This thread really made me pause. So many heartfelt definitions of what it means to be American — and what struck me most is how much of it comes down to choice. Choosing to pledge. Choosing to stay. Choosing to sacrifice. But also choosing to uphold the values even when it’s hard.
I’m an immigrant. I know what it feels like to leave everything behind and bet your life on a promise. But I also see the tension: between love of country and love of freedom itself.
Maybe being American isn’t just about allegiance to a flag or law. Maybe it’s about earning your place by acting with integrity, helping your neighbor, and standing up for what’s right — even when it’s unpopular. That feels American to me.
If we were to pay illegals we should not pay them more than $2,500, a quarter of the $10K, but because of bank stability issues it may not be as big as an incentive as it seems. All the returning illegals would probably be targeted by corrupt individuals or cartels. Also, there are countries with difficulties getting US Dollars. And if you gave them US Dollars prior to leaving, I could also see them getting mugged/murdered for it.
I thought it was an interesting idea what an another commenter wrote about having to return the money if they return to the US or pledging not to return. At first I was all for returning it, but boy would that not be fun if you had the money stolen. And how do you prove the cartel stole your money?! I could then see some of these organizations turning around and charging the illegals the money they stole that needs to be returned plus their fees. Thinking not being able to return is better, but with that we need to permanently remove all the insane benefits illegal immigrants have been getting. On the other hand, if they wanted to stay or have family already here illegally, then they may not bite on the offer. In this case, USD prior to departure would be more of an incentive.
I had been putting off joining for years and I finally got on here just for you! I love The Wright Report!! I love the political news with the added global news in relation to the US and medical studies.
As a naturalized citizen I swore allegiance to the constitution as did many other people from all over the world when I became a citizen. I came from the UK which still recognizes I am UK citizen but as a US citizen I had to denounce any allegiance to any other countries which I did. There is no other country today or in history that believes in God, citizen's have God given rights, and a the constitution was designed and implemented to protect those rights. During the citizenship process, my family had to have a sponsor and he had to write a letter to commit if my family became a dependent on the US he had to cover those expenses not the US before we had to return. So the Declaration of Independence calls out pursuit of happiness which to me means finding God in your life ......all are free to choose whatever makes you happy. The constitution also protects parasites that live off the system and in many cases protects people's right to do actions that are trying to tear down the constitution. I live in MA and every rep and both senators vote for bills that are unconstitutional. You can find the same in other states. All of congress that vote against the constitution are pretty much in one of the two political parties.
I believe an American Citizen is a person who believes in the values and beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and lives their lives accordingly.
I am a naturalized citizen from Canada, so I understand what it is like to apply and be accepted /granted US citizenship. My thought on this is quite simple, I took an oath of allegiance to the United States to become a US citizen. Maybe this oath should also apply to Green Card applicants. If you live in a country, you accept it for better and worse nothing is perfect. If you don't like it leave it, you can at any time. If you want to change it there is a process for that, do it right and it will be accepted. We had to wait 2 years for our application for citizenship to be accepted/granted before we could enter the states. this was a few years ago, so I don't know what the process is now, but it seems way too easy for applicants to be accepted. If they are unwilling to accept or believe the requirements of the oath maybe they should go somewhere else to live.
I don’t think stopping Chinese ownership of land in the U.S. will stand up on its own to deep scrutiny.
Reparations for court ordered restitution - sure.
But to make one country’s foreign ownership illegal won’t stand. It world require the same application be applied to all foreign entities whether nation state, businesses, or private individuals.
I have a problem with making the 1st Amendment guarantee of free (political) speech moot for college students, faculty (yes it’s happening), and civilians when it comes to Israel.
1st Amendment applies to everyone legally in the country, citizen or not.
If I say boycott CCP/China over what they do to Uygers, no one has a problem.
If I say End South African apartheid no one has a problem. The ANC is killing hundreds of white farmers and “redistributing” the farms to black Africans (Zimbabwe anyone).
If I say End Zionism and Israeli apartheid, suddenly everyone accuses me of being antisemitic.
That’s not true. It is a manifestation of politicos, lobbyists, and media. It’s the same scare tactics the NAZi party used.
Any-Zionism does not equal Antisemitism or anti-Judaism. I have friends and business partners and colleagues who are Jewish from actual Semitic blood lines. Most Israelis don’t have actual blood ties to the Hebrews (who were Semitic). They are Europeans.
I’m half Semitic, originating from Arab blood lines (DNA proved) that immigrated to the U.S. from Bethlehem and Damascus - Catholic and Syrian Orthodox.
Why should I be targeted and denied employment for having a Free Palestine or From the River to the Sea, or End Apartheid sticker on my car, or wear a watermelon tee shirt?
Yet again Bryan, you’ve provided much-needed insight and perspective. To plagiarize Kipling, you help us keep our heads while all about us are losing theirs and blaming it on us! One tidbit of information I thought of when you a raised the question about what it actually means to be an American. Although fraught with controversy over the years and assailed to the point of near-extinction, as children (and many of us as adults) we have all recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Interesting word there: pledge. The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as “A solemn binding promise to do, give, or refrain from doing something.” Solemn. Binding. Not to be taken lightly or frivolously. Not just the name of a lemony furniture spray after all! But at the same time, the right to dissent is enshrined in our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Those documents define who we are as a nation as well as what protections we have against any entity, foreign or domestic, that dares to violate those rights. What to do, then? To pledge allegiance to this nation is to declare yourself an ally. It has little to do with whether or not you agree with DOGE or if you want free healthcare. It’s deeper than government (and dare I say even deeper than the deep-state 😬) because it defines us as a people. One Nation.
In the case of our recent citizen of Palestinian lineage, he obtained a green card. Great! Good for him. He is now allowed to benefit from the protections, the freedom, and the allegiance of this great nation. In the final stages of the process, all applicants take an oath:
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
The principles embodied in the Oath are codified in Section 337(a) in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
An oath. Another word for oath? A Pledge.
Now I’m going to listen to today’s brief and then I’ll be all caught up!
I’ve seen many great comments on what being an American is all about and I’m not sure I can top them. Fundamentally, it is a belief that you have an opportunity to own property (physically and mentally) of which no outside can influence/control. The power is with the people, not the state.
What is not American though is coming here and retaining the same cultural aspects from where you came. Being American is to shed the old and adopt the new. You want to be here because of what it stands for, not want to make it something else.
The inside jobbers: This is a version of espionage—sabotage for all intents and purposes. The two ‘alleged’ saboteurs should be treated thusly. I think these arrests of federal employees also plays in to the TWR question on what it means to be American/dual citizen. BDW’s self deport plan has a carrot and stick. I like this plan. But the incentive structure should be called cake and stick. No matter! If the self deported and involuntary ‘returns’ can be tracked and treated accordingly, let’s do it. Khalil & green card holder deportation. Mr. Khalil is going to set the example. Other Greencards holding strong views will either figure out that protest/free speech and violence/coercion are not the same things; or they can go back to their home countries. Ukraine: The President is trying to create incentives for Ukraine and Russia to negotiate a peace—that won’t work. Each side has to make the decision to move to a ceasefire and negotiations. Biden put us on the side of Ukraine, and then Trump made it look like we switched sides. Today it looks like we’ll help whichever one chooses a ceasefire, and hammer the other. It looks like the President learned little from his Afghanistan dealings.
I just got here, so please allow me to barge in! Green Card holders, by definition have officially renounced their original country of citizenship upon taking the oath. 8USC1448 Subsection (2) to renounce and abjure absolutely and entirely all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which the applicant was before a subject or citizen.
Technically, for Green Card holders, THIS is their home country and as such they should act accordingly.
Good morning! ILLEGALS. No help they got too much, leave-' get out -- put a cash bounty on their heads, dead or alive..On another note; Me and others are being scammed by the state of Connecticut for OVER $50K IN ORDER TO SELL OUR PROPERTIES AND LEAVE THE STATE! I'll keep you posted !
An American does not have allegiance to another country. That may sound harsh, but if one still cares about their home country, they are dual citizens. It an American stands for only one country, and that is the USA. I do not have any allegiance to another country. Why? Because I am an American period the end.
