Mike Swetnam
I work at a 'think tank' in Washington DC which means that I spend my days listening to people talk about all the things Washington is doing wrong or needs to do better.
Even worse, the next election cycle has started and the airwaves, Internet, bars, and restaurants are full of hot air. Most of the hot air is critical of current policies. Politicians are forced to be critical of every U.S. policy, domestic and international alike. Listening to these people can be depressing. Of course, that is the idea. People only vote for change if they think change is needed.
The international climate is even worse. The USA is not too popular right now. We can't seem to quell Russian expansionism, Greece is in default, the Middle East is in the midst of a protracted conflict, and Iran's quest for nuclear weapons seems unstoppable.
It seems like a gloomy atmosphere to be celebrating our country's birthday.
But, in the midst of all the gloom and doom about this very dangerous world, the USA is truly one of the few bright spots.
We enjoy more freedoms in this country than any other. The USA is still the best place to start a business and more people become millionaires in the USA every year than almost all other countries combined. We are still the country that others turn to when bad things happen, and we respond.
Most importantly, we are always trying to do better. The U.S. works to help everyone, domestically and internationally alike, and furthers life and liberty for all people in all lands.
There are always challenges and things that can be done better, but let's take some time today to remember that we are the luckiest people in the world.