I enjoy the Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness like the rest of the residents of the United States, but what I like the best is the dynamics, my country is changing, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly but always changing.
I can choose to help or inspire change or I can just enjoy/despise the changes.
Sometimes I just like to watch things change, will it be a butterfly or bee? Currently I'm active in these changing times, I vote at every chance I get, even at the local level, I volunteer at The Upper Room Ministries in Nashua NH 2 days a week because I wanted to be more hands on in the changes in my neighborhood, I wanted to see positive change right before my eyes. I would encourage any American to donate at least one hour of their time a week in their neighborhood, if you don't know where to, or how to, the try getting in contact with the Volunteers of America they will point you in the right direction. Happy Independence Day.
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What a question!
Many times over the years, I have thought about this. When I was young in the 50' and early 60's, Americans were just starting to question their history. The role of the "Discoverers", the expropriation of Indian lands (no one called them Native Americans in those days), the obvious aggression of the Mexican-American war. It was troubling to us.
I remember that, at that time, our social studies books called our age, "The Affluent Society." It was a time of abundance, of 15 cent gasoline.
As I grew older, Civil Rights movement and the attendant glories and tragedies began to play out. It was a time of political killings that stunned our nation. The guys in the white sheets with the burning crosses still had great power.
As I grew even older, Vietnam played out. The generations were at war with each other, and there was a mutual feeling of disgust with each other.
But among all that, there were always signs that American was something special, something that had promise, something that we could rise to.
Among conservatives, Barry Goldwater refused to be a part of some exclusive organizations. Ronald Reagan made movies that denounced the Klan. Some southern politicians refuse to join the Wallaces and the other governors who pandered to racism.
And it was a time of heroes as young people went south to be a part of the Civil Rights movement, even after it became apparent that possible death awaited them. People stood up to the authorities to march against the war in Vietnam.
I remember how I felt, watching the TV news that showed the dogs attacking civil rights workers, the police trying to prevent the march across the Selma bridge.
There were times of great disillusionment, in the black community after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and after the killings of young people at Kent State and Jackson State.
There were people who gave in to disillusionment, like many of the Black Panthers, and the Student for a Democratic Society. It was tempting sometimes to think that the only way out of this mess was to destroy the government.
America, Love it or Leave it.
America, Change it or Lose it.
Bill Ayers, Lester Maddox.
But in all that, decent American still believed. At times, our country made us proud. The flag still waved.
One of the proudest moments of my life, in my country, came when I was just 18 and living in San Francisco. There was going to be a march through the streets to Golden Gate Park. Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon was going to speak. So that morning, Saturday or Sunday? I went over to where I could watch the people marching by.
I saw the beginning of the line, five or six abreast. They marched by, carrying a wide banner. Others came after them. There were older people at the beginning. The ones who had organized the march. I had never seen this kind of thing before. I stood and watched. Time passed. And still they marched.
I saw people with signs that told what organization that they were with, but most of the people were not with any group. They were just there. They passed by me as I stood on the street, a young teenager gaping at this. They passed by in the hundreds, and still they marched.
I saw people of every color, people with rich clothes, people with ragged clothing, but most of the people had average clothing, a lot of jeans, stuff you would buy off the rack at Sears or JC Penny's. They passed by in the thousands, and still they marched.
I saw people of every color, black, oriental, brown Latino's who carried signs with pictures of Cesar Chavez, but mostly I saw white Americans. People like me. They passed me by in the tens of thousands, and still they marched.
It occurred to me that if this was Russia or Cuba that these people would have been bussed in. There would have been a roll call to make sure that people attended. There would been chants that rolled properly off of the tongues of the people saying them. There would not have been this disorganized feeling. This hectic feeling. This feeling that the vast majority of these people were participating in something that they had no experience with. This cheerful, happy, can-do, feeling. This American feeling. I thought a million thoughts as they passed by, and still they marched. And so at last, I stepped off of the curb and I joined them, and I marched too.
And together, we peacefully assembled and marched to Golden Gate Park, and listened to both the ridiculous and to the sublime. Senator Morse shouted down a group of communists who tried to disrupt the speech with their chants. Richard Hilliard made his stupid comment about Richard Nixon. Many people spoke.
I will never forget that day. In some way, that I could not have articulated then, I recognized the greatness of my country, in spite of the warts; what it could be, would be if we stood together as a people.
It's the atheist and the fundamentalist, watching each others back as they sit in a foxhole waiting for the enemy. It's the Republican politely holding open the door for the Democrat as they both move into the community center where the line of people wait quietly and patiently to vote. It's the conservative voting for the best person regardless of race, creed or nationality. It's the liberal admonishing a young person about personal responsibility, fiscal prudence, and the importance of traditions.
Other countries are about their racial identity, their religion, their culture. Ours is about values that we consciously decide to adhere to. One nation of families valuing our freedom to worship as we see fit (or not to), valuing our freedom to choose our destinies (or to slide on down the road), valuing each other for our differences (what kind of name is Obama?)
And through the years we ask our great great grandchildren, "Hey! Is that Star Spangled Banner still wavin' over the Land of the Free and the Home of the Bravin'?"

I like the diversity of America the most.

Growing up in a port town (San Francisco) gave me the opportunity to meet so many different cultures. San Francisco and New York are both great places to witness the large influx of people coming and going through the gateways of the East and West.

When I started traveling around the US, I found that each state has unique qualities and contributions they make. Local food, customs, accents and music. There is great pride in each state. There is also great history and stories to tell if you take the time to listen.

My favorite show on the History Channel is called 'The States'. It gives a great (alas short) overview of the history and background in each of these territories.

I can only wish that everyone get the opportunity to travel and see how diverse America truly is.

The freedom we get to experience here in this country is the thing I value most. The freedom that many people have sacrificed their lives for us to be able to experience. The freedom that people to this day continue to sometimes die for trying to get here. The freedom that other people in the world get to live under because we as a nation decided that someone else's freedom was worth dying for. The freedom that every citizen in this country should appreciate by going to the polls and voting... I don't care who you vote for BUT just vote... exercise your civic responsibility and your patriotic duty, in respect for the people who died to give you that right. Blessings to those who continue serving our country in an effort to preserve our freedom. "Freedom isn't Free".... Happy Fourth of July

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVR48g6MYI8

The fact that there are people living in the United States from every other nation on the earth. I can go to any major city and meet people from all over the world.

The USA has many wonderful attributes... the ones I like the most are...

- Like South Africa it can claim to be a "Rainbow Nation", one that encompasses a huge diversity of race and culture. And like South Africa it can be proud of the ways in which it has overcome it's past divisions.

- The US still has a lot of that ol' frontier spirit and sense of adventure. Part of that comes with being a newish nation maybe. Still the energy and dynamism is quite something.

- Fantastic geography, from mountains to deserts, beaches to mega-cities

What I like the most of America is the fact that it's one of the best countries to start a new company & get rich.

Best example: Silicon Valley

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Happy Independence Day !!

I suppose I enjoy the freedom to do absolutely nothing if I choose. Then the freedom to change my mind. I am so happy to live in the United States! I would not change my homeland for any other in the world!

I like the freedoms that we have as Americans. Right or left, pro-government or anti-government, you have the right to voice your opinion in this country without fear of retribution. We have the right to worship as we choose or to not worship. We have the right to pursue whatever career path we choose. We have the right to own weapons. We have the right to vote for whom we choose in open elections without fear of persecution. We need to guard these freedoms against anyone who tries to infringe upon them.

Land of the Free. Home of the Brave. Freedom does have a price, though. The price of responsibility to respect other people's rights, needs and privileges. Things like driving on public roads is a privilege, not a natural born right. America needs to embrace the technological and medical advances of the Twenty-First Century, while holding true the values of previous eras. Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Loyalty, Truth, Bravery, Peace, Love, Volunteerism, Charity, Self Esteem, Hard Work, and a Sense of Joy!

I really like that most of the country turned True Blue last year, because I believe that the Obama administration is going to make a lot of changes for the better. I have renewed hope for my fellow countrymen.

Unlike other countries, we're not starving. We have freedom of religion. The freedom to make money. Internet freedom as well. Basically all the best websites are american based. Someone please tell me a website of popularity thats comes from another country.

Nothing.

For me the strongest emotion I have about the USA are connected to life experiences. Traveling, building, playing sports, voting, graduating college etc. But to narrow it down to a representative visceral focus I would say Barbecue.

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Now I know what you are thinking, it seems such a trivial thing. But that is much like America on its surface. Deep down barbecue is a food of passion drawn from humble beginnings textured by all the cultures in the states. Every region of the country holds their talents supreme. Competitions are fought as hard as college football games or presidential elections.

What I like about America the most is Americans, Pop Culture and Bastard Fairies!

Sure America has made mistakes. What country hasn't? But what other country tries so hard to do what's right, not just at home, but all around the world?

What other country is counted on - as the standard for decency and tolerance and freedom?

What other country attracts eager immigrants from all over the world?

There is only one answer to all those questions and you don't haver to look any further than right here at home to appreciate how great this country really is.

In the last five years, we have been through two bitterly contested elections, two foreign wars and a devastating terrorist attack here at home, but has any of that weakened the country as a whole? Heck no! As always, America and Americans have risen above adversity and banded together to make this country work and keep on working, no matter what obstacles may be thrown in our way.

Was there rioting in the streets over the elections? Bloodshed and/or threats to call out the Army and the National Guard?

Of course not. We take it for granted that we are a civilized country, above all that and we are. But not all countries - or even most countries can say the same. In many counjtries around the world, events far less traumatic and dramatic than what we have gone through in the last five years, would have torn society apart. The government would have fallen, if not dissolved and there would have been bloodshed and chaos, so we should never underestimate our freedom or stability or take it for granted.

We should get up every day and remind ourselves that we do live in the greatest country in the world and that therefore each and every one of us has a duty and an obligation to do whatever we can to make it just a little bit better.

You can start the process by sending us your contributions, poems, letters, essay, stories, telling how you feel about America and why you have goo d things to say about the USA. We're putting together a book called GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE USA and whether you're white, black, yellow, brown or anything in between, rich or poor, old or young, a sixth generation American, or a first generation immigrant - even if you're not an American at all, if you have Good Things To Say About The USA, then we want to hear from you.

Sure, we need money, too, but mostly we need your artistic contributions. We need talented actors and actresses, singers, dancers, writers and musicians to put on shows reminding the world how great this country really is.