Letter: A trip to the bright side of living in America

To the editor:

The United States isn’t perfect – but it is incredibly special. And I hope you feel lucky that we get to experience what it is like to live here.

After listening to Jimmy Carter’s “Crisis of Confidence” speech (available on YouTube), may this trip to the bright side help us all to remember some of the simple things that are great about America. Let’s start with:

• Parents. In my humble opinion, people who raise their children well — teaching them respect for others, self-control, honesty, gratitude, cooperation – are the most important people in our country.
• Teachers. Following in importance, educators are our country’s next most valuable asset. In addition to subject matter, they act as mentors, supporters, advisers, counselors, disciplinarians, coaches and surrogate caregivers, loving their students like a parent would.
• National parks.
• Diverse landscapes — deserts, mountains, lakes and everything in between.
• Diverse cultures. When we left Texas, after living there for over 30 years, my four kids felt grateful for having grown up and gone to school with kids from many different countries, many different cultures. Here in Alexandria, we want to continue to welcome all people from wherever they come from.
• Educational choice — public schools, home school, private schools, charter schools, magnet schools, virtual schools.
• Wildlife. At our home on Lake Ida, we are privileged to see deer, wild turkeys, an occasional fox, rabbits, over 26 different kinds of birds including eagles, and fish.
• Google.
• Opportunities to experience the arts — music, theater, artists of all kinds.
• Community Education and Senior College.
• Fun festivals and events all year long.
• Trees.
• Lakes.
• Freedom to choose.
• The Constitution.

Ruthie Schultz
Alexandria, MN