The market has wiped out the gains made since 2007. Conservatives lost ground in the Congress. We are watching as President-elect Barack H. Obama fills out his cabinet. Meanwhile four million folks are unemployed. We are beginning to know some of the unemployed. There is a global recession and danger of depression. After twenty-eight years of protecting the unborn we are facing the prospect of all or most of those restrictions being wiped away. I could go on.

 Thanksgiving is upon us. Despite any of these and other problems, we should approach this uniquely American holiday with a sense of profound gratitude. In fact, I would say in general Americans tend to lack gratitude. Many of us have developed an entitlement mentality. We expect that everything is supposed to get better and better. Our parents and grandparents know what it was like to live through a depression. They cautioned us that this never-ending prosperity had to end some time but we disregarded their warning. Economists with whom I have spoken, and in whom I have confidence, all predict a very deep recession. Our unemployment is at 6.4% and is likely to increase. During the Great Depression unemployment rose to 25%.

 Let us show gratitude that we live in the most decent nation ever founded by mankind. Whatever you think about President George W. Bush, let us be grateful that he kept us safe. Let us be grateful that Congress helps the unemployed with continued funds. Let us be thankful for the all-volunteer military, an outstanding group. Let us have gratitude that despite all the problems we still can worship as we please. Let us be grateful that we still have alternative media. True that there is a plan to do away with the alternative media but let us be grateful that we have the ability to fight this effort.

 Yes, more gratitude is truly needed. True that our freedoms have been curtailed. Yet we still have more freedom than almost everywhere in the world.  When we assemble for any purpose, unless we belong to some terrorist group we need not fear that government is watching us.  And let us be grateful that we are seeing an orderly transition from the President of one party to the President of another party. No tank in the streets, no one fearful of being killed. Let us be grateful too that for the most part we have honest elections. Yes, there were efforts to pollute the system but most such efforts were thwarted. The opposition party can plan a comeback and with limited exceptions can be assured it will be able to do so without major problems.

 The truth is we have so many things for which to be grateful it is difficult to enumerate them. As Thanksgiving approaches whatever else we do let us thank God that our families have an abundance of food while much of the world is starving. Let us thank God for America, which continues to be the home of the brave and the land of the free. 

 

Guest columns do not necessarily reflect the views of Accuracy in Media or its staff.

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