what does it mean to be an American? what are the 3 most important characteristics this country is founded on?

Answer 1

I am an American. This is the 3 for me, although I know others would say otherwise:

Open-mindedness / acceptance
Compassion for others
Putting personal liberty above all else

Unfortunately the rest of the world has such a poor image of our country, they can't see this :(

Answer 2

Well, to me, being ex military and all, and living here all my life, and being able to call the White House and complain about something, then suddenly getting a document in the mail and saying all I have to do is sign it to have it put on a ballet, and voting when I choose to, and having the right to send email and letters to my elected officials, not afraid to include my home address and phone number, and even tell them that I will personally visit their office and kick their *** if they didn't change a particular law, (not that it worked, but I had the right to tell them) and I could protest not worrying about getting arrested as long as I didn't do anything violent against anyone else, and I can get a job in any state of the United States, and move anywhere here, and probably get a job in other countries, getting more money than the people that live there, because many of their citizens chose to live here, in a far better place, I have to say it's very cool to be an American, that's probably why so many volunteers go to war to protect what we have. I've barely skimmed the top of our freedoms, and our personal rights, and our freedom to own our land. I could go on, and on, and on, but I choose not to. It's up to me what I do, or don't do. Ron

Answer 3

Fundamentally I believe the 3 most important characteristics are;
1) Freedom of Speech/Expression
2) Free Elections in which all adult citizens can participate
3) The right of every American to run for office

Answer 4

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness seem like a good answer to the 2nd part.

As for what does it mean to be an American; It means that if you so choose you can involve yourself in the governing process to the extent that your time and rescources will allow. It means that you will be empowered to make your own way but responsible for the actions you take in doing so. It means that you are part of a grand history with more influence on the world we live in than any other.

Answer 5

Freedom to choose your own destiny = you can choose the path that your life will go on, you can educate yourself and the government helps fund that - you can have 10 kids and the government will help support them, you can move from new york to california - its in your hands

Freedom from Political persecution = you can vote for who you want, you can have an editorial printed out in the newspaper opposing the government, you can say good or bad things about people in control and know that there will not be retribution

Diversity = Although we have had a rocky past concerning diversity we ARE diverse and accept all nationalities, colors, religions, languages. It is NOT against the law to sell "coke from the empire" and it is ok if the muslim and the jew and the christian live on the same street and their kids play in the same little league team.

NO MATTER WHAT I LOVE AMERICA!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

To be an American to me means striving for the best. To me the three most important characteristics are Freedom, Tolerance, and Autonomy.

Answer 7

It means you have to deal with corporate greed, corrupt polititions, government overspending and underachieving. The 3 most important characteristics this country was founded on were forgotten long ago.

Answer 8

Te be authentically American means:

1. To have the ACLU dictate what law should be like.

2. To give as much sympathy to criminals and foreign POWs as possible, with complete disregard to the crime they did and the hell it has caused the victims, whom of which don't get spared of any misery.

3. To sue for every little thing even if it doesn't break any law but is just annoying, such as sueing McDonald's because you are too freaking lazy to read nutrition facts and then go on to pretty much say, "THEY NEVER WARNED ME IT WAS UNHEALTHY!!!"

Answer 9

1. Arrogance
2. Selfishness
3. Uneducated

Answer 10

I know I'm suppose to be answering this question, so I will! I feel that DARTHCARL's answer is great for a change. I also feel that he is a Republican, and I hardly ever agree with anything a Republican says, but I must admit I do like your answer sir, keep up the great answers!