Opinion : Letter to the Editor: Thankful to be American

As Thanksgiving day approaches I feel certain blessings. One and the most important - I have been born an American. Where I am not subject to a system that restricts how far I can go. I am only restricted by my ambition, initiative, and guts. As many Mothers tell their children, "You can be President of the USA." I have never had that ambition however, but other ambitions have confronted me that I did not anticipate. I would suggest that if you are not happy with your situation in life in this country that the first place you should look is in the mirror. For likely any restrictions to your progress is likely found in that reflection. I am grateful I had the privilege of serving this Nation in its Armed Forces. I am also grateful that I am a husband, father and grandfather. For too many of the comrades that I served with did not make it that far. I am also grateful that up until this time I had a government that was not afraid of my opposition to its policies. For I have written many letters to newspapers and to our elected representatives in opposition of government policies. So far at least I am not in jail as a political prisoner. I have to assume that my meager opposition is not observed by the elite, or that at least until this time the first Amendment is still in force. So in this holiday season let us focus on the blessing we have and be grateful where we are. Those who are hurting and without a job take comfort that many of us older folks have been there and survived. Hang in there, don't give up. God bless. -John Stiegelmeyer, Vinton