The United States of America is the best country in the world, certainly not perfect, anymore than you or I, but when compared to all other countries, the best. We owe a profound debt to the founders who took an enormous risk declaring independence from Great Britain, saying they would live free or die trying. The eventual success of that declaration, the Constitution forming our republic and the hard work over the ensuing years led to the wondrous nation we live in today.
Human imperfections, but the greatest country nonetheless
Those who like to point out the imperfections in our country, seem to forget that we only have human beings to work with. Human failings and limitations will necessarily be a part of everything we do.
During the debate about what form of government we should have, a series of papers were written and James Madison, addressing this very issue, in Federalist 51 wrote:
If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.
No better choice exists
We’re still struggling to get it right and we seem to be drifting off course, but with all of the mistakes and problems that exist here, a quick glance at the rest of the world shows how many countries are getting it spectacularly wrong.
It’s up to us to carry this forward
Whether or not our country continues long into the future depends on you, me and everyone else living here. It is our personal responsibility to live up to our founding ideals and to be part of the fabric holding our nation together. I accept that challenge. I hope you do, too.
Happy Birthday USA! May you see 250 more.