Miles Alex, Writer

I know America is not a perfect place. No place is. But it so irks me to see the hate toward this awesome country emanating from people right here, and from all over the world, people who blame us for everything bad under the sun since the dawning of civilization.

Yet, millions continue to flock to the shores of this beautiful land seeking a better life. They come from countries far and wide with varying forms of government – communist, socialist, secular, theocratic, monarchial, royal; countries that are poor, rich, not so rich

Sure America does not have an unblemished history, Sure, it’s taken generations for it to live up to the promises in its glorious Constitution. Sure, we’ve made blunders around the world. But we’ve also sacrificed the lives of Americans in uniform answering the calls of the distressed and oppressed in country after country. The sad reality, though, is that, sometimes the same ones who cry out for our help, often eventually assail us for being there.

We are often accused of seeking oil where there is none, seeking profits where all that exists are barren lands, grieving mothers and children, oppressed peoples, and belligerents hiding in mountains seeking to take us out for anything generous we do – from humanitarian aid to military assistance offered in response to the cries for help.

Let the record be clear. This is one immigrant writer who thanks God every day for bringing him to the shores of the blessed USA.

Even though I am cognizant of the inequities that still exist, of the mistakes that will always be made, America is like a lover. You take her as she is with all her faults because you love her immensely. You recognize your own imperfections and thus do not expect her to be perfect. You’ve tried other experiences and have found out that in life there is no perfection, for we are still all human. But you also know that the one you hold close to your bosom is the one who drives you wild with passion, the one who takes you to the peaks of mountaintops that no one else can, even if they might have a few characteristics that you wish your lover had.

Then again, you reflect, that there is no other who completes you like the one you have fallen for. The one you hold dear in your heart is the one that you will stand up for – come hell or high water. I’ll stand up for America while accepting its imperfections. And I won’t reciprocate animosity to those around the globe who have a love/hate perspective on America.

I’m just thankful that I’m here, that my love is here, and I’ll use my pen to continue to fervently express my admiration for the love of my life.

Politicians running for office never tell you only the truth. See, they feel that if they do, no one would vote for them.

I’m not a politician, just a social commentator and writer, so I’ll tell you what they should really say, but are afraid to…the following is from my fictional politician…one I dreamed up….

So many of us want to be a star, a celebrity, or to be someone in the limelight. The best show to star in, though, is your own personal life story.

That is a story that will still be alive as long as you are; and that will not lose its luster even when the paparazzi are gone, when the media loses interests, and when the autograph seekers have moved on to another guy basking in his fifteen minutes of fame.

The thing about having excellent character is that it is valuable only to you, your loved ones, and those with whom you come into contact. It will not necessarily make you a star or put wealth, fame, and celebrity status on your side; but those things have been known to fizzle and often last only fifteen minutes – then the supporters and fans disappear “like snow upon the desert’s dusty face, which lighting a little hour or two, is gone.” (paraphrased from the “Rubaiyat” by Omar Khayyam).