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Question of the day

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Illinois

* I’m not sure we’ll be blogging tomorrow because of the holiday, so let’s do a July 4th QOTD now.

What do you cherish most about life in America? Explain.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:16 pm

Comments

The Four Freedoms.

Comment by Niles Township Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:26 pm
I may not agree with what you say but I will die preserving your right to say it.

Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:27 pm
Our unique system of governance and our basic freedoms which is something we take for granted. The type of thing I would imagine most around the world would kill for. It’s something I hope we will continue to take good care of especially if never using them means that they would atrophy.

Comment by Levois Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:29 pm
The free enterprise system (let’s preserve it).

Comment by RobRoy Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:31 pm
I have many, many, many reasons for loving this country. Almost uncountable.

But I suppose the thing I cherish most is that I am free to rhetorically whack members of the government on a daily basis without worry of imprisonment. I would’ve been dead a long time ago if I lived in many other countries. What you see here is my nature, and I highly doubt I would’ve been able to stifle that part of me if I lived elsewhere.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:33 pm
Our government. The fedarlist structure combined with its continional check and balances. The freedom to speak out against governemnt, vote in a democracy, and particpate in a spicy political process. Who wants to live in a plain old vanilla country.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:37 pm
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General
George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It’s not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

I hope you will show your support by sending this to as many people as you can, please. It’s time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.

Have a Great Holiday, I cherish my freedoms……..

Comment by Chgo Mike Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:37 pm
Since I started reading “April 1865″ by Jay Winik, I have come to appreciate how blessed and fortunate we are to have avoided the same fate as other civil war-torn countries like Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc.

It could very easily have happened, had Lee and other Confederate generals chosen to continue fighting as a guerrilla force; had Lincoln and Grant attempted to crack down harder on the rebels; or if public sentiment after Lincoln’s assassination had turned more sharply toward revenge against the South.

Confederate/Union guerilla warfare DID occur in Missouri and Kansas, with horrific consequences. (Had that spread, Southern Illinois and other border South regions could easily have become another Kosovo or Chechnya.)

So even with all the red state/blue state, or liberal/conservative divisions we have today, and as heated and uncivil as public debate often gets, we can all be thankful it isn’t a LOT worse.

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:46 pm
Amen, Chgo Mike

Comment by Hopeful Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:48 pm
Most of the things I care about in this country are capacities which unfortunately have been only sporadically exercised well - democracy being the central and most complicated example. But at least this makes this an exciting place to live and work - especially when we make it our “career” to exploit these capacities (as Rich has.) At 68, I hear T.S. Eliot in my ear - “old men ought to be explorers” - and there are exploration opportunities everywhere I turn in this country.

Comment by erstwhilesteve Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:49 pm
The obvious ones of course, and others have made those points well. However, one thing that most people don’t appreciate: After going to Mexico City on business for a few days, I very much appreciate that I can look at a police officer and not automatically assume that the officer is corrupt and expecting a bride. There is a complete feeling of insecurity in certain other countries — the idea that no place is really safe. The night that I came home from that trip, it was great going through O’Hare. I could nod hello to people, instead of walking around with head down trying to avoid contact.

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:50 pm
The fact you can overcome where you came from or almost anything. That with hard work/luck or some combination of the two you can do well.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:54 pm
Well, according to Snopes, some of what Chgo Mike has posted is more legend than fact, but the point is well-taken. This wonderful little experiment was undertaken at great personal risk and sacrifice, too often forgotten about.

Comment by Downstate weed chewing hick Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:01 pm
Having been born in Nigeria to parents on the mission field and seing first-hand the Nigerian/Biafra war, I value the fact we can have heated debates on policy and budget deadlocks, without someone rolling the tanks into the streets and crushing those who differ with others.

For all our faults, there is simply no better form of government than ours.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:03 pm
That good people, such as the ones Chgo Mike referred to, and others, have worked hard and made sacrifices so that we can have the freedoms we have today. And that I can read and blog on CapFax without being detained by one of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s goons. And that we are free to associate and promote our opinions and causes in the marketplace of ideas.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:03 pm
Freedom of Religion.

One of the most remarkable American accomplishment that separates us from other countries has been our freedom of religion. Most cultures erupt in religious wars or live on the cusp of one constantly. From the first days of settlements, America has had room for every religion, and this has prevented the kind of cultural rifts seen around the world.

