Karen Walter originally wrote this piece as a letter for her family, and some encouraged her to submit it to the newspaper.
WESTMINSTER-Why I am a democratic American patriot:
• You must know that our democracy was formed after many immigrants of many years had to go to war to ward off British tyrants. The Revolutionary War provided the opportunity for Americans to work to write the Constitution and begin a democratic experimental government.
• To this day there is a good reason that desperate people at great peril, as well as those wanting freedom, will give up everything to come to America.
Many fear starvation, death, torture, or imprisonment and are looking for a chance to live in peace and freedom, a place to work and provide for their families.
America and other democratic countries could answer their prayers.
• Our country has been good to my family; I am a strong democratic patriot because of the opportunities we have been given through the sacrifices of others and the taxes we all pay.
My great-great-grandfather fought in the Civil War at the Battle of Shiloh; a great uncle and my father-in-law served in World War I; many uncles and one of my husbands served in World War II, an uncle and brother-in-law served in the Korean War, my brother in Vietnam, and a nephew in the Gulf War; several others served in peacetime.
All of this from one family, we understood the need to keep our democracy strong.
• Because of these people, my family has enjoyed a fine middle-class life here in America. Both of my husbands took advantage of the GI Bill to continue their educations. The Federal Housing Administration provided low-interest loans for housing to veterans returning from war.
I know that the housing program was not available to all veterans due to racism in our country. At that time, however, because of democracy, that has improved through work in the Congress and Senate. We must improve and change laws. We have more work to do.
• As teachers, my first husband and I were able to educate six children by attending very-well-funded public schools, by attending state colleges, and with the help of two Pell Grants and academic awards.
With generous donations by colleagues and friends, my daughters received funds for college after he died at age 36. Our government also provided a widow's benefit to me to help until my daughters were 18.
How is that for extraordinary support from friends, state and federal government taxes? In 1975 teacher's salaries were in need of an increase; around that time our teacher's union negotiated for better salaries.
• Through the years we traveled to learn, see, and experience our national and state parks, visiting nearly every state via our extensive National Highway System - thanks to the initiative of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
• I am now enjoying the benefits of Medicare and Social Security which I paid into - programs that can remain solvent with a few changes by our federal government.
• Living in a democratic country gives us all the chance to make improvements or new laws for everyone's benefit. Just think of the many institutions and endowments that our taxes provide: National Institute of Science, Older Americans Act, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), National Endowment for the Arts, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Department of Education, and our military.
• My family has never protested paying our fair share of taxes. I feel our government needs to work on the "fair share" part.
A democracy allows us a vote to maintain and/or improve our systems. Please vote for democracy!
This Voices Viewpoint was submitted to The Commons.
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