America is run by and made up of imperfect people
From the beginning, with the Founding Fathers, until today, ordinary people make the rules and govern our country. There has only been one perfect person in history, and His “second coming,” is yet to come. An Ole Seagull believes it logically follows that America was established and is run by imperfect individuals doing the best they can to make perfect decisions to govern a country made up of imperfect people.
Slavery- One colossal imperfect decision
Because of this, it’s understandable that our government, which is supposed to represent “the people,” will sometimes make imperfect decisions. To an Ole Seagull, one colossal imperfect decision was accepting slavery in the Constitution. Although slavery was abolished in the United States faster than in Africa, where it had been going on for centuries before it started in America, it seems to be a root cause of many problems America faces today.
Is America stronger, united, or divided?
Mark Twain once said, “Patriotism means supporting your country all the time, and supporting your government when it deserves it.” Whether it’s issues relating to race, defense, the environment, or other problems, isn’t America stronger when we approach them with unity rather than division?
Does disrespect of our flag unite us or divide us?
Can anyone explain how not showing respect for our flag and National Anthem helps bring America together? How it helps to solve any of our problems? On the other hand, it’s easy to see how it could cause division among us. What does it say about us as a country if we are so divided that we can’t even come together for a moment to show respect for our country, hope for its future, and, just as important, respect for each other?
A house is divided against itself, cannot survive
When Abraham Lincoln talked about an enemy destroying America, he said, “If danger ever comes, it will come from within our own country. It won’t come from abroad. If we are destroyed, it will be because we caused it ourselves.” The only perfect man in history said, “If a kingdom or a house is divided against itself, it cannot survive.”
It’s a fact. America was founded and is run by imperfect individuals doing their best to make perfect decisions to govern an imperfect people. Honoring our flag, country, and anthem can be a time to unite in acknowledging those imperfections while standing together in honoring the sacrifices made for Her and the freedom and the hope they represent.