What Does It Mean To Be An American?

I've never traveled outside the US so I have no real comparison to other countries.  But being an American is not just about what we are offered in this Country.. It is also the sense of Community and Family we share.  Yes we do have problems amongst ourselves at times racially, etc..  But To me I also see that One for all - All for one mentality prevail.  If threatened.. We stick together we forget our problems with each other.. And when One goes down.. Many are willing to stand together to help that one.. I remember watching this movie "Not without my Daughter"  and the end scene when she is walking away and she hears and then sees the American flag waving she cries.. I was crying to thinking HOME that's what that Flag means.. It means I am home.

To me it means to live my life as I choose, without government interference. I can dream as big a dream as I am willing to work to make happen and in this country big dreams do come true.  Americans enjoy a high standard of living with many unappreciated advantages.  We have great highways, infrastructures, schools and libraries.  We have endless opportunities to learn and better ourselves.  We have a legal system that protects the perpetrators rights as vigilantly as the victims.  We have the right to due process and the appeal process.  We have the protection of local law enforcement and a strong military that is respected world-wide.  On and on there are so many pluses to living in this country.  Lastly I would add, this is a big country that embraces many different kinds of people and the land itself has a wonderful diversity from sea to shinning sea and in between in the prairies, the low lands, the mountains, the mega cities and the quaint villages.  America is GREAT!

This is a really tough question.
To me, being an American means that I have more personal choices and freedoms than people living in a lot of other countries. I have traveled around the world and experienced how other people live, the conditions they live in, the oppressive governments that they must endure, and so on.  
I feel that The United States Of America is still the GREATEST country in the WORLD.

I'm a Veteran and fought for the country I Love!

However I hate my government!!!!!!!!

logic101