"In Order to Form a More Perfect Union"

“Why do we have to see a battleship? It’s not doing anything. It’s just sitting there.” I was a disgruntled 7 year old in 1957 as my father traipsed my mother and me to yet another historic site. We had arrived from Montevideo, Uruguay, in the winter and now that it was summer my dad wanted to show us history—the history of his country that was going to become my country. In truth I was horrified when we visited Antietam  and saw the mass graves and I could not understand how so many people died in one battle of the Civil War. There, and at so many other sites, my father patiently explained the complicated history of The United States. I didn’t realize it at the time of course, but all of these excursions and all of these lessons were building something monumental inside of me. “This battleship,” he explained as we stood before the massive structure, “was full of men who were deeply committed to the concept of freedom. They were willing to die for it. See, we live in a country where we believe freedom is a fundamental right.” Then I remember asking him, point blank, “So, is this country perfect now?” He sat me down, right there on the deck of the ship, sat next to me and said, “No. It’s not. So many people still don’t have basic human rights. There is a lot of inequality in our system. Too often people in power abuse it. Too often people think money is what matters. Too often there are angers and grievances of one group against another.” “Then why is this such a great county, Papa? You said we were great. And why did so many people die?” I asked almost in tears. This made no sense to me. “Because,” he began, “we keep perfecting our system. One of the greatest things is that our country fixes and adapts and refines all the time. What makes us great are our ideals. Have we met them all perfectly? No. Not yet. But we keep working at it. You and your children and their children will keep working at it. Because America is not perfect country—But it is a perfect ideal. A perfect goal.” I understood this. I understood not being perfect but trying over and over to get it right.
And so, here we are, on the eve of the contentious and strife-ridden election of 2020. We are not perfect.
But I believe in America. I believe in our great ideals even while recognizing our flaws. I believe in our rule by law and, when needed, in our ability to peacefully change laws in a civilized, reasonable, constitutional manner. I believe that we are a people full of pride in our nation. Much of that pride comes from how we conduct ourselves when we win or when we lose an election. We do not want to resort to savagery, because we know the process of our democratic system will prevail. Eventually. I believe in our shared understanding that truth and justice ultimately not only will prevail but will increase our strength and compassion. I believe that our nation wants to lead the world not just in capital and power, but in lighting the beacon for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for all.
I believe in America.

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