Parker wins Patriot’s Pen contest

––– What Makes America Great ––– Blake Parker, 8th grade

America is one of the best countries in the world. It has an abundance of freedoms that allow its inhabitants to live a life of privilege, compared to other countries. We have many things that make the United States of America an outstanding country to live in. Citizens have rights, housing, food, and healthcare. The justice system allows people to stick up for themselves. Our government is designed to never be a tyranny. These things, among many others, are part of why this country is so great.

In America, the Bill of Rights allows citizens to have power in the government, and it gives them protection.

There are many freedoms on the Bill of Rights, the freedom of speech, for example, allows people to protest against things they do not agree with.

In some countries, peaceful protests can get you killed or thrown in jail.

Other things the citizens of America have are homeless shelters, food banks, and the Affordable Care Act.

Homeless shelters give people without homes places to stay and warm food to eat.

Food banks allow people to get free or marked down food.

The Affordable Care Act allows citizens to have access to free healthcare if needed.

All of these things allow people to survive, thrive and prosper in America.

The court system in America is set up with the people in mind.

In court, you are judged either by a judge, or a group of randomly selected citizens called the jury.

This ensures, as well as taking an oath, that the whole affair will be settled justly and fairly.

The government has a system that also has the people in mind, and makes sure that any of the three branches of government can’t be more powerful than the others.

The branches have to decide together on bills, laws, and other things.

This helps ensure that no unfair or unjust laws or bills get passed.

In some countries, any law can be passed, regardless of the fairness of it.

America’s justice system and government system is designed to be fair.

The United States of America has many freedoms and liberties that some other countries do not. While there is always room to improve, America, arguably, doesn’t need much improvement compared to some countries. Aren’t you glad you get to live here?