Being Thankful This Month

This November is an interesting month – not only does it include the Thanksgiving holiday, but it is also a mid-term election month. Regarding the election, being an American is a great privilege for all of us. The vast majority of Americans came from immigrant families (mine were from the Austrian-Hungary Ottoman Empire and from Italy). They came to United States of America because it was a Republic. Many do not understand the meaning of what a Republic is – it is a state in which supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them; a state in which the head of government is not a monarch or other hereditary head of state. My relatives came to this country because it was a Democratic Republic. We are blessed to be an American where free speech and free thinking is still allowed (for the most part). It is a bountiful country where the Statue of Liberty and our red, white and blue flag still represents our freedoms. It is interesting to watch the division of the two main parties; in other countries, the opposing politicians and protesters would be imprisoned or put to death, but in this Republic, we are free to express our views. This is still a country in which voters have a right to their opinion, and no one should overstep those boundaries. We have a President that is making America great again – look around you, there are not enough truckers to haul all the freight! Hiring signs are all around… on trucks, company signs, in newspapers and online ads. It is nice to travel the freeways and see two lanes, sometimes even three, filled with trucks, keeping the economy strong. Remember back six years ago, when unemployment was so very high and there were only a few truckers on the freeway? Well, now unemployment is way down and the economy is booming. Yes, we have people saying that the sky is falling, and that America is not so great, but that is their opinion, and they have the right to think and say that. How do we support our country? By voting, giving voice to our rights as Americans, and honoring our veterans, who have fought to uphold our freedom to vote. Your vote is your voice and support of our government. Do not just complain – use that voice and vote. And when the Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated later in the month, we should be thankful for our relatives who had the courage to come to this great country, so we could enjoy the benefits and pass them on to the next generation. Remember, get out and vote, then have a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving!