America is a unique place. We only directly border two sovereign nations, and we are separated by thousands of miles of ocean from the others. We were also created fairly recently. John Tyler’s (10^th president of the US) grandchildren are still alive today. The countries of Britain, India, and China had precursor civilizations that had existed well over a thousand years before their modern government was established. Yet, the US Constitution is the oldest charter of government that is still in effect. The founding of the document coincided with the Age of Enlightenment. That era’s ideas of liberty and democracy were the guiding philosophy behind our government.

However, at the end of the day, the US Constitution is a piece of paper. For it to have any value, there must be citizens willing to uphold it. The original generation of Americans was not native to this land. The land’s original people were slaughtered and pushed away in a more shameful part of our history. Every country and every person has some dark past. It is the duty of the people and their country to grow and make the future better.

The American people have over its history perfected its image in upholding the values enshrined in the Constitution. The present is not perfect, but it is a utopia compared to our past.

The value of this democracy is reflected by the values of its people. We believe in hard work. We believe in family. We would give our neighbors the shirts from our backs because we know that life is difficult. We know that life is impossible if we do not tackle it together.

Why are these values American? Where do they come from? Values follow people wherever they go. Most people in America came from somewhere else. They were immigrants seeking a better life. Immigrants were willing to leave behind everything and everyone they knew to give themselves and their families a better chance at success. That requires bravery and work ethic. They put up with a lot because they love their families. They are kind to others because they know how hard life is.

Does this sound familiar? America is a nation of immigrants. Therefore, American values are immigrant values.