Chris was absolutely right; WOW, double and triple WOW! Kudos to the WR gang for some of the best write ups on what it means to be an American.
I could pick out many of the WR comments for my personal belief as what it takes to be an American but I will just say that my jingoism came later in life, after serving in the military and living overseas for nearly 2 decades in several countries and traveling to several others. I grew up where the Mighty Bull, USN DD660, hung on our living room wall, Not until I got much older did that painting of my fathers destroyer mean much, I wish I had that painting to hang on my wall now.
If anyone doubts the USA is the most free nation in the world, spend a year or two in a foreign country. I enjoy the travel and spending time in other countries but the USA will be my home as long as our Constitution remains the backbone of our government!
My Grandmother and Grandfather immigrated to America in 1921-1922 and became citizens from Hungary. My grandmother worked hard and made many sacrifices working in Dayton Ohio, my grandfather left the family and moved to Arizona and my grandma had to put my mother, her sister and brother in an orphanage at a young age, she could barely speak English but worked hard in a Hungarian meat plant to save money to bring my mother and her sister back from Pennsylvania so they could go to school in Dayton. My mother received schooling up to 7th grade then had to start working. My grandmother's sister born in Dayton left to go back to Hungary, but my grandmother stuck it out and stayed in America.
I love America and I appreciate being able to work hard for 40 years with only 2 jobs, have a house, family and now being able to spoil my grandchildren. I'm proud of America, my home that helps the entire world, it is the greatest place on earth, and I'm blessed to be here, and I appreciate the USA and the warriors who protected and protects us. It is their sacrifice that gave me the opportunity to have an unbelievable life that I've had. I owe everything to my grandmother, mother and the greatest country in the world the United States of America.
I am not sure that we can adequately figure out which immigrant is here for the right reasons prior to their coming. There are always those people who will lie or say the right thing to receive the prosperity they can find in the US. In comparison to the rest of the world, the US has many freedoms and an economy that allows for growth, which is greatly desired.
I know many who have pretty much won the lottery in their country to come to the US. One family’s father was an electrical engineer and had to start all over because his degree did not transfer. He worked full time and worked to become certified in the States. That whole family has become successful.
I like the idea of offering obey and a plane ticket to leave; however, if we have seen anything from Doge, it’s that if there is a way to defraud or launder money, people will find it. I’d be too worried that people would try to sneak back in or come across the boarder to receive those funds over and over again.
My perception of being an American is influenced by my great-great-grandparents' immigration from Germany (Prussia) in 1868. At that time, Prussians immigrated to the United States for economic opportunities and to avoid military conscription. They came for the promise of land, freedom, and prosperity. My great-great-grandfather became a naturalized citizen in 1891, seven years before his death. Between immigrating and naturalization, he homesteaded the land he lived on.
He renounced his allegiance to Germany and went all in on becoming a productive member of American society and fulfilling the requirements of having a good moral character as judged by the court and the sworn testimony of two American citizens. To my knowledge, he never looked back and was always looking for ways to get ahead, including filing several patents and developing a thriving business selling mineral waters.
So, what does it mean to be an American? You claim America as your own, forsaking all others. People from other nations are surprised when Americans talk about my country, not the country. You feel the responsibility to be successful and, in turn, make America successful. You are law-abiding and have a strong moral character that others will attest to. You are proud of America and what we have accomplished together as a country. You strive to do the right thing as you understand it; if you see something morally wrong, you work with other citizens to change it up, too, including modifying the country's constitution.
Being an American isn’t easy. You must be self-reliant, morally driven, and willing to abide by the country's laws or change them if a majority of citizens agree with you. (Or a supermajority in the case of the constitution.) Americans help each other first and others, if we can, without breaking our compact of mutual support with one another. That’s old-fashioned, but it has made us who we are.
This thread really made me pause. So many heartfelt definitions of what it means to be American — and what struck me most is how much of it comes down to choice. Choosing to pledge. Choosing to stay. Choosing to sacrifice. But also choosing to uphold the values even when it’s hard.
I’m an immigrant. I know what it feels like to leave everything behind and bet your life on a promise. But I also see the tension: between love of country and love of freedom itself.
