I’m thankful to live in a country where our transfer of power is bloodless and still somewhat civilized.  Yesterday, many of us undertook our civic duty to elect our representatives to Washington, and while some of us are disappointed by the direction, it occurred legally and for the most part without fraud.  Today, there aren’t tanks patrolling the streets to keep us indoors, and there aren’t armed mobs roaming the streets destroying property and burning down cities.  We voted, those votes were tallied, and the losers step to the side peacefully.  They may begin planning strategies for the next election cycle, but they do so without an armed insurrection.

That’s what makes this country so strong and so amazing.  If you don’t like the results of this election, work harder to win the next one.  If the people you voted for this time around don’t live up to your expectations, replace them in two, four, or six years.  I’m thankful to live in a country and within a system that allows us the freedom to choose our government officials, and if you don’t like the people who are running for office you have the opportunity to either run yourself or find someone you do like.  Our system is the model for how a Democratic-Republic should be structured, and I’m thankful for the thoughtfulness of people like Jefferson, Hamilton, Adams, and the many others who worked through their differences to develop a framework for government that has survived well over 200 years.

I am thankful to be an American.