Give thanks, we have much to be thankful for

Given the state of the world in November 2008, it would be easy to be depressed. It’s only natural to look around at the state of our economy,  the terror attacks happening around the glob, our dwindling supply of oil, failing companies, and rising unemployment and fear for the future. In short, this Thanksgiving it would be expected to be more worried than thankful.

And, while all of those concerns are legitimate, we should take a moment to consider all that we have to be thankful for.

Consider that after an almost 2 year bitterly fought campaign, a near record number of Americans went to the polls to vote for their candidate for president, governor, senator, and representative. It was a peaceful election. No blood was shed. No one was illegitimately barred from voting. No one was jailed. In many other places around the world, an election without violence and intimidation is a dream. In America it is a right. We should be thankful.

Consider that in two months we will transfer power from one political party to another. It will happen in an orderly, peaceful fashion. No coups will happen. No leader will be forced into exile. No armies will be called up. Again, in other corners of this rough planet, one or all of those things would have to happen for a party or leader to give up power. But, in America the outgoing president and president-elect will have coffee on Inauguration Day. They’ll shake hands and then drive together to the US Capitol. That’s where the new president will take the oath of office. We will have transitioned from one leader to another, from one party to another in the most civilized way possible. We should be thankful.

Consider that since September 11, 2001, we have not had one attack on American soil. Yes, there have been plots to disrupt our lives, our financial system, our government. But all of them were thwarted. Think back to that day seven years ago. Who would have thought that in 2008 we would be attack free? I sure didn’t. But, that’s exactly what happened. We should be thankful.

As a country, we have many problems to address. The solutions to those problems won’t come easy and they will likely take a long time to fully implement. No doubt, we will feel more pain before we are fully recovered. But, just remember how much worse it could be. Remember that while our system may be flawed, it fundamentally works. Remember that generations of men and women have given their lives for us to live in this country, for us to be free. Remember that men and women are still dying for those rights. Remember that we still live in the greatest country on earth, the greatest country in history.

Yes, we have much to be thankful for.