Are You a "Real" American?

In these last weeks before the election, we have experienced the most negative campaign tactics seen in many years. We are bombarded with Robo Calls and mailings that describe Barack Obama as a terrorist and a potential threat to us all. Disproven many times and answered to many times by both Barack and by many resources that should have squelched the entire round of lies. It hasn't.

John McCain and the GOP have continued to latch onto any word or act of Senator Obama or Joe Biden and exaggerate the truth or entire statement until it sounds totally ludicrous. We have suffered through these attacks and these tactics, with both Republicans and Democrats still trying to decide who will lead our country.

Now in the last two weeks, we have been subjected to the comments of Sarah Palin talking about a Pro America and Small Town America being where she wanted to campaign. Next was Congresswoman from Minnesota, Michelle Bachmann, while talking to Chris Matthews on Hardball, called for an extensive investigation by the media into who in Washington was Pro America and who was Anti America. Republicans are jumping ship right and left.

Then we have our illustrious Nancy Pfotenhauer, Senior Advisor to the McCain campaign who also told Chris Matthews, suggested that the Republican nominee would win the state because he is doing better in the southern part of the state or, as she called it, "real Virginia. When pressed for a clarification of the remarks, she continued to put her foot in her mouth by making it seem as though some parts of America are more American than other parts. She totally discounted big cities and many other places in the country as being un American.

My question would be: What is a "REAL" American? Are you one?

In trying to describe what a "Real" American is, it would be helpful to have a description of what I think it should be as a older person who loves her country deeply and who was raised with WW11 veterans, Korean War veterans and Vietnam veterans.

I am not sure what the Republicans feel a True American consists of but here goes my humble opinion. You can compare what you think it is and judge for yourself.

I think a "Real" American is a person who first of all loves to live in America. You realize that the freedoms we have enjoyed for so long and not a worldwide normal day. You also realize that as an American you have certain responsibilities. No matter where you came from originally, being an American brings a different perspective.

You are responsible for taking care of you and yours. No matter what part of the country you live in, you are responsible for your space. Responsible for managing your household, your family, your money and your work. If it doesn't get done, it is on you.

You are responsible for being honest. Honest about how you deal with others. Honest about how you earn a living. And honest about how you live your life when no one is looking. Do you run red lights at the risk of hurting someone? Do you talk on the cell phone even in busy traffic without being aware of the potential to kill someone? Do you take an extra deduction that you know you shouldn't on taxes? Do you get a welfare check even though you really could work? How many people took the tax rebate last year that didn't really need it?

What are you doing about your children? What about your spending and buying and credit habits? Are you one of the millions who, in attempting to keep up with the Joneses, are now living in a box? Are you being responsible in the manner in which you raise them? Are you truly concerned with their education, their health and their mental well being? Are you teaching them to be responsible in their lives?

Do they know where babies come from before they actually have one? Can they balance a checkbook? Or do they sit in front of the TV, eating junk or playing video games instead of doing homework or getting outdoors and getting some exercise? Do you get involved with the schools to make sure your children are getting the best education possible? Do you teach them charity? Do they have concern and tolerance for others? You had them after all, no one forced that decision. It is your job to raise them and be sure they reach adulthood. No one else's responsibility.

Are you responsible on your job? They say Americans have the best work ethic in the world. I say, Do they? We have watched jobs go out the window. Yes, much is attributed to money. However, having been in or around manufacturing for many years, I would venture to say, if we are honest with ourselves, that isn't always the case. There are people who just show up and bleed the clock and get paid for little of nothing. Letting poor quality products go out the door over lack of interest? Yes, right here in the Good Ole USA.

Are you responsible in taking care of our planet? Do you throw trash out of your car window? Do you throw plastic in the garbage? How much food do you waste? No matter who you are, recycling is necessary for our survival. We can't continue to waste and pile up landfills because of laziness. We can't continue to waste food and still have people hungry in this country.

Your patriotism. Patriotism means you love your country and are willing to stand up and defend it no matter what. It means supporting our troops without question, even though the politicians put them in an unnecessary war. It means not trying to divide us and cause internal strife among us as we have seen John McCain and Sarah Palin try to do. Their attempt to divide this country at a time when it is more critical than ever to stand united, is so outrageous, I cannot believe any American would vote for them.

My idea of a "Real" American is someone who is trying to build up our country and not tear it down. They don't take and take as in an ad I saw about the bailout package, saying, "Get your share of the Bailout Package, Their are millions available for anyone to claim now". Insurance claims, lawsuits, false SSI claims, and tax fraud, all degrade our country. Yet there are many people who, with the age of the internet, will claim to be a true American, but will steal and rob anybody and anything they can. Those things, divide America as much as the words of the politicians.

Being a Real American means instead of being a burden to our country, you are helping to build a better country. That is a True American. Not religion, race, background or beliefs. Not living in a certain state or supporting a certain candidate It has proven that a diversified America is a strong America, but a Divided America is a Disaster waiting to happen.

Millions of Americans do all of these things each day. I think millions more are realizing that it is important for everyone to participate. Obama is telling us that we have to become more responsible and help rebuild America. I agree.

My greatest belief of a Real America is an America where Politicians are working "FOR" Us...Not trying to rip us off, lie to us and create more problems than we had to begin with. That is where this campaign has gone and that is where we have been shown the "REAL" Washington. A Washington and Politicians who are more concerned with name calling and with lying and abusing America instead of bringing us together.

What are your views on being a Real American? Do you think John McCain and Sarah Palin have proven to be REAL? Is Sarah's Walmart, Hockey Mom image for REAL or is she just being a liar? Can you claim that and spend $150,000 on clothes while Americans are struggling to buy food? I spent $150 for all of last year.

The GOP statements from these people makes me very angry. I am appalled at how they can still be allowed to talk. Being a Real American has nothing to do with where you live. It has to do with what you do. I am a Real American and I don't live anywhere near the Real Virgina.