Let’s get one thing out of the way right off the bat: The United States of America is not a perfect country. 

Sure, the U.S. has problems. Some of them, big ones.  

But what country doesn’t? 

As the presidential election approaches in November, we will get an earful about the problems facing our country. Politicians on both sides will be directing our attention to the biggest challenges, the biggest crises, the biggest difficulties in America today – with an underlying motive of telling us how and why THEIR candidate is the one who can fix it all.  

There’s a time and a place for examining what’s wrong and how we can make it better. Of course there is. 

But with Independence Day on our calendars for this week, we’d like to focus on the other side of the coin. We are in the middle of the most patriotic time of the year. 

Memorial Day, Flag Day and Juneteenth are in the rearview, and fan-favorite Fourth of July is right on top of us. If you haven’t unfurled your flag, strung up the bunting or purchased fireworks yet – well, now is the time. We are loving seeing the county draped in red, white and blue.  

We hope you’re taking this time to have – and show – pride in our country and honor everything it has taken to bring us to this point.  

We live in a great country, filled with blessings and assets that people in many countries can only dream of. Despite the negatives, we have so many positives we can be proud of. We have amazing freedoms, amazing opportunities, amazing prosperity.  

Let’s not neglect to embrace a patriotic spirit this summer. Be proud to be an American.