I am an American that was not born in the United States nor to American parents.

Not being American by birth or heritage does not change the fact that I believe in freedom of thought and religion.

I believe in checks and balances in power.

Does being a citizen of a country directly and solely tied to being born within it’s boundaries? It would stand to reason that it might… then what happens when those borders move or
vanish (a frequent event in eastern Europe between first and second world war)?

One can be born here in the land currently called United States and s/he will be considered American… automatically. Is that enough to be an American? What does it take to “act”
like an American?

Citizens of any country have varying points of view. Religion, politics, sexuality and economic power differs and not uniform. So how can a society with such varied perspectives
survive under one democracy?

Evidence suggests that in most other countries the rights and needs of most of the population is not honored. Neither is it honored here in America.

With the rule of law, however, at least there is a chance to adjust the governmental focus to do better for more people. Yet I think I forget that the most important aspect of this
chance is the belief in the rule of law.

But the “law” does not rule, unless the citizens consent to following said law.

To be American is a strong belief in following the rule of law… AND… the determination to change it when it is not serving the needs of many. To succeed at being an American, I have
to accept the laws… AND… fight to change them… when necessary.

How do I change the law? I am not a lawyer. I am no activist. I am not part of a political party.

Well… to be American might also mean taking my voting responsibilities seriously and making sure I elect someone who truly does care about being an American rather than voting for
the one that the media may want me to believe in or against the one it wants me to be most fearful of.