We even create religions, thanks to this freedom. There are dozens of American-made churches and religions. This wouldn’t have been possible in other countries. We even have the freedom to be anti-religious. There are no state churches, even in Utah - which was an unofficial theocracy for it’s first century of settlement.

Our beliefs in God go beyond culture, time and governments. Having the freedom to establish a relationship to God as you deem necessary has given the United States a great deal of it’s progressive policies. It was freedom of religion that allowed us to debate and end slavery. It was freedom of religion that empowered us a century ago to shutter brothels ending sex slavery. It was freedom of religion that made it possible for the United States to reform jails, end wars, franchise women, march through Selma Alabama, feed the poor, open schools and universities, and believe that the United States stood for justice and freedom for human rights and against oppression.

God speaks to all of us and having the freedom to do God’s work as you personally have interpreted it to be, is historically, the greatest of all American freedoms.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:08 pm
The declaration of independence was signed a year after we were already at war with Brittian, and brittian had rejected the olvie branch petition intended to de-escalate the conflict.

I do not intend to detract from the signers loss.
But I would add that we should thank the many humble americans who may have not had large or any fortunes to lose, but still they gave their lives, their children and their families for our freedom.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:13 pm
Too many to count, but appropriately enough, it starts with the Declaration of Independence.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Once those words were put to paper, by a slaveholder no less, the inexorable progressiveness of the American system was in place.

Though progress would often come only after many years and at a terrible price, those words ensured you could not permanently deny those rights to anyone — slave, women, labor — without betraying your founding principle.

Like the man said, don’t tell me words don’t mean anything.

Happy 4th everyone, and count your blessings.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:14 pm
The efficency of government.

Comment by Honest Abe Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:17 pm
Freedom: we can choose to go to school or not, there are no limitations on what direction to steer our lives; we can live anywhere and take on as much as want or as little as we want; we can say [almost] anything in public and do [almost] anything we want to do as long as it doesn’t hurt others. We can run for govt office, we can run our own businesses, teach, work 3 jobs or none at all. We can choose our lives, our futures here. Every very sick world leader comes here for the best medical care on earth… We have the most dedicated, best military ever on earth… we have drive & initiative & ability to succeed here.

Comment by North of I-80 Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:22 pm
The fact that I can get information about what my government is doing and be able to publically criticize the pols who abuse us without my being dragged off to political prison.

The fact that I can file and run for office without approval of political bosses or their thugs.

The fact that I and my family have a right to the fruits of my labor and property over government expropriation.

Ooooops!

That last one is one I’m still working on!

My wife grew up in Sao Paolo, Brasil in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and she was taught in school never to criticize the leftist government or discuss politics in public.

Her father had a shoe sales and repair business in downtown Sao Paolo across the street from the major newspaper. When paid-for orders from the newspaper reporters atarted piling up, he called the paper to find out what was going on.

The next day the leftist National Police showed up at his store and picked up all the shoes.

That’s when he decided it was time to become an American.

Sadly, with Obama and his cohorts seeking to take over as much of our property, prosperity, freedoms, and liberty as he can, it’s becoming clearer that we’ll have to be strong to prevent him from making this another “Brasil”.

With freedom. liberty, and prosperity, you never really know what you’ve got until its gone.Let’s hope we can stop him before it goes that far.

Comment by PalosParkBob Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:24 pm
The variety of landscapes and the variety of people who inhabit them.

Comment by Captain Flume Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:26 pm
The freedoms we have to succeed or fail as our spirits and abilities lead us

Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:35 pm
The freedom to read these opinons and share mine openly.

Comment by Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:39 pm
The fact I have the time and resources to complain about anything openly and freely.

Comment by Former Bartender Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:52 pm
I cherish the fact that as the descendant of Polish and German immigrants I have had the ability to pursue the opportunities that life has provided me and that my children will have that same ability.

Comment by Bluefish Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 1:54 pm
=== With freedom. liberty, and prosperity, you never really know what you’ve got until its gone.Let’s hope we can stop him before it goes that far. ===

We can;t really stop Bush sinmce he is no longer in office. We can justmake sure that we do not elect another president who think the bill of rights is merly a suggestion. Fortunetly we have Obama o preserve our rights. With Bush we got very close to the old brasil style government, we were living in a world where if the governemnt declared you a terrorist you could be held without right to court appearance or represenation on a military base outside of our country with no way to challenge the designation. Assuming your confession under torture had not already led to your military tribunal execution by firing squad.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 2:03 pm
Barack Obama can be President of the United States! That about sums it up for me.

