LOVING AMERICA

Americans are a proud lot.

We love our country, arguably the richest and most powerful nation on Earth.

But what is it that makes the United States of America so great?

Some would say it is our democratic institutions. Polls show Americans think we have the best form of government, warts and all.

That doesn't mean we like our politicians. Americans have a healthy skepticism about their political leaders, which isn't surprising for a nation that was founded on the promise of political and economic freedom.

Deep down, our love of our nation is rooted in an unabashed love of liberty and the individual pursuit of happiness.

Our cherished Declaration of Independence even talks abut the pursuit of happiness as an unalienable right.

In our daily lives that happiness is housed in our everyday world. It's in what we see, hear, taste and smell as we travel around our neighborhoods. It's in our friendships. It's part of our landscape at work, school and home.

So what's great about America? Lots of things, big and small. Here's 50 of them, as in no particular order as suggested by the journalistic crew at the Southeast Missourian.

We actually had many more than are printed here. There's plenty to love about a country whose scenic landscape offers up everything from glaciers to deserts. From the Florida Everglades to Mount McKinley, this nation's terrain is a varied tapestry, full of infinite Kodak moments.

Political scientists may be alarmed, but there are no presidents on our list, living or dead. They were displaced by people like Mark Twain, Michael Jordan, Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley.

Ultimately, there are no right or wrong answers. As we approach the Fourth of July, we offer this list as food for thought. Maybe it will inspire you to make your own list of what you love about America from sea to shining sea.

1. baseball

2. the Mississippi River

3. blue jeans

4. the 57 Chevy

5. Mount Rushmore

6. Route 66

7. French fries

8. A free press

9. the French Quarter

10. air conditioning

11. Coca-Cola

12. rock 'n' roll

13. John Wayne westerns

14. two-car garages

15. microwave ovens

16. Barbie dolls

17. theater seating

18. bar-and-grill cheeseburgers

19. iMACs

20. hot dogs

21. California surf

22. Disney movies

23. all-you-can-eat shrimp dinners

24. Elvis Presley

25. football

26. old barns

27. cold beer

28. outlet malls

29. home-delivered pizza

30. jazz

31. the Bill of Rights

32. Tabasco ties

33. freedom of speech

34. Fourth of July fireworks

35. Grand Canyon

36. fall foliage in New England

37. fried chicken

38. The smell of rain in the Smoky Mountains

39. Michael Jordan

40. Sunday comics

41. Star Wars

42. Mark Twain

43. Country churches

44. Aretha Franklin

45. wildflowers

46. drive-through restaurants

47. Old Glory

48. the Statue of Liberty

49. Rocky Mountain streams

50. Front-porch swings