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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
By Dr. Marilyn Heins
July 02, 2009
July 4 is our country's birthday. A good time to celebrate the USA.
Yes we have enormous problems at home and abroad. Yes we are a divided electorate with most elections won by a small number of votes when that number is compared with the number of those voting and the number of those eligible to vote who stayed home.
But where else would you want to live and raise your children?
Despite today's problems we have cause to celebrate our freedoms and opportunities. If you ever doubt this read the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
Pick up a history book to read about our heroes. Pay attention to the rest of the world so you have an understanding of how many people live in countries with neither constitutional freedom or opportunities. Talk to your children about how proud you are of our country and how lucky we are to live here.
Yes, folks, there IS an American Dream out there. It is still a reality although things change so quickly that it may be harder to succeed these days.
Parents: point out to your children what the Fourth of July means and why we celebrate. Talk about partisanship and why people don't always agree on political issues. Find suitable children's books in the library that explain a bit about the rights and freedoms we have.
Make the Fourth of July more than going to a picnic and watching fireworks. Make it a celebration of a great country albeit one that needs to improve in several areas. And work and vote to help make needed improvements a reality.
Written by Dr Marilyn Heins. Dr.Heins is a pediatrician and parenting columnist residing in Tucson Arizona. For more information visit www.ParentKidsRight.com.
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