Hello everyone,

I just wanted to take this quick moment to wish everyone a happy July 4th. As our country celebrates it's 228th birthday, I think that it is important that we take a moment and think about what it trully means to be a citizen of the United States.

So often, I hear of people who don't wish to celebrate the 4th of July, because of the many problems and conflicts that America finds itself in at any given moment. I say, all the more reason to celebrate. For in a country that has problems, we should never forget that part of what makes our country great, is that WE have the power to make our voices heard to fix those problems.

The United States is a unique country. There are other countries that celebrate many (if not more) of the same freedoms that we celebrate in this country. Many countries may even be more democratic than our country. Yet thousands upon thousands come to our country in search for "something." And it's that "something" that makes America unique. It's that here, whatever you want that "something" to be, you at the very least have the power to attempt to achieve your goal. The United States makes NO promise, other than the one that you ultimately have the power to choose your own destiny in this country. In many ways, the United States is the very epitome of existentialism.

To my liberal brothers and sisters, never forget that it's okay to love your country. If all you see are the corporate interests controlling our country, the pipelines carrying oil in Iraq, and the checkered history of the government's attitudes towards women and minorities, then love your country for nothing else than the fact that at the end of the day you have a voice. And as bad as it may seem, your voice is important. And that your voice can be raised to support or protest any policy and practice you should so choose.

I hope everyone has a nice July 4th (even though it ends in one hour). May your country be whatever it is YOU want it to be.

And that is why the United States is great.

-Matthew