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In Appreciation of America
Rose Smith, April 12, 2000
While watching the news, there was something that bothered me very
much. It concerned the situation with young Elain Gonzales, outside
his family's home. Among those gathered outside, was one woman
who voiced an opposing view to the majority. She needed a police
escort out of the area.
We have laws in this country, otherwise we would live in chaos and worse. Just think of everyone doing whatever they wished, with no thought of reprisal. Every once in awhile, happenings occur and people attempt to defy these laws, because these laws do not suite their purpose.
It is one's privilege to disapprove and have the freedom to speak out. We do not have the privilege to defy the laws of the land and to utter threats against those of us who try to uphold these laws for the benefit of all. Some people allow their emotions to rule and their thinking becomes very biased. It is ironic that the very people who had fled their Mother Country because of being oppressed and denied their freedoms, were engaging in the very same restrictive practices they had fled. The law in America gives each of us the freedom to protest peacefully, not with violence and threats.
Why does the whole world want to come and be part of the United States of America? The reasons are obvious, the laws protect us and insure our freedom. To those of us who have come from other nations to the protection of American laws, we understand what a privilege it is to live in America. We understand we cannot simply decide which laws to uphold.
And, so we look at the obvious disrespect for the laws that was seen on television over a little boy. Yet, there are too many who are just as disrespectful, picking which laws to uphold. Too many of us think it is quite all right to bend the laws and cheat on our taxes. The privilege of voting and paying taxes - yes paying taxes, to pay back for the simple privilege of living here, for the many freedoms among other things. I'm reminded of that song, "With All Your Faults, I Love You Still".
When we cheat in whatever, and we think we are not hurting anyone, it eventually comes home to roost. We are really cheating ourselves in loss of self-esteem and self-respect. Can a cheater look in the mirror with pride? Cheating in general comes down to cheating of self, cheating of friends, cheating of family, cheating of spirit. And, this is just as true when we cheat on our taxes.
We who have lived outside America and are now blessed to be here, can more readily appreciate the unlimited opportunities offered here for success, education, freedoms, and the privilege of paying something back to the hand that feeds and protects us, in the form of taxes. If we all understood how wonderful America truly is, we all would be proud to pay taxes and see the tax dodger as a simple cheat.
I, for one, am proud to say that l love my country and thank God everyday for the privilege of living here.
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