Comment by Bill Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 2:06 pm
Freedom.

This blog is a great example of the free exchange of ideas with fear of recourse.

But how about this: the freedom to run for and hold office. While there are a lot of complaints about the high cost of running for office, anyone willing to spend the time can circulate petitions and get on the ballot. More time and you can knock on lots of doors and walk in parades and show up and be recognized. If you put forth an honest effort, it’s not actually that hard to collect a few supporters willing to give some time and money. And in Illinois, there are so many levels of government in which to serve, you have a reasonable shot at getting elected if you choose to start at a lower level. To me, that is truly amazing.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 2:09 pm
America, what she stands for, who she is, and why she is the best.
Having traveled a bit in Eastern Europe, I saw first-hand the ravage left by years of living under Communist rule. Not only are the landscapes filled with blight, so are the people who openly share stories of harsh living conditions, starvation and extreme poverty. While many around the world make fun of us, say we’re immoral, and call us names, there are more people around the globe who want to be like those who live in this great nation, an American.

Comment by make it so Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 2:12 pm
I love the freedom me and spouse have to get in our car and drive state to state without having to go through any kind of “Checkpoint Charlie”; that we can go into Canada and/or Mexico with little difficulty (only now a passport is required); that I can criticize any government leader and not worry about being dragged out of my home in the middle of the night; that even though we have seen gasoline go to $4/gal; it is still considered cheap compared to European countries; that I hate that my real estate taxes are so grossly high but absolutely love that we live in our dream house; that our (retired) income is pretty stable; that we have our health and a great health system to cure whatever ails us; that we have two wonderful, Godly, great sons who are both in public service; that we have THE MOST PERFECT daughter-in-law; that we can worship at the church of our choice which just happens to be THE BEST; that we were both raised by Godly parents who didn’t spare the rod on either of us and we are grateful they didn’t; that this country has the best National Parks and natural beauty we have ever seen; and that Little Little E #1 came home from Baghdad relatively unscathed (and we can never thank him enough for that year of sacrifice). Can you tell this family loves the United States of America? Even with its flaws, it’s still the best place on earth to live.

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 2:21 pm
Freedom.

Comment by Conservative Republican Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 2:27 pm
i agree with nort of 1-80, though not entirely.

excluding the slavery and the jim crow eras, as well as those born with severe disabilities…

everyone in this country is born with a blank slate. everyone has the ability to choose his/her own path in life. those who work hard tend to do better than those who do not. people can and do make choices–it’s up to each individual to make choices that are in his/her best interest.

life, in terms of your quality of life, is what you make it.

many people come from poor or humble circumstances, but if one is so inclined to overcome such circumstances he/she can.

God Bless America!

Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 2:34 pm
I have people I can call real friends - on both sides of the aisle.

I’ve voted for both Democrats and Republicans - and the Union has survived.

In spite of the many seemingly difficult issues ahead - I’m confident that my children will live full happy lives.

I appreciate how dedicated my coworkers are to doing the right thing - even in difficult times like these.

I cherish the ability to speak my mind - and appreciate the thoughtful discussion I get in return, even in disagreement.

But I think most of all, I’m glad to have been born here - for that I’m forever grateful to my great grandparents.

Most of all, I

Comment by Full Sack Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 2:52 pm
My top three: freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the fact that anyone can work their way up without any class or caste system creating barriers.

Comment by Velma D. Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 3:08 pm
Freedom of speech (even if only these blogs - corporate media is very representative of big business interests only, I tune in out now, esp the Trib), and freedom to organize/convene. Nothing like a big group of people to get the point across esp in IL these days. Still hard to be heard with these idiots.

Comment by state employee Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 3:26 pm
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is very hard right now, with the lack of single-payer healthcare. One needs either health or wealth or both, to experience the above.

Comment by state employee Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 3:30 pm
I know you Rich, you couldn’t stifle if it meant your life!

