Movers and Shakers Queried: They Tell Us Why They Are Proud to be American and How to Unite Our Polarized Country
"I am most proud to be an American because I see Michael Galmer, a Russian immigrant, now an American citizen, who entered this country without resources but loved the freedom of working as he wished and is now an all-American success story. Through his work for Tiffany, he was able to put two kids through medical school. Michael's descriptions of his experiences within socialism and its soul-killing nature has given me a greater understanding of the true equality of capitalism.
The best way to unite our polarized country is to have both sides decide to be happy warriors not hateful warriors. I like ricochet.com because it is about conservatism that is honestly framed in a productive, positive context."
-Carolyn O'Keefe, President American Estate Jewelry available at Works Gallery on Madison Avenue
"I am most proud to be an American because t
his country has given people of all backgrounds the chance to make a better life for themselves and their families that is almost impossible to achieve anywhere else around the world.
The best way to unite our polarized country is that
Americans need to be Americans first before any affiliation: that is the only way forward or we will collapse as division eats away at the country."
-Charles Ferri, Founder & CEO, Star Vodka USA
"I am most proud to be an American because every loving mother throughout the globe at one point or another teaches her child that they CAN achieve in life
whatever they want if they are honest, work hard and never give up. This might be true for those living in other countries, b
ut no truer than for those of us who are lucky enough to live here. The opportunities....there are more of them. The impediments....there are fewer of them. Maybe it's because before the British before the French before the Germans and Japanese...we ruled ourselves. I don’t know. Maybe it's because we live between two oceans...I don’t know. Maybe because our country is abundant with natural resources....I don’t know. I do know that I wouldn’t trade what we have here f
or all the wine in France, all the pasta in Italy all the tea in China. There is something in the American character.
Its sense of fairness, its ingenuity, its work ethic. Someone once said you can tell the greatness of a country when you compare the number of people fighting to get in to those dying to get out. That might say it all. This 4th of July, b
efore we eat the first hotdog or watch the first ball game lets do what we can to support those men and women
who love our country most of all: those that are willing to fight and even die for it. God Bless them first of all.
And God continue to Bless America."
-Tony Marinelli, CEO of A. Marinelli
"I am most proud to be an American because
of the freedoms that have been provided to us by our brave men and women in the military. Most people take these freedoms for granted, only when you actually see how people are treated in other countries will you truly gain an appreciation for this wonderful country.
The best way to unite our polarized country is
to get people back to work because 8.5+ unemployment is unacceptable. The best way to do that is to place an emphasis on American manufacturing (which is how this great country was built) and for all Americans to make a concerted effort to purchase American made products."
-Ron Gresko, Director of Sales,
Ener-Gel Insoles
"I am most proud to be an American because the wide variety of opinions and philosophical pronouncements from people of all walks of life, backgrounds, levels of education and experience create a cacophony that makes NEWS but (with certain exceptions, of course) does not maim, does not kill and does not destroy the basic fabric of the nation. We are free to protest when our beliefs are threatened. The debate is always on, the challenge is always there, but the ability to differ is always free.
The best way to unite our polarized country is for the Media to stop emphasizing ANGER and MISERY and consider the positive side of our lives here in the U.S. more often."
-Barbara Tober,
Museum of Arts and Design,
Chairman Emerita, Board of Trustees
Chairman, Global Leadership Council
"I am proud to be an American because try as I might to do the politically
correct thing and accept that we - as a nation - are unexceptional, I just
can't do it. Logic and reason kick in!
The US has done more to provide opportunity, demonstrate compassion, defend
liberty, and foster creativity and innovation than any other in the past
two hundred years. It's not a contest. It's not gloating. It's just a fact.
The best way to unite this country is to pass a constitutional amendment that
increases the duration of every elected political office and limits *every*
position to a single term. No public servant should ever be motivated by the
desire to get re-elected and retain power. One and done. Suddenly, you might
see decisions based solely on what is best for the country. Partisanship will
never vanish - but career politicians would not be able to control and dictate
the dialogue in Washington. The notion of "junior" and "senior" would go by
the wayside, and good ideas would be rewarded before tenure."
-John-Claude Hallak of Hallak the Couture Cleaner
"I am most proud to be an American because
we live in the land of the free and the home of the brave!
The best way to unite our polarized country is
to have a gigantic outdoor concert to celebrate, Americans! A 4th of July concert to end all concerts. Great bands, good food, everything is free and participants can donate to a host of charities located in the United States."
-Russ Cohen Director of Communications, Sportsology.net
