’t stand for that.”  “Americans will tolerate anything.”

 “Americans are irreverent.”  “Americans are too constricted by their Puritan origins.”

 “Americans are rich.”  “Americans are poor.”

 “Americans are well educated.” “Americans are falling behind.”  “Americans are too lazy to take advantage of available educational opportunities.” 

“Americans are only interested in sports, entertainment and video games.”  “Americans spend too much time at work.”

“Americans are bigoted.”  “Americans are racist.”  “Americans are victims.”   “Americans are too fat.”  “Americans have eating disorders because they try to be too thin.”

I cold go on and on with the list.  Thousands of contradictory statements describe Americans.

Americans may be all of the above, none of the above, and all sorts of combinations.

Americans come from every, every walk of life, every other country on the planet, every ethnic group, race, color, religion and economic circumstance.

Americans are very rich, dirt poor and every level in between.

America is a nation of all races and racists come in all colors.  Most of the racial tensions are instigated by those who want publicity, have an agenda and the media that gives them that publicity.  The same can be said for most religious bias and division.

Anyone who tries to pigeonhole a definition of Americans only displays an extreme lack of depth in understanding this country and its peoples.

The United States of America should not be confused with the various governing bodies from Washington DC down to the smallest town council. Those are only our employees, and should be treated as such lest they become our masters.

The United States of America is not a set of laws, rules, regulations, though these things greatly affect one’s life, from the cradle to the grave.

The United States of America is a body of living, breathing individuals, each as distinct as a snowflake.