Comment by Homey Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 3:33 pm
–”Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is very hard right now, with the lack of single-payer healthcare. One needs either health or wealth or both, to experience the above–

Oh, please.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 3:34 pm
My Grandparents were Norwegian… Upon arriving in America….they felt so compelled to be “American”….to them…it was a privilege. Right or Wrong….somehow we have lost that ideal.

I have two Nephews… both serving in IRAQ…. last year both were home on the 4th.. I personally thanked them for serving our country…
and the look in each of their eyes….said it all. I love America…the freedom it offers…and I love the individuals whom protect our rights. Happy Fourth… I too cherish my freedom….

Comment by Born in the USA Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 3:37 pm
Wow! Such incredible consensus and tolerance here! We may strongly disagree on specific policy issues, but we all give due respect to our opponents’ views (even Anne Coulter, ugh!)

The point is that we all consider ourselves engaged in a shared project to bring-about the best end result. And we do it without fearing that someone will fire-bomb us for what we dare to say. If our ideas compete successfully in the “marketplace,” then they have merit. As long as we have an informed citizenry evaluating the ideas, we’ll be cool.

One more thing: the whole idea of the peaceful (and full) transfer of executive authority was a pretty novel and controversial notion back in 1789. Yet Washington relinquished power after two terms (he didn’t have to) at one end, and most were content to let the courts decide the 2000 election results. Pretty amazing, really. Take a look at Iran and Honduras.

I’m a patriot when I say my country has flaws; I love my country despite them.

Comment by David Starrett Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 3:44 pm
We are a diverse country, a large country, one with many resources. The hands of our government turn over peacefully after elections, though it may take time to recount the votes (see Minnesota). We have many freedoms that many take for granted. Many natural wonders to behold.
Happy Independence Day to all.

Comment by Jake from Elwood Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 3:45 pm
“Wordslinger” I believe I am right. “Oh, please” what? Sick people do not have “life, liberty, nor the pursuit of happiness” and they often lose all when they lose their jobs b/c of illness.
I like what you have to say up until that ignorant posting, are you sure you’re the same person or an imposter wordslinger?

Comment by state employee Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 3:56 pm
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is very hard right now, with the lack of single-payer healthcare. One needs either health or wealth or both, to experience the above.

Yeah - until Obama destroys the world’s greatest health care system, we don’t have any life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness. My family has been living in this country for over 400 years, and we’ve all we’ve had is death, slavery and the pursuit of misery while waiting for Mr. Obama’s magic cure.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 4:10 pm
Let’s try to stay positive.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 4:11 pm
Last fall a hard-fought and emotional campaign for president took place between a constituency that supported the actions of the previous administration and a constituency that found those actions morally repulsive. Both sides deeply and honestly felt that justice, God and the American way were on their side. Both sides were utterly and emotionally committed to the truth of their position. And to varying degrees, both sides thought victory by the other harbored the inevitable and irretrievable decline of our nation.

And yet, a peaceful and orderly change of administration took place in January — very nearly without incident.

God Bless America and God Bless Americans.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 4:16 pm
State Employee — no one here denies that there are MANY serious problems in our state and country that interfere with “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for a lot of people. However, compared to many other places in the world (Haiti, Iran, Sudan, India, China, just to name a few) our problems are much more manageable.

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 4:19 pm
That I am free to choose when, where, and how I will worship. And that because of that I have received and am able to keep close to me so many blessings.

Comment by Mom to 50 Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 5:01 pm
Ummmm…. Ghost, Obama is the one who’s the current danger to destroy our liberty, prosperity, freedom and liberty with his imperial “Czars” and his reneging on every promise of making all legislation transparent and allowing for public comment and thorough debate on his massive spending bills.

He’’s following the Alinsky approach of campaigning from the center and governing from the far left, honesty be darned.

IMHO, our freedom and liberty hasn’t been more at risk than from the Obama dynasty since WWII.

Comment by PalosParkBob Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 9:07 pm
IT promises life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No where does it promise wealth. Besides wealth is not always measured on a monetary scale.
I too have countless reasons for loving this country. And for thanking those who have stood, and fallen, so I may enjoy this country’s blessings. And I also am thankful for folks like Rich who continue to question and to pry and to offer a forum for discussions and learning so that we do not relax and become complacent about our government.

Comment by Irish Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 10:45 pm