Why I love America letter to editor

[SoonerShankle]

Members of the California Writers for Kerry took the task of writing letters to the editor this past week that should be something Americans can be inspirted to do. Our task: To celebrate Independence Day write a letter to the editor telling why we love American, and how supporting John Kerry promotes that patriotic love of country. This was my letter:

Dear Editor,

Two hundred twenty-eight years ago a group of rebels instituted a new government deriving its "just powers from the consent of the governed," free from the "absolute despotism" of the government of King George III. The preamble of the constitution further consecrated the ideals of these revolutionary men by stated that our goal was to form a more perfect union. While we are far from perfect today, the wisdom of our Founders provided us with a governmental infrastructure that survives as a great testament to our society.
Great people have worked hard and sacrificed to preserve what is great in our country. Some are well-known. Others are everyday folks like you and me. Thomas Jefferson, a landed gentleman, believed in education for the average American; his belief led to the creation of our public education system and the rise of the middle class, for education is the great equalizer. Abraham Lincoln, a self-made man, knew that our country needed unity and equality for our country to survive. After refusing to allow the South to secede, he signed the Emancipation Proclamation eventually giving the ultimate sacrifice so our country "of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from this earth." Celebrating our common ideals this past weekend reminded me of our rich national heritage and why I love America so much. But it also reminded me how far we yet have to go to form that more perfect union.
Over the past half-century we have witnessed unprecedented corruption shaking the foundations of our democracy. Apathy and ignorance of the governed has allowed this corruption to grow in severity, risking our heritage. This corruption is bipartisan in nature, and can only be conquered with change. Four years ago, we were promised that change. I had hope that "business as usual" would come to an end, and that our government would reflect and be made up of the people, be ruled compassionately by the people, and do what was best for the people. Instead, these past four years have fueled my disillusionment. We have a government of millionaires and elitists, ruling for the betterment of a few, and hoping it will trickle down to the rest of us.
Now in order to restore my hope in a more perfect union and a better future for my country and my son's country, I must act. My first action will be to become active in civic groups and political action groups that reflect and fight for our shared American heritage and values. And my second action will be to vote on November 2 for change. I will vote for the ticket of hope and optimism, the ticket that has to date run a clean campaign taking the high road. I will vote for John Kerry and John Edwards. And I will hope again for an America striving to be a more perfect union.

Julie Shankle
:dem: