While living overseas for the past 20 months and observing America from the outside, I have gained a greater apprecation for America and its people. I am thankful to come from a nation that was built on a foundation to give its citizens the opportunity for happiness. Our governement institutions like courts, laws, police forces and medical care allow Americans to live healthy and interesting lives.
Living overseas has also taught me to recognize some of our faults. American pop culture is overwhelming when coming through telivision sets in the rural Philippines (and of other developing countries I am sure). NBA players with attitude, Hillary Duff and friends teach little girls and boys to say "shut up, I don't care!" to their teachers. I wish our business leaders would use their incredible power and influence to help people instead.
I do believe that Americans try to do the right thing in the world. No other country is more open to immigrants and deals with the difficulties of having people of different races, cultures and religions in one country. Most countries are homogeneous and do not have such open immigration policies. Then they point at America and call us racist? Excuse me? I don't think so.
America is so popular because it gives every person the opportunity to succeed. America is filled with stories of immigrants who have become very wealthy by using their intelligence and by working hard. Well, that's enough from me, I will shut up now.
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