Maybe being American isn’t just about allegiance to a flag or law. Maybe it’s about earning your place by acting with integrity, helping your neighbor, and standing up for what’s right — even when it’s unpopular. That feels American to me.
Thanks, Bryan, for sparking this kind of depth.
If we were to pay illegals we should not pay them more than $2,500, a quarter of the $10K, but because of bank stability issues it may not be as big as an incentive as it seems. All the returning illegals would probably be targeted by corrupt individuals or cartels. Also, there are countries with difficulties getting US Dollars. And if you gave them US Dollars prior to leaving, I could also see them getting mugged/murdered for it.
I thought it was an interesting idea what an another commenter wrote about having to return the money if they return to the US or pledging not to return. At first I was all for returning it, but boy would that not be fun if you had the money stolen. And how do you prove the cartel stole your money?! I could then see some of these organizations turning around and charging the illegals the money they stole that needs to be returned plus their fees. Thinking not being able to return is better, but with that we need to permanently remove all the insane benefits illegal immigrants have been getting. On the other hand, if they wanted to stay or have family already here illegally, then they may not bite on the offer. In this case, USD prior to departure would be more of an incentive.
I had been putting off joining for years and I finally got on here just for you! I love The Wright Report!! I love the political news with the added global news in relation to the US and medical studies.
Gotta keep episodes to under 30 minutes. Love the content but listener fatigue sets in
Hearing you… thanks for this. There’s so much going on and I try to cover as much as I can that’s germane.
re: American citizen
HI Bryan
As a naturalized citizen I swore allegiance to the constitution as did many other people from all over the world when I became a citizen. I came from the UK which still recognizes I am UK citizen but as a US citizen I had to denounce any allegiance to any other countries which I did. There is no other country today or in history that believes in God, citizen's have God given rights, and a the constitution was designed and implemented to protect those rights. During the citizenship process, my family had to have a sponsor and he had to write a letter to commit if my family became a dependent on the US he had to cover those expenses not the US before we had to return. So the Declaration of Independence calls out pursuit of happiness which to me means finding God in your life ......all are free to choose whatever makes you happy. The constitution also protects parasites that live off the system and in many cases protects people's right to do actions that are trying to tear down the constitution. I live in MA and every rep and both senators vote for bills that are unconstitutional. You can find the same in other states. All of congress that vote against the constitution are pretty much in one of the two political parties.
I believe an American Citizen is a person who believes in the values and beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and lives their lives accordingly.
What does it mean to be an American?
I am a naturalized citizen from Canada, so I understand what it is like to apply and be accepted /granted US citizenship. My thought on this is quite simple, I took an oath of allegiance to the United States to become a US citizen. Maybe this oath should also apply to Green Card applicants. If you live in a country, you accept it for better and worse nothing is perfect. If you don't like it leave it, you can at any time. If you want to change it there is a process for that, do it right and it will be accepted. We had to wait 2 years for our application for citizenship to be accepted/granted before we could enter the states. this was a few years ago, so I don't know what the process is now, but it seems way too easy for applicants to be accepted. If they are unwilling to accept or believe the requirements of the oath maybe they should go somewhere else to live.
I don’t think stopping Chinese ownership of land in the U.S. will stand up on its own to deep scrutiny.
Reparations for court ordered restitution - sure.
But to make one country’s foreign ownership illegal won’t stand. It world require the same application be applied to all foreign entities whether nation state, businesses, or private individuals.
I have a problem with making the 1st Amendment guarantee of free (political) speech moot for college students, faculty (yes it’s happening), and civilians when it comes to Israel.
1st Amendment applies to everyone legally in the country, citizen or not.
If I say boycott CCP/China over what they do to Uygers, no one has a problem.
If I say End South African apartheid no one has a problem. The ANC is killing hundreds of white farmers and “redistributing” the farms to black Africans (Zimbabwe anyone).
If I say End Zionism and Israeli apartheid, suddenly everyone accuses me of being antisemitic.
That’s not true. It is a manifestation of politicos, lobbyists, and media. It’s the same scare tactics the NAZi party used.
