I care.

One of the nicest things about being an American is what I'm doing now. In this blog. Sounding off. Being critical of America in many ways. Telling what I don't like about America. There's a whole lot. And that's exactly what I like most about America. Gives me a sense of freedom. I won't be put in jail for exercising free speech. Or so I think. That could change at any time, of course. Like it has in some other countries. I wouldn't be tolerated. Oh, there's much in America that isn't tolerated. And there's plenty of injustice. But I'm allowed to talk about it. And that's how remedies come about. I don't like the war in Iraq, for instance. I think it's immoral. Obscene. A disgrace. A shame on America. I also don't think we belong in Afghanistan. And I like socialism. Democratic socialism. I think the rich are too rich. And the poor too poor. I want universal health care. I think that generally speaking, capitalists are a greedy lot. Yes, there are exceptions. But not enough. That's why we have a widening gap between the rich and the poor. And I'd like to see the U.S. surrender some of its sovereignty. Maybe to the World Court. Where some of our leaders could be tried for war crimes. Anyway, some Americans would label me un-American. But I sense I'm a real American. I really care about my country. That's why I sound off. I care. --Jim Broede