Summary:
Using several different sources, this essay describes what distinguishes the American people and government apart from others.
Lately, there has been a lot of controversy over Iraq and the issue of "forcing our government" upon their country. Considering this, I believe that it is necessary to remember exactly who we are and what our government and country represent.
In a sense, I am in agreement with John Steinbeck when he says, "we are a restless, a dissatisfied, a searching people...we go mad with dissatisfaction in the face of success" (Steinbeck 28), but I don't agree with him in the way that he meant it.
Steinbeck meant this to be pessimistic, describing Americans as materialistic and not appreciative for what we have. Although I agree with his statement, I think that being dissatisfied is not necessarily a bad thing.
Our history is filled with countless movements for equal rights or treatment, from the American revolution begun in 1775 to the recent gay rights movement, and they clearly show that we are not satisfied with our government the way that it is.
However, we must also consider that our government is not, nor has it ever been, perfect, and each of these movements has helped to solve these imperfections.
Another admirable quality of Americans is that we generally learn from our mistakes. We live, in a way, how Maya Angelou put it. "History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again" ("On the Pulse of Morning").
For example, we learned from our mistakes in the Vietnam War, and made the Gulf War as short and efficient as possible. Also, we realized that the prohibition amendment was a mistake, and we took it away after only a few years.
Another example is immigration. In the early 1900s, a massive flood of immigration caused problems with poverty and unemployment levels, so we now have laws that limit immigration and visas.
Another thing that exemplifies Americans is the "strong and imperishable dream [that we] carry" (Steinbeck 31). We are truly a "community of shared values and common dreams" ("Tom Brokaw Speech"), which is perhaps the most perplexing of our traits to a foreign outsider.
Our strong patriotism is something not found in many other countries. It is uniquely American, and although some might say it is wrong to try to instill this government and sense of freedom and patriotism on other, less fortunate countries, I fail to see why it is so wrong.
As Americans, we are not content with imperfection, we learn from our history, and we have a dream and a patriotism that separates us from every country in the world. Maybe this makes me an elitist, but I believe this country was "created only a little lower than the angels" ("On the Pulse of Morning").
This is the complete article, containing 456 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