Any-Zionism does not equal Antisemitism or anti-Judaism. I have friends and business partners and colleagues who are Jewish from actual Semitic blood lines. Most Israelis don’t have actual blood ties to the Hebrews (who were Semitic). They are Europeans.
I’m half Semitic, originating from Arab blood lines (DNA proved) that immigrated to the U.S. from Bethlehem and Damascus - Catholic and Syrian Orthodox.
Why should I be targeted and denied employment for having a Free Palestine or From the River to the Sea, or End Apartheid sticker on my car, or wear a watermelon tee shirt?
https://x.com/kahlissee/status/1899868466511069237?s=46
Yet again Bryan, you’ve provided much-needed insight and perspective. To plagiarize Kipling, you help us keep our heads while all about us are losing theirs and blaming it on us! One tidbit of information I thought of when you a raised the question about what it actually means to be an American. Although fraught with controversy over the years and assailed to the point of near-extinction, as children (and many of us as adults) we have all recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Interesting word there: pledge. The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as “A solemn binding promise to do, give, or refrain from doing something.” Solemn. Binding. Not to be taken lightly or frivolously. Not just the name of a lemony furniture spray after all! But at the same time, the right to dissent is enshrined in our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Those documents define who we are as a nation as well as what protections we have against any entity, foreign or domestic, that dares to violate those rights. What to do, then? To pledge allegiance to this nation is to declare yourself an ally. It has little to do with whether or not you agree with DOGE or if you want free healthcare. It’s deeper than government (and dare I say even deeper than the deep-state 😬) because it defines us as a people. One Nation.
In the case of our recent citizen of Palestinian lineage, he obtained a green card. Great! Good for him. He is now allowed to benefit from the protections, the freedom, and the allegiance of this great nation. In the final stages of the process, all applicants take an oath:
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
The principles embodied in the Oath are codified in Section 337(a) in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
An oath. Another word for oath? A Pledge.
Now I’m going to listen to today’s brief and then I’ll be all caught up!
I’ve seen many great comments on what being an American is all about and I’m not sure I can top them. Fundamentally, it is a belief that you have an opportunity to own property (physically and mentally) of which no outside can influence/control. The power is with the people, not the state.
What is not American though is coming here and retaining the same cultural aspects from where you came. Being American is to shed the old and adopt the new. You want to be here because of what it stands for, not want to make it something else.
The inside jobbers: This is a version of espionage—sabotage for all intents and purposes. The two ‘alleged’ saboteurs should be treated thusly. I think these arrests of federal employees also plays in to the TWR question on what it means to be American/dual citizen. BDW’s self deport plan has a carrot and stick. I like this plan. But the incentive structure should be called cake and stick. No matter! If the self deported and involuntary ‘returns’ can be tracked and treated accordingly, let’s do it. Khalil & green card holder deportation. Mr. Khalil is going to set the example. Other Greencards holding strong views will either figure out that protest/free speech and violence/coercion are not the same things; or they can go back to their home countries. Ukraine: The President is trying to create incentives for Ukraine and Russia to negotiate a peace—that won’t work. Each side has to make the decision to move to a ceasefire and negotiations. Biden put us on the side of Ukraine, and then Trump made it look like we switched sides. Today it looks like we’ll help whichever one chooses a ceasefire, and hammer the other. It looks like the President learned little from his Afghanistan dealings.
I just got here, so please allow me to barge in! Green Card holders, by definition have officially renounced their original country of citizenship upon taking the oath. 8USC1448 Subsection (2) to renounce and abjure absolutely and entirely all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which the applicant was before a subject or citizen.
Technically, for Green Card holders, THIS is their home country and as such they should act accordingly.
Good morning! ILLEGALS. No help they got too much, leave-' get out -- put a cash bounty on their heads, dead or alive..On another note; Me and others are being scammed by the state of Connecticut for OVER $50K IN ORDER TO SELL OUR PROPERTIES AND LEAVE THE STATE! I'll keep you posted !
