What are the pros and cons to being an American?

Answer 1

Since the benefits of being a citizen of the United States of America are often spoken about, let's first consider some of the cons of being a US American. Being born into a democratic society in which every person is protected under the Bill of Rights and The US Constitution:

1. It can be difficult for most Americans to imagine people's lives in other countries and cultures where people have few individual rights.
2. It is very frightening to Americans to hear that governments in other countries exercise what seems to be "extreme" controls over citizens.
3. In part because we are born into a society with individual rights, we can often take for granted that we can read whatever we want, travel freely within the US, own weapons, vote, talk against our leaders and our government without being killed, can protest and take up causes, etc.
4. Because some of us take our rights for granted, we fail to be active in our political system. fail to vote, fail to continue fighting injustices in our own country, etc. (for example, Hunger in America; Elder Abuse; lack of health services for certain groups).
5. Because we take rights for granted, ironically, we do not always see when our leaders are trying to erode our rights. While we value individualism, ironically, we have less experience in community activism toward fighting against having our rights reduced. We individuals feel alone and unable to take on "the system".
6. Since many Americans don't pay attention to politics, small numbers of voters elect officials that the rest of us don't like and don't want elected. Then, people complain when politicians try to hoodwink us through their rhetoric.
7. Because of the size of our country, and being raised in a mostly English-speaking country, most adults in the US expect English to be the sole language (and it is currently the International Language). Our colonial roots were a melting pot of immigrants and cultures, but we've lost touch with differences between countries. Smaller European countries, with neighboring countries so close, their citizens must learn other countries' languages. Most other countries teach grade school children English and other languages.
8. Americans are accused by many that we want to Americanize the world, and seek to democratize other countries. Americans are often called on to help other nations in need or at war, but our help is also resented because America is perceived as desiring to make other countries live by our rules, our standards, our democratic / republic beliefs, which many Americans believe are improved or superior to other countries' ways.

The pros of being born in America or becoming a citizen of America seem numerous.

1. We enjoy many freedoms and 'birth rights' just because we live here.
2. Government does not control what we read, watch on TV, who we talk to, associate with, how many children we have, where we live, our choice of occupations, how we think, etc.
3. We can vote for Mr. Politician----and the next day, criticize that person. Along with our birth rights, we have the priviledge of being 'fickle' and second guessing ourselves.
4. We thrive under capitalism, where small businesses grow alongside corporations.
5. We can cross state borders without telling anyone why; if we wanted, we could walk, run or drive repeatedly back and forth across State borders all day long and no one would care (except maybe local police).
6. We have numerous State and Federally funded programs, if elligible to receive the services or money.
7. Besides hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes in some States, the US is relatively free of natural diasters. Our country is expanisive, with many areas protected against development.
8. Our healthcare is crappy, but is still far above many other countries' services.

There are probably many other cons and pros that are omitted here.

Answer 2

First, there is not an "American" flag. There are many flags in the Americas, one for each country. The United States is in North America, as is Canada and Mexico. Then there are Central America and South America...

The US flag has many patriotic "pros" to the citizens and residents of the USA. It represents our first 13 states founded out of a Colony of British rule on July 4th 1776. The USA is the largest economy in the world, and one of the few countries that many foreigners wish to visit or to live in. The US flag has represented "freedom" and "liberty" from the earliest times.

The "cons" associated with the US flag tend to be the resentment of our giant global economy, our global military and financial power, and our interference in other country's affairs. Some say we have way too many stars on our flag (one for each of the 50 states).