1776 + 250 = 2026

 I think America became a great country because it was first populated by people who left their homeland with nothing but what they could carry and risked an ocean voyage to a place they had never seen with other people they never knew.  That's a commitment!  A brave courageous undertaking.  They were all-in!

The main reason:  Hope.  Hope that freedom would exist and persist.  Hope that life  would be better.  Hope that the land would produce food.  Hope that their religious beliefs would be tolerated.  Hope that there would be no tyrannical ruler.  Hope that they could determine their own destiny. These people were willing to die fighting the British to maintain that vision.

Every year, almost 1 million people from around the world apply for citizenship in our country.  Most recently, 80 - 90% of those are approved.  In addition, our country gives out about 55,000 immigrant visas (green cards) each year to the 20 million people who apply for them.  

This is a great country and the world knows it.  No matter how many faults you find with it, they cannot compare to all the positives.  In God we trust.

(Don't listen so much to what our leaders say but watch what they do.)