Donald Trump Junior tells us that he loves Russia. Well, I don’t love Russia. The only country I love is the United States of America. Why do I love America so much?

I love America because we Americans are blessed with material blessings. Unfortunately, most people in this world are poor when they are compared to us. If you are an American citizen, you are rich.

I love America because we are free to elect our leaders. Although I did not vote for Donald Trump, I am thankful that the American people were free to vote their conscience. In most countries, people do not have the freedom to decide who their representatives are.

Yes, I love America because we have religious freedom. We are free to worship as we please. I thank God that I am in a country where all of us can express our religious preferences.

Another reason I love America so much is that we Americans learn from our mistakes.  When I was growing up, I lived in a segregated society. Blacks did not have the same rights as Whites did.  Thanks to Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, President Kennedy, and many others, we now all have the same rights.

I love America because we have freedom of the press. Many politicians don’t like the news media because the media exposes their mistakes. Are members of the media perfect?  Of course not. But they are necessary to a democratic republic such as ours. Without their critique, our freedoms would be at risk.

Certainly, I love America because Americans in general believe that we should help the less fortunate.  I support Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security because these programs help a lot of people.   I do not want to kick those precious people out on the streets. I want them to continue receiving Medicaid.

I love America because we have freedom of speech. You are free to criticize the president, members of Congress, governors, state legislators, mayors.

Of all the blessings we have, this is one of the most important.

Last, I want to especially thank the men and women who died so that you and I can have all these freedoms and blessings. In my opinion every day should be Memorial Day.

Larry Summerour of Troup County is a retired pastor who enjoys political commentary.