Who you callin illegals, mister 🤨
Oops! Sorry. I mistook your exclamation point for a comma. Carry on 😁
An American does not have allegiance to another country. That may sound harsh, but if one still cares about their home country, they are dual citizens. It an American stands for only one country, and that is the USA. I do not have any allegiance to another country. Why? Because I am an American period the end.
Chris was absolutely right; WOW, double and triple WOW! Kudos to the WR gang for some of the best write ups on what it means to be an American.
I could pick out many of the WR comments for my personal belief as what it takes to be an American but I will just say that my jingoism came later in life, after serving in the military and living overseas for nearly 2 decades in several countries and traveling to several others. I grew up where the Mighty Bull, USN DD660, hung on our living room wall, Not until I got much older did that painting of my fathers destroyer mean much, I wish I had that painting to hang on my wall now.
If anyone doubts the USA is the most free nation in the world, spend a year or two in a foreign country. I enjoy the travel and spending time in other countries but the USA will be my home as long as our Constitution remains the backbone of our government!
Rosie O'Donnell, don't come back!
My Grandmother and Grandfather immigrated to America in 1921-1922 and became citizens from Hungary. My grandmother worked hard and made many sacrifices working in Dayton Ohio, my grandfather left the family and moved to Arizona and my grandma had to put my mother, her sister and brother in an orphanage at a young age, she could barely speak English but worked hard in a Hungarian meat plant to save money to bring my mother and her sister back from Pennsylvania so they could go to school in Dayton. My mother received schooling up to 7th grade then had to start working. My grandmother's sister born in Dayton left to go back to Hungary, but my grandmother stuck it out and stayed in America.
I love America and I appreciate being able to work hard for 40 years with only 2 jobs, have a house, family and now being able to spoil my grandchildren. I'm proud of America, my home that helps the entire world, it is the greatest place on earth, and I'm blessed to be here, and I appreciate the USA and the warriors who protected and protects us. It is their sacrifice that gave me the opportunity to have an unbelievable life that I've had. I owe everything to my grandmother, mother and the greatest country in the world the United States of America.
I am not sure that we can adequately figure out which immigrant is here for the right reasons prior to their coming. There are always those people who will lie or say the right thing to receive the prosperity they can find in the US. In comparison to the rest of the world, the US has many freedoms and an economy that allows for growth, which is greatly desired.
I know many who have pretty much won the lottery in their country to come to the US. One family’s father was an electrical engineer and had to start all over because his degree did not transfer. He worked full time and worked to become certified in the States. That whole family has become successful.
I like the idea of offering obey and a plane ticket to leave; however, if we have seen anything from Doge, it’s that if there is a way to defraud or launder money, people will find it. I’d be too worried that people would try to sneak back in or come across the boarder to receive those funds over and over again.
What does it mean to be an American?
My perception of being an American is influenced by my great-great-grandparents' immigration from Germany (Prussia) in 1868. At that time, Prussians immigrated to the United States for economic opportunities and to avoid military conscription. They came for the promise of land, freedom, and prosperity. My great-great-grandfather became a naturalized citizen in 1891, seven years before his death. Between immigrating and naturalization, he homesteaded the land he lived on.
He renounced his allegiance to Germany and went all in on becoming a productive member of American society and fulfilling the requirements of having a good moral character as judged by the court and the sworn testimony of two American citizens. To my knowledge, he never looked back and was always looking for ways to get ahead, including filing several patents and developing a thriving business selling mineral waters.
So, what does it mean to be an American? You claim America as your own, forsaking all others. People from other nations are surprised when Americans talk about my country, not the country. You feel the responsibility to be successful and, in turn, make America successful. You are law-abiding and have a strong moral character that others will attest to. You are proud of America and what we have accomplished together as a country. You strive to do the right thing as you understand it; if you see something morally wrong, you work with other citizens to change it up, too, including modifying the country's constitution.
Being an American isn’t easy. You must be self-reliant, morally driven, and willing to abide by the country's laws or change them if a majority of citizens agree with you. (Or a supermajority in the case of the constitution.) Americans help each other first and others, if we can, without breaking our compact of mutual support with one another. That’s old-fashioned, but it has made us who we are.
"You claim America as your own, forsaking all others.”
Such a powerful sentence